Can not delete PDF files in Windows File Explorer

Anonymous
2013-11-19T14:25:27+00:00

I am reviewing files in Windows File Explorer with the Preview Pane active so I can see what the file is. When I want to delete a file I do right click/Delete or use the Delete button on the Ribbon. However, when I come to a PDF file that I no longer need I can't delete it. I get a message that says "File in Use". "This action can't be completed because the file is open in another program. Close the File and try again." 

If I click "try again" sometimes after 4 or 5 tries the file finally is deleted. It seems that with the Preview Pane active File Explorer thinks the PDF is open in another program. How do I fix this problem so I can delete PDFs in Windows File Explorer with the Preview Pane active?

Thanks for all the suggestions. The one that fits my work flow well is Amr's .

"Simply choose the file with your mouse, hold down the shift button then click on "Delete".

It will permanently delete the file, which is fine."

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

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Anonymous
2015-04-07T14:33:23+00:00

Hi Jerry,

Thank you for posting in Microsoft community.

This issue might occur if any third party program is accessing the file.In regards to the issue, I require additional information to make sure that helps us to resolve the issue easily:

  1. How are you trying to delete these files?

As a first step, I suggest you to restart the computer multiple times and check if that works. Because, restarting computer will close the applications that are running in the background and fixes many issues.

I also suggest you to refer the suggestion provided by Tomfly13 on April 29, 2013 and check if it helps.

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_8-files/unable-to-delete-pdf-in-windows-8/39f9ddad-a8df-42d0-a404-eaedf381993f

Please reply us on the status of the issue to assist you further

Thanks.

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  1. Anonymous
    2014-12-05T22:01:14+00:00

    Has anyone found a permanent fix for this issue?  I am using the fix above for now but with 60 + users this has become a nightmare....

    Alan

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-12-04T14:07:32+00:00

    I find his works some of the time and waiting 15 seconds doesn't help. I've done everything from navigate away, wait two minutes, close previews, etc and it is persistent. I'm confident Adobe knows at this point but chooses to do nothing about it. The only sure way to do it is to close the Preview pane and then reboot. This releases the file. With Office 365 I will do what I can to no use Adobe for this reason alone.

    Adobe are you listening?

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  3. Anonymous
    2014-10-23T16:46:39+00:00

    There is another method to delete and that is through command prompt. It works

    If I change the name of acrord32.exe then I can't see previews. In that case, deleting is possible only if I don't have the preview feature. right?

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  4. Anonymous
    2014-10-20T06:39:45+00:00

    Alt+Ctrl+Del to open Task Manager, then click Processes tab, you'll need to delete all AcroRd32.exe *32 under 'Image Name.'  After all that, you can rename or delete your pdf file.

    For my computer, so far, this is a one time thing to do (while the computer is on).

    Hope this helps!

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