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CANNOT delete, move, or rename folders in Windows 7 x64 Ultimate. The Folder is in use?!

Anonymous
2010-12-22T02:21:30+00:00

I have Win 7 x64 Ultimate and this problem is driving me crazy. Not on a domain, as it's my home PC. I'm the administrator. I constantly am greeted with "Folder in Use" error when trying to delete a folder regardless of location on my hard drives. Many of these folders are completely empty, including the thumbs.db file. Nothing is there. Yet I can't delete it, rename it, move it.

What is the explanation for this? It's totally unacceptable, especially for an IT professional. We don't just accept these things. We have to investigate and investigate because it drives us up the wall. I've found lots of others with the same problem, yet no solutions.

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

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  1. Anonymous
    2010-12-29T16:00:06+00:00

    Hello TheCIOTulsa,

    This issue can be caused by the security software running on your computer. I suggest that you set your computer to clean boot and check if you are able to delete the folders.

    a.     Click Start, type msconfig in the Start Search box, and then press ENTER.

    b.     If you are prompted for an administrator password or for a confirmation, type the password, or click Continue.

    c.       On the General tab, click Selective Startup.

    d.      Under Selective Startup, click to clear the Load Startup Items check box.

    e.     Click the Services tab, click to select the Hide All Microsoft Services check box, and then click Disable All.

    f.        Click OK.

    g.      When you are prompted, click Restart.

    After the computer starts, check if the issue is fixed, then follow the steps mentioned in the following KB article to narrow down the exact source:

    http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135

    You can also set the computer to normal startup once you determine the service causing the issue. See the section on how return your computer to a Normal startup mode by following the steps under “Reset the computer to start as usual” in the above article.

    You can also try to disable the Security software on your computer temporarily and check if you have the same issue.

    Note: Please make sure that you enable the antivirus software after performing the test to keep your computer protected.

    Thanks,

    Irfan H, Microsoft Answers Support Engineer. Visit ourMicrosoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think.

    2 people found this answer helpful.
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  1. Anonymous
    2011-06-06T03:52:34+00:00

    I noticed i have the same issue, after reading the first reply i decided to try to turn off the real time file protection in Microsoft Security Essentials and voila.. all sorted.

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  2. Anonymous
    2010-12-22T20:53:16+00:00

    The first solution let me delete the desktop folder, but I still had major issues moving or deleting folders in My Documents. Booting in Safe Mode fixed that, but I can't boot to SM every time I want to move or delete a folder. What causes this? What has these folders locked?

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  3. Anonymous
    2010-12-22T19:15:55+00:00

    I have Windows 7 Ultimate x64. No not all my folders have thumbnails or even the hidden thumbs.db file. I'm staring at a completely empty folder on my desktop right now that will not go away. It happens elsewhere like in My Documents. I'm trying to organize my folders in a better way and some of them will NOT move to another location due to the same error "Folder in Use". I have no other programs open at the time.

    I have a HomeGroup but my desktop is not shared and I have only shared My Pictures and My Music.

    I will try your suggestions and let you know what happens.

    Thank you.

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  4. Anonymous
    2010-12-22T17:18:27+00:00

    Hello TheCIOTulsa,

    1.     Have you checked if the folder is shared over the Network?

    2.     What is the version of Windows 7 installed on your computer?

    You say that the folder contains some of the thumbnails in it. If you have a Windows 7 Professional or Ultimate, I suggest that you Open the group policy Editor and disable caching of thumbnails in hidden thumbs.db files.

    a.     Open "Local group policy editor" by clicking on Run and type ‘gpedit.msc’ in the

    b.     Go to "User configuration" -> "Administrative Templates" -> "Windows Components" -> "Windows Explorer".

    c.      Turns off the caching of thumbnails in hidden thumbs.db files.

    Then try to delete the folder on the hard disk.

    Also check if the Folder is shared by any users or computers over the network and remove sharing.

    Also suggest that you check if you are able to delete the Folder from ‘Safe Mode’:

    Follow the below steps to boot the computer to ‘Safe Mode’:

    a.     Restart your computer if it is powered on.

    b.     Tap the F8 key after your computer initially powers on.

    c.      Once you see the Advanced Boot Options menu you can stop tapping.

    d.     Use the up/down arrow keys to highlight your selection.

    e.     Select Safe Mode and press Enter.

    f.       Logon to your computer using an account with Administrator privileges.

    Thanks,

    Irfan H, Microsoft Answers Support Engineer. Visit ourMicrosoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think.

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