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
    2015-10-31T16:35:42+00:00

    I don't know about other people's problem with moving files and invoking that error, but as for deleting files, I believe King Computer Solution's post:

    "In windows 8 in the view toolbar Press the Preview pane to turn preview pane off"

    is the best solution.

    I think a good question to ask, maybe to narrow it down: Is "Preview Pane" active when the message is received by those performing the action that invokes the message?"

    This may be why Microsoft doesn't address it, because there's a solution and they probably figure that someone knows, or will eventually figure out and pass the word through these forums. Such as King Computer Solutions has done.

    It really was that simple. It was driving me nuts as well. After reading KCS's response it then made perfect sense. Because to be able to give a preview the file has to be "read," thereby invoking the message if an action is attempted on the file. For example, before finding this solution, I found that if I closed all of the folders, or the folder that the file was in, then the action would perform.

    Anyway, enough of my long-winded reply. Thanks for sharing KCS!!!

    P.S. I do think that's a valid question, so as to see if there's a common denominator with the issues. So again, to everyone with this problem: Is "Preview Pane" active when the message is received by those performing the action that invokes the message?" 

    And if it is try making it inactive, perform the action again, and report back whether that solved the issue or not. I'm curious to know.

    Cheers!

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  2. Anonymous
    2015-10-21T19:05:30+00:00

    Silly that we have to do this every time in happens.

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  3. Anonymous
    2015-10-21T11:09:58+00:00

    restart and try again it will work !!

    You mean... restart it every time I want to move a file....you seem to be one of the Microsoft guys hahahaha

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  4. Anonymous
    2015-10-01T19:38:01+00:00

    do you need to wear an orange hat with no brim, have two pennies in your left pocket, and chant in ancient aramaic at the same time??  how did you figure out your solution would work  props to you and, why can't they just fix it to microsoft??

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