A user asked me in comment section that when he is trying to delete a folder, an error message appears saying The action cannot be completed because the file is open in another program. If you are also facing this problem, here are some quick working fixes for this problem.
Table of Contents
Fix 1 – The action cannot be completed because the file is open in another program
1. Press Window key + R to open run.
2. Write resmon.exe in it and Click OK.
3. Now, Click on CPU tab.
4. Click on Associated Handles.
5. Now, Search the folder name or file name in the search handles box.
6. Right click on the process from the list and Choose end process. (Note that path of your folder is visible below Handle name)
Now, Go ahead and try again. You will face absolutely no problem.
Fix 2 – Restart Windows Explorer
1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc together on your keyboard to Open task manager.
2. Locate Windows explorer, right click on it and Choose Restart.
Fix 3 – Disable Controlled folder access
1. Press Windows key + S key together from keyboard and search windows security.
2. Click on Windows security from the search result.
3. Click on Virus & Threat protection.
4. Click on manage settings under Virus & Threat protection settings.
5. Click on manage controlled folder access under controlled folder access.
6. Turn off Controlled folder access.
Fix 4 – Disable Preview Pane
If by anyhow , you have enabled preview pane , Just disable it and try again.
Just Press Alt+P together to disable it if it is enabled. OR alternatively, you can just click on View and then click on Preview pane to disable it.
Fix 5 – Optimize the Drive in Which you created the Folder
1. Right Click on the drive in which you created the Folder.
2. Choose Properties.
3. Click on Tools Tab.
4. Choose Optimize.
Saurav is associated with IT industry and computers for more than a decade and is writing on The Geek Page on topics revolving on windows 10 and softwares.
Admin says
A recent Windows10 Update left the following: C:\$RECYCLE.BIN\NewOS\, containing hundreds of all the folders and files standard in the Windows OS. I took Ownership of all of it. Then using an Administrator-level DOS box, I issued commands like: “ERASE /S/Q/F C:\$RECYCLE.BIN\NewOS\Users\*.*” Nothing worked. I then applied BCWipe and let it clean out all of it after a Restart. POOF! All gone. Lesson: next time just use BCWipe.
Sabeen says
Fix 1 worked perfectly !
thanks !
John says
there is an easier way, just close Outlook, the file is locked because of some dumb MSFT reason connected with Outlook… you do not have to do all of the above… I have fought this problem for years and finally discovered it… try it.
Shani says
Fix 1 worked perfectly – thank you SO much!
Christopher says
Have you tried this :https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ivp20PRsOuI
Abood says
Hi and thank you for your Support which is highly appreciated .
I have this problem : recycle bin on drive C is corrupted windows 10
I tried reading online so many time to be able to solve this issue but no success
can you please help us on this matter ?
all the best