Files persistently "open in another program", cannot move folders after new Windows 10 installation

Question

After I open and close a file in File Explorer, I can't move or rename the folder containing it. I get the error "The action can't be completed because the folder or a file in it is open in another program." This persists after closing and re-opening Explorer, and after clearing Explorer history. It occurs with all file types I have tested: Plain text, PDF, images, Word, Excel. I have tested with files copied from an external drive, downloaded from the internet, and newly created. All show the same result.

I am able to delete these folders and files without an issue. When I restart my computer, I am able to move and modify the folders, until I open one of the files inside them. After I open and close a file, I can still move and modify that individual file, but not the folder containing it. If I remove the file I opened from the folder, I can move the folder again.

When I open command prompt as an administrator and attempt to move these folders, I get the error message "Access is denied."

The problem began after I reset my computer and reinstalled Windows 10.

Here is a screenshot of the error message:

Details:

• I've been using Process Explorer to try to figure out what is happening. The handles are held by System. When I try to close a handle, I get the error message: "Error opening process: The handle is invalid." Here is a screenshot example, taken while Explorer was closed:

Steps I've tried (from other posts):

• I have emptied the Recycle Bin.
• I've changed options in Explorer as recommended in other posts. I am not using the preview panel. I have turned off the options to show recently used or frequently used files in Quick access. I have repeatedly cleared the File Explorer history. The view options to "Launch folder windows in a separate process" and to "Restore previous folder windows at logon" are both unchecked. I have checked "Always show icons, never thumbnails."
• I've checked the folder permissions. I am the folder owner. The permission entries are myself, SYSTEM, and Administrators. All have full control.
• I ran SFC and DISM according to the instructions in this forum article: https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_10-update/system-file-check-sfc-scan-and-repair-system-files/bc609315-da1f-4775-812c-

Please help! I've tried every fix I could find for similar problems, and don't know where to go next aside from reinstalling Windows again.

Answer 1

Ciao ,

I'm Ugo, a Microsoft Independent Advisor willing to help other Microsoft customers.

Regarding your question, to isolate your issue, please perform the below test.

1. Open and close a Word file
2. Check if the issue arises
3. If so press CTRL+ALT+DEL, then choose Task Manager
4. Verify that there is no Word istance
5. If there is a Word istance, please kill it
6. Close the Task Manager and see if the issue is solved.

Of course this is not the solution, it's just a test to isolate the issue.

Please let me know if this helped somehow.

Ciao

Ugo

Answer 2

Hi Ugo,

I followed the instructions, and the issue did happen again. There was no instance of Word running in the Task Manager.

Answer 3

By any chance, do you have any 3rd party AV/Firewall? In case, can you please fully unistall it, reboot and check again?

Answer 4

Yes, it looks like that did it! Thank you so much!

I was running MalwareBytes. Is this a known problem with 3rd party AV software? Is there a way that I can use MalwareBytes or Symantec Endpoint Protection without creating the same issue?

Answer 5

Can you please try reinstalling Malware Bytes and see if the issue pops up again?