Windows 10: The action can't be completed.. open in another program

I see. LockHunter doesn't work on individual files in the Recycle Bin.

So try this:

 

I am facing an issue lately:
When I try to move folders from one place to another, or rename, or just do anything with them I get the message:
"The action can't be completed because the folder or a file in it is open in another program"
It happens even when I try to move files from inside the Recycle Bin outside of it to the Desktop for example.. extremely annoying

Sometimes when I restart Windows Explorer via task manager it works, but only for a short time, and not always

What is the problem?

Thanks

:)

 

The action can't be completed because the file is open in another program.

You can use a small piece of Powershell to find this out. Refer to below Microsoft Technet article for this

https://gallery.technet.microsoft.com/scriptcen...

 

This action can't be completed because the file is open in another program

My guess is that the file is open in another program and that program is your antivirus scanner. Which AV program do you use?

 

So many things can cause that. If you have a cmd line Shell open and cd into that directory it will cause this. Programs using the directory or files in the directory.

There is a tool that would identify what is holding a file from being moved. Don't recall where to find it though.

 

It's difficult to determine the cause of the problem at this time. However, completely shut down the computer, start it back up.
When the computer is completely booted back up and ready, attempt to rename a folder (don't try to move it) you know you have already tried. Let us know the result.

 

This issue could be caused by some Antivirus programs.

 

The program that will be very helpful is called LockHunter:
LockHunter is a free 64/32 bit tool to delete files blocked by any processes

It's definitely a very recommended program to keep. I have it installed on the computer, and I find it very useful.

 

Which version of Win 10 are you running?
This problem raised it's head for me after updating to ver 1709.16299.334.
However having upgraded to the Spring Creators Edition (1803.17133.1) the issue has fixed itself.
None of the "unlockers" I tried could fix it.

 

Thank you for that information.
In my thinking it hasn't been proven yet that there is a locked issue yet.
In my case, if I try the change the title of a "mother" folder that has an open document, I cannot change the title of the "mother" folder.
If I close the document and ensure no other files or folders within the "mother" folder changing the title of the "mother" folder is not a problem: it might be a coincidence or my imagination but sometimes it takes a short period of time for the renaming to take for whatever reason. That's what I was hoping to find out about in my post #3.
--- Is a "mother" folder technically locked from being renamed when an included file or folder within its hierarchy is in use?

BTW Is the Spring Creators Edition (1803.17133.1) already installed on your computer because your are on an insider version?

 

This issue can be caused by Malwarebytes 3.4.4. Close Malwarebytes and try again. If it now works, you've found the culprit. There's a fix coming 3.4.5 which you can download.