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
    2013-11-30T11:06:21+00:00

    What is Windows 8 view toolbar ?

    In microsoft word? internet explorer? where is it?

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  2. Anonymous
    2013-11-30T04:02:57+00:00

    It seems Windows Explorer is the program that has the folder open, which won't allow Windows Explorer to delete the folder.  Not only does the right hand not know what the left hand is doing, it seems to be blocking it!

    I found an easy workaround that doesn't require changing settings.

    Choose another subfolder in the directory list and press "Ctrl-C" to act as if you are going to copy the folder.  This somehow changes the focus of Windows Explorer away from the folder you can't delete. 

    Next, right-click the folder that you couldn't delete, and it more than likely be gracefully dispatched to the Recycle Bin.

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  3. Anonymous
    2013-11-19T23:57:54+00:00

    I agree with wakenight (and thank you!). While this is not a permanent fix, it is the shortest, easiest, and "least costly" of them all!

    You can close and re-open without having to shut everything down, re-start, etc.

    Besides that, the next best thing is come into a ton of money and switch to Apple. Hey, that's greeeeaaatt...

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  4. Anonymous
    2013-11-18T15:41:09+00:00

    well i did say it was a workaround idn't it? I'm just a user... who came here in rage, like you presumably, in search of a fix. Seeing that there were none, I offered what is, from what I can tell, the simplest workaround on here thus far. "We can all feel good?"... Hope shouting at me does that for you MAFury.

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