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

2016-07-16T03:57:14+00:00

I'm not sure if this helps but I have been following advises like disabling preview pane, holding ****+del and downloading 3rd party programs just to terminate those nasty pdfs but still to no avail.

So I've tried terminating adobe from the background (on task manager expand to more details & end task) then waited a bit. Till I can finally delete those documents one by one. Phew!
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Anonymous

2016-06-14T09:36:33+00:00
One alternative (worked for me)->

After following above steps 1 , 2 and 3 , if Adobe reader stops preview of pdf file , install Foxit Reader and follow these steps:

Foxit works with Windows Explorer Preview. Please try to re-associate the "Preview PDF in Windows Explorer" as following and see if it helps:
1. Please open Foxit, then go under "File"->"Preferences"->"File Associations"->"Advanced", uncheck "Include preview when setting default PDF viewer" then click on "OK".
2. Please click on "Restore File Associations";
3. Again, please go under "File"->"Preferences"->"File Associations"->"Advanced", check "Include preview when setting default PDF viewer"->"OK" then click on "Make Default PDF Viewer" as default PDF Reader.
Now you can delete any pdf file , there will be no error like "can't delete File in use by another program" .

Preview of file also maintainedfoxit reader have some additional advantages also.
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Anonymous

2016-05-31T18:12:01+00:00

When you are viewing a library, at the top of the page do you have FILE COMPUTER or VIEW tabs? If you can find VIEW (how you view details, ie preview, large icons, medium icons etc. Look for Preview Pane around the top left of the page and change if to Details Pane or anything other than Preview Pane. Once you cannot see the contents of a file when you hover over it with the mouse you should be able to just delete it as normal. I'm sure these options at the top of the page are the same in other versions of Windows. This below in in Preview Pane. Hope this helps
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Anonymous

2016-05-31T09:54:16+00:00

For me this problem existed in Win7 as well on some computers but with Win10, it is all our office computers. The problem extends to files that I edit in Acrobat and then try to save. I get an error that the file is in use and I must choose a different name. This is not limited to reader but full Acrobat as well.
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