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
    2016-04-11T20:38:56+00:00

    Doesn't work.

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  2. Anonymous
    2016-04-11T18:55:36+00:00

    I run several flavors of Linux on several computers. I even run Ubuntu Server on my Amazon cloud server -- instead of the Windows available.  I AM formatting this b***h tonight. Absolutely. I'm tired of the **** this OS puts me through. I've run Linux for years and even my wife who isn't technical wants me to format her system.

    Hey, Linux doesn't even stop you from turning on or off your computer when updates are available/updating... Yes, this can be turned off in Windblows (and it sure is!) but I shouldn't have to turn it off...

    Windows tell me 'No!' too often. Linux does once and a while, and that gets on my nerves, but at least I can FIX IT in Linux. Two hours with Windows and.... still no fix or proper answer.

    This is THE ABSOLUTE WORST Windows I have EVER used and I've used all versions since 3.1. I've used Windows NT, ME (Millennium Edition), 95, 98, XP, Vista, 7, 8.1, and my wife's 10. Windows 10 is what 8 SHOULD have been, except for the nagware... All that said, 8 is the worst, followed by Vista. 10 is third.

    And, hey, don't forget all the SPYWARE MS has in 8.1 & 10. Yes, there actually is, contrary to press release. I've found several. MS can SEE YOU, not just your desktop. MS can HEAR YOU, not just what you're hearing. Imagine, you're having an intimate moment with someone, your laptop's lid is open as you put your work on hold, and while you're (well, I don't need to describe that) MS can SEE and HEAR you while you're both in your home, in the same room as your laptop (or desktop, whichever). Hurry, close that lid, turn the computer off, or put tape on the camera and mic. I have a cover I made for mine. I also turned every spy-type ware off that I could find.

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  3. Anonymous
    2016-02-27T04:15:48+00:00

    I tried several suggestions from this thread and an older, locked thread that dated back to 2010. One of the suggestions there (from 2010) was to empty the recycle bin. I did that and was finally able to move a folder. My OS is windows 8.1 I installed a couple months ago, and the problem cropped up just this past week a couple times.

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  4. Anonymous
    2016-02-11T14:13:49+00:00

    I have been using "unlocker", it works great but occasionally Unlocker needs to unlock or delete the file on the next boot

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