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.

0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
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.

Was this answer helpful?

90+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments

193 additional answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2015-08-24T15:06:22+00:00

    Similar to a previous suggestion, try this:

    go to:

    Windows explorer

    Organize

    View tab

    then disable "show preview handlers in preview pane"

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2015-08-12T12:32:08+00:00

    Windows can't find "gpedit"

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2015-08-12T12:07:40+00:00

    Finally, after several months suffering this and trying every workaround, I found something that has really stopped the annoying message and that should help everyone that is seeing this error when they shouldn't, specially those who need/want to see the Preview Pane and thumbnails instead of the icons:

    1 Run gpedit (type run on Windows start menu, click on app result, type gpedit)

    2 On the left pane go to User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > File Explorer

    3 Click on File Explorer and on the right pane, right click on "turn off the caching of thumbnails in hidden thumbs.db files" > Edit > Enabled > Ok

    4 Reboot.

    Voila! I can rename, move and delete any file or folder as much as I want, as fast as I need...

    Dear friend,

    it is denying me access and shows the list with little red dots with an x in the middle.

    This is a administrator user ... any ideas?

    thank you

    B

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2015-08-09T19:26:58+00:00

    It isn't.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments