To do this, you must disconnect all open files and then retry to delete the item. This also makes an item incapable of deletion since it is being used.

It may be possible that another system on your network has access to the file/folder you are about to remove, without you knowing it. From there, right-click on the process using the file/folder you want to remove, and click End Process Tree from the context menu. Open the Task Manager using the CTRL + Shift + Esc shortcut keys, and switch to the Details tab. Check if the alleged process is still running, and end it if it is. If you have already closed the program suspected of using the file/folder you are trying to delete, you may want to double-check it through the Task Manager. This can lead to abnormal behavior of the operating system, rendering it incapable of temporarily or permanently removing a file or folder.įor this, we can apply a few Windows tricks, or use certain applications to unlock a file/folder and then delete it. Occasional misfunctioning of Windows can become a thing if you play around with it a tad too much. How to Fix “The Action Can’t Be Completed Because The File Is Open In Another Program” If that is the case, you may need to apply a few tricks to delete a file or folder that is not going away. Other reasons may include file corruption, preventing it from being unlocked, or a virus may infect the folder/file. However, occasionally, a file or folder may not unlock successfully, making you incapable of deleting it using conventional methods.Īn item may be prone to deletion if an active program is currently using it, or a task running in the background. These are then automatically unlocked when they are no longer in use. When a file or folder is in use by another process, Windows locks it in place. Why Windows Won’t Let You Delete Locked Items Disconnect Remote Access to Local Files.How to Fix 'The Action Can't Be Completed Because The File Is Open In Another Program'.Why Windows Won't Let You Delete Locked Items.

How to lock a folder on windows 11