Can not delete PDF files in Windows File Explorer

Anonymous

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."

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

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:

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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86 additional answers

Anonymous

2016-01-04T21:11:52+00:00

Microsoft uses the process of elimination method, I believe this applies to all developers/programmers/engineers when they create a fix.

Though this problem is a big issue for all users in general, complaining isn't going to make the solution to get a fix any quicker. If it was that easy to get it fixed, then anyone could have created a fix.
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Anonymous

2016-01-14T21:26:13+00:00

I use Foxit PDF Viewer and I am able to delete files from Explorer just fine without turning off Preview Pane. I believe the fault lies with the Adobe PDF Viewer, not with Microsoft Windows. Microsoft cannot guarantee that every 3rd party product will behave well in Windows. So, in this case I believe we can point the finger at Adobe. So, one solution is to use a free PDF viewer that behaves better in Windows. https://www.foxitsoftware.com/downloads/

Just make sure that you set Foxit PDF Viewer to be the default viewer after installing it. Otherwise, Windows will still use the Adobe viewer for the Preview Pane.

Hope this helps!
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Anonymous

2016-01-14T23:53:28+00:00

I agree that it is more of an Adobe problem than a Microsoft issue. Your solution may work for people who do not need all the functionality of Acrobat be we not only need to preview the files but open and edit the files content.
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Anonymous

2016-01-19T23:35:41+00:00

While this works I still find it annoying to have to turn off the preview pane every time I want to delete a file.

Quiet often I will scroll down a list of files in a folder with the preview pane on to see what is in the file, if I don't want to keep it I have to turn of the preview pane first. Pardon the pun but what a pane (pain).

How can I delete the file with the preview pane on?

I am using File explorer in Windows 10
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