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

2016-03-03T23:04:25+00:00

I was directed to this discussion about 8 months ago with the same problem. I've been watching the discussion ever since, thanks to the process set up by MS. One of the comments even seemed to be written by an MS authority watching the discussion.

I learned 2 useful things from all those comments: First, the easiest work around is to highlight the file, press and hold Shift while pressing Delete [Shift-Delete]. Say yes to the pop up and the file is deleted. I have since used this reliably on many occasions.

Second, referring this Explorer defect to a user community is an annoying abdication of responsibility. Why not fix the problem? MS suffocated all the competing file management programs out of existence, they should responsibly take ownership and fix the defect.

A related problem is that Explorer won't let you rename a folder if it (erroneous) perceives that a file is open in the folder. These things interfere with using the program for its intended purpose.

Why does MS let their customers thrash around in the dark? Just fix it so it functions as intended!
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Anonymous

2016-03-03T21:09:28+00:00

I suggest that Microsoft to determine where this is going wrong: If Explorer isn't telling Acrobat to release the file so it can be deleted, then Microsoft can fix that. On the other hand, if Explorer is telling Acrobat to release the file and it just isn't releasing it, then Adobe needs to fix their bug. I suspect it's the latter case, because I haven't seen this problem in File Explorer when deleting other kinds of file with preview turned on.

I agree with the other posters that workaround of turning off preview pane before deleting pdf's works - it's just inefficient if I'm using preview to decide what files to delete.
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Anonymous

2016-02-22T05:20:36+00:00

All I do now is go into VIEW and top left click to DETAIILS PANE, delete pdf file then re-click PREVIEW PANE each time

Yes I was aware of this fix but it doesn't always work.

Swapping in and out of the preview pane is a pain, pardon the pun.

A permanent fix to this problem would be greatly appreciated as I am continually creating PDF documents out of single page PDF docs therefore needing to delete the single pages. It is a real pain.
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Anonymous

2016-02-19T21:09:37+00:00

All I do now is go into VIEW and top left click to DETAIILS PANE, delete pdf file then re-click PREVIEW PANE each time
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