Windows 10: cannot remove files or folders in use

Discus and support cannot remove files or folders in use in Windows 10 Gaming to solve the problem; hi,There is a folder Intel with a file in it. When I tried to delete it, it will not let me, because it is in use by another program. It worked by... Discussion in 'Windows 10 Gaming' started by PaulPChou, May 19, 2023.

  1. PaulPChou Win User

    cannot remove files or folders in use


    hi,There is a folder Intel with a file in it. When I tried to delete it, it will not let me, because it is in use by another program. It worked by going to safe mode. Yet, when I go back to normal mode, the folder with the file is back. It is open in dwm.exe. What can I do?

    :)
     
    PaulPChou, May 19, 2023
    #1
  2. Frogger Win User

    ?? How do I PW protect Folders in windows

    hmmm?
    Sharing files and folders overview You can share the files and folders stored on your computer, on a network, and on the Web. The method you choose depends on whom you want to share files with, and what computer they will use to access the files.

    When you share files or folders, they are not as protected as they are when you do not share them. People with access to your computer or your network might be able to read, copy, or change files that are in a shared folder. You should always be aware that the files and folders that you share are available to other people and be sure to monitor your shared files and folders on a regular basis.

    Important

    If your computer is not joined to a domain, you can use the Network Setup Wizard to automatically turn file and printer sharing on or off. To start the Network Setup Wizard, click Start, click Control Panel, click Network and Internet Connections, and then click Network Setup Wizard.
    If you both use the same computer

    You can put the files you want to share in the Shared Documents folder. Files stored in the Shared Documents folder or its subfolders are always available to other users on your computer.

    Step-by-step procedure
    Note

    If you are connected to a network domain, the Shared Documents, Shared Pictures, and Shared Music folders are not available.
    If both computers are on the same network

    You can share a folder or drive on your computer with others on the network. You can also control whether the files in the shared folder can be modified by other users.

    If your computer is connected to a network domain, use this procedure:

    Step-by-step procedure
    If your computer is connected to a workgroup, use this procedure:

    Step-by-step procedure
    Note

    If you are connected to a network domain, you will need to set the Access control for the folder or drive after sharing it. For more information, go to To set, view, change, or remove file and folder permissions.
    If you want to share your files online

    You can publish pictures and documents on the Web using the Web Publishing Wizard. The files will be stored in a private, online folder that you manage.

    Step-by-step procedure

    If you don't want others to access your files

    You can prevent other users from accessing your folders and the files they contain. When your computer is connected to a domain, this is called setting permissions for your file or folder. When your computer is connected to a workgroup, this is called making your folders private.

    If your computer is connected to a network domain, use this procedure:

    Step-by-step procedure
    If your computer is connected to a workgroup, use this procedure:

    Step-by-step procedure

    'HELP' it can be your friend *Smile cannot remove files or folders in use :)
     
    Frogger, May 19, 2023
    #2
  3. Removing Windows.old folder

    I recently had to reinstall my OS (don't ask). Once I did there were files that I couldn't delete. Basically SecuROM files. Anyway long story short I found this workaround that I wanted to share with my fellow newbs. This will work for any file and works like a charm. Just follow the directions. *Toast :toast:
    Note: there is no space between "Administrators: (F)" I just had to but one in because it kept giving me an "unhappy face"

    When installing Windows Vista, Windows stores any existing installation of Windows on the install partition inside a hidden folder called windows.old. This folder could take up a large amount of disk space.

    Note: Please check the contents of the windows.old folder before deleting it to make sure there are no files stored there that you may wish to keep.

    Deleting the window.old folder using the disk cleanup wizard
    Click start
    Type: disk cleanup
    Press enter
    Select "Files from all users on this computer"
    Follow the rest of the instructions listed on the wizard and select the option to delete the windows.old folder
    Deleting the windows.old folder manually
    1) Open an elevated command prompt

    Click start
    Type: cmd
    right-click it under programs
    click Run As Administrator
    2) Take ownership


    Change the directory to the windows.old folder (e.g. cd c:\windows.old)
    Type: takeown /F . /A /R /D Y > NUL
    3) grant yourself permission

    Type: icacls . /grant:r Administrators: (F) /T /L /Q
    4) Delete everything

    Make sure you close any explorer or command windows that are looking at or inside the windows.old folder (except for the command window you are using). If you don't, you will receive an error while performing this step.

    Type: cd ..
    Type: rmdir /S /Q windows.old
     
    TheMailMan78, May 19, 2023
    #3
  4. ALN
    ALN Win User

    cannot remove files or folders in use

    How to remove folders from File History


    That does not work. Even though I do the delete from the "Back up these folders" from the list, it still backs it up - and when I close out of Settings and then go back in, the folder re-appears in the list.

    However, Mila's suggestion worked. Is it possible that folders in my Library cannot be removed from the "Back up these folders" list?
     
Thema:

cannot remove files or folders in use

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