The action cannot be completed because the file is open in another program

carl :D 1 Reputation point
2022-11-18T07:38:48.96+00:00

when i was trying to delete a file it just says "folder in use cannot be completed because the folder or a file in its open in another program resource monitor " okay when i saw that text pop up in my screen i searched in youtube how to fix it, i did the resource computer thing but it doesnt show up in associated handles. can someone help me?

Windows 10
Windows 10
A Microsoft operating system that runs on personal computers and tablets.
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Windows Server
Windows Server
A family of Microsoft server operating systems that support enterprise-level management, data storage, applications, and communications.
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  1. Reza-Ameri 16,831 Reputation points
    2022-11-18T14:53:10.403+00:00

    This could be a temporary issue and normally if you restart your PC and try again, this could solve the problem.

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  2. MotoX80 31,571 Reputation points
    2022-11-18T15:57:52.557+00:00

    Use the Handle utility to see which process has an open file handle to the file/folder. Then close that process.

    https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/downloads/handle

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  3. Kapil Arya 7,596 Reputation points MVP
    2022-11-23T12:03:20.377+00:00

    -Try a reboot, see if you can delete file then.

    -You can try ending the process in Task Manager and delete the file then.

    -You can try deleting the process in Safe Mode.

    -If nothing works, you can terminate process via Process Explorer and delete the file.

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