the action can't be completed because the folder or a file in it is open in another program

Anonymous
2013-03-21T10:22:13+00:00

this is annoying

the files or folders in question are not open in another program, windows is just refusing to let them be moved or deleted due a recent action ie: photographs moved elsewhere etc

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Files, folders, and storage

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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Anonymous
2013-03-21T10:43:05+00:00

This may also be helpful:

Open Windows explorer.

Click ‘Organize -> Folder and search options’ (or ‘View -> Folder options’).

Select the ‘View’-tab.

In the ‘Advanced settings’ window, disable ‘Launch folder windows in a separate process’.

You may need to force restart all explorer instances (via task manager) or reboot your computer if the setting is not applied immediately.

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  1. Anonymous
    2015-05-02T21:04:16+00:00

    they should name the next OS, "windows not responding"!!! haha

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  2. Anonymous
    2015-05-02T20:47:14+00:00

    Most if not all of these suggestions have been covered, in some cases several times.

    I seriously doubt any solution will arrive unless it comes directly from MS, I also believe that solution won't happen until Windows 10...

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  3. Anonymous
    2015-05-02T17:53:33+00:00

    This may also be helpful:

    Open Windows explorer.

    Click ‘Organize -> Folder and search options’ (or ‘View -> Folder options’).

    Select the ‘View’-tab.

    In the ‘Advanced settings’ window, disable ‘Launch folder windows in a separate process’.

    You may need to force restart all explorer instances (via task manager) or reboot your computer if the setting is not applied immediately.

    i looked in my settings for your suggestion and that option was already disabled.  it does not seem to help.  it seems like the bug should be easy to fix.  if a file closes, there should be something in the code of the operating system that recognizes that it closes.  the operating system recognizes that it is open, so how hard would it be for the operating system to recognize that it is closed?  they should put some timer that can tell when a file closes.. if it does not completely close for some reason and x amount of time elapses, an error message pops up and gives the user the option to "hard close" it.    Is microsoft reading any of these threads?

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  4. Anonymous
    2015-05-01T16:10:46+00:00

    What ive been doing lately i closing the window that contains the folders that wont move then reopeni g that same window. Then im able to move those folders.  Its kinda a pain but no more then any of these other remedies most of which dont work anyway.

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