Cannot delete Word file

Question

Despite closing down Word 2007, rebooting, I cannot delete some Word documents because, even though Word is not open, it comes up with the error message

"This action cannot be completed because the file is open in Microsoft Office Word."

How can I delete this file.

Thanks

Philip

Answer 1

Assuming you are doing this in Windows Explorer, do you have the preview pane displayed? That will prevent you from deleting.

Answer 2

Wow!

How can it be that simple - it worked, perfect.

Odd though. Some I could delete other's I couldn't - the wonders of Microsoft !!!

Thanks for for you 2 taking the time to help me, wherever you are in the world. You've made an Englishman happy this weekend.

Answer 3

This is likely the result of some left-over owner files (whose file names start with ~$). See http://www.gmayor.com/what_to_do_when_word_crashes.htm.

Answer 4

Thanks for getting back quickly. Am not techi but tried what you suggested are there does not seem to be any $ files knocking about.

However your response refers to Word crashing. It has not crashed at all. I have worked on the .doc files, saved them and then decided to delete them. However it says they are still open with Word and will not let me delete them

Any other ideas?

Thanks

Answer 5

Note that the owner files are hidden files, so you can't see them unless you enable the display of hidden files and folders in Control Panel (Folder Options).

Even if Word didn't crash recently, temporary files (of various kinds) may accumulate over time. What did you try, specifically, from the article?