[SOLVED] The Action Can't Be Completed Because the File Is Open in Another Program

Windows users are likely familiar with the frustrating "file in use" message, which prevents them from completing certain tasks due to a file being locked by another program or process.

The action can't be completed because the file is open, file in use

This blog post will provide the latest tips on resolving the "the action can't be completed because the file is open" error, including what causes the "file in use" issue and how to prevent it from happening in the first place.

1. Run File Locksmith
2. Stop Processes with Task Manager
3. Empty the Recycle Bin and Restart
4. Restart Windows Explorer
5. Delete Temp Files

File In Use: The Action Can't Be Completed Because The File Is Open

The "The action can't be completed because the file is open" error occurs when a file or program is already open and being used by another program, causing a conflict that prevents the desired action from being completed. This can be due to various reasons such as a file being locked by a program, a program being run in the background, or a file being used by a system process.

The file is corrupted and cannot be opened.
The operating system is currently using the file.
The file is currently being used by another program and needs to be closed before it can be accessed.
The file is open in another program, which is not responding.
The file is currently open in another program and has an issue that's causing it to lock the file, preventing any changes from being made to it.
The file is currently open in another program and that program doesn't have the necessary permissions to access it, which is why you're unable to edit it.

This error can be frustrating, but there are a few things you can try to fix it. The "The action can't be completed because the file is open" error can occur due to various reasons, and trying to troubleshoot the issue may require some trial and error. However, some common solutions include closing any programs or applications that may be using the file, checking for any malware or viruses that could be causing the issue, and restarting your computer to see if that resolves the problem.

Method 1. Find Out the Program with File Locksmith

Windows users may have a similar experience when trying to delete a file, only to be told the file is being used. To find out which program or process is using the file, you can use the File LockSmth feature in PowerToys, which has been updated to work on Windows 11/10. This feature allows you to check which files are in use and by which processes, making it easier to identify what's using the file.

Step 1. Install PowerToys from Microsoft.

Step 2. After the installation, right-click on one or more selected files in File Explorer.

Step 3. Select "What's using this file?" from the menu.

Step 4. A list of processes will be shown. You can select the "End task" button to close the selected process.

run File Locksmith to fix The action can't be completed because the file is open

To resolve the "the action can't be completed because the file is open" error, try closing the file in any application that has it open, then delete, copy, or rename the file to see if the issue is resolved.

Method 2. Stop Background Processes with Task Manager

The "File in use, the action can't be completed because the file is open" error is a common issue that can occur for various reasons, often due to another program using the file you're trying to access. To fix this, you'll need to stop all background processes using the Task Manager.

Step 1. Open Task Manager by pressing CTRL+ALT+DEL.

Step 2. Select the processes and select "End Process".

Stop Background Processes with Task Manager

Once the processes have been stopped, you should be able to access the file without any problems. If this doesn't work, try restarting your computer and then try again.

Method 3. Empty the Recycle Bin and Restart

The action can't be completed because the file is open error can be resolved by emptying the Recycle Bin.

To resolve the error, empty the Recycle Bin, which will permanently delete the file causing the issue. This can be done by right-clicking on the Recycle Bin icon, selecting "Empty Recycle Bin," and confirming the deletion. This action will remove the file from the system, resolving the error.

Step 1. Find the Recycle Bin icon on your desktop.

Step 2. To empty the Recycle Bin, right-click on it and select "Empty Recycle Bin" from the context menu.

Step 3. A pop-up window will appear asking if you're sure you want to delete all the items permanently. Click "Yes" to confirm the deletion and wait for the files to be removed.

empty recycle bin Windows 10

To resolve the issue, try restarting your Windows 11/10 computer. This will help to clear any temporary glitches that may be causing the error.

Method 4. Restart Windows Explorer in Windows 11/10/8/7

To fix the error, simply restart Windows Explorer, which can often be done by right-clicking on the taskbar, selecting Task Manager, and ending the Explorer process. This should resolve the issue and allow you to delete, copy, or move the file.

Step 1. Press CTRL+ALT+DEL to open Task Manager.

Step 2. Right-click on Windows Explorer and select "Restart".

Restart Windows Explorer in Windows 11/10/8/7

The file is now closed and no longer in use. The file will be properly closed, ensuring that any system resources it was using are released.

Method 5. Delete Temp Files to Fix the "File In Use" Error

Deleting temp files can help free up space on your computer, fix errors or crashes caused by corrupted temp files, and resolve issues like "the action can't be completed because the file is open" by removing unnecessary and possibly corrupted files.

Step 1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.

Step 2. Type %temp% and hit Enter.

Step 3. Select all files by pressing CTRL + A and delete them permanently by pressing Shift + Del.

Delete Temp Files to Fix the File In Use Error

To resolve the issue "The action can't be completed because the file is open", you can try closing any applications that may have the file open, or try running the task as an administrator to see if it resolves the issue. If the issue persists, you can try checking the file's properties to see if it's set to be read-only, or try renaming the file to a different name and then running the task again.

Additional Help Recover Deleted Files in Windows 11/10/8/7

To avoid losing data, it's recommended to recover lost data after fixing "The action can't be completed because the file is open" issue. Deep Data Recovery, a professional data recovery software, can help recover deleted files in Windows 11/10/8/7, even after emptying the Recycle Bin or deleting Temp files.

It can recover deleted files from various storage devices, including emptied recycle bins, hard drives, flash drives, memory cards, and digital cameras.
The software is easy to use and can recover files quickly, often within minutes.
The software is free and compatible with all Windows versions.

Free Download
Windows 11/10/8/7, 100% Secure

If you've accidentally deleted important files, Deep Data Recovery is definitely worth a try.

Step 1. Launch Deep Data Recovery on your Windows computer, select the file types you want to recover, and click "Next" to initiate the recovery process.

Select file types that you want to recover

Step 2. Choose the exact file location you want to scan and click the "Scan" button to proceed.

Step 3. After the process, select the "Deleted Files" and "Other Lost Files" folders in the left panel, then apply the "Filter" feature or click the "Search files or folders" button to find the deleted files.

Step 4. Once the recovery process is complete, click the "Recover" button to save the restored files. It's a good idea to save them in a different location than the original files to avoid any potential conflicts.

Free Download
Windows 11/10/8/7, 100% Secure

Conclusion

A file-You can try using File Locksmith to find out which program is using the file, then stop that process with Task Manager. If that doesn't work, try restarting Windows Explorer or emptying your Recycle Bin and restarting your computer. If still having trouble, visit our website for more information.

The Action Can't Be Completed Because The File Is Open FAQs

If you want additional help, read the questions and answers below.

1. How do I force delete a file that is in use?

To force delete folder in Windows 10:

Fix 1. Force delete folder in CMD
Fix 2. Force delete folder with software
Fix 3. Delete files with ownership
Fix 4. Force delete a folder or file in Safe Mode

2. How do I force a corrupted file to delete?

If you can't delete corrupted files, follow the steps below:

Step 1. Close all the programs you are using.

Step 2. Restart the computer and log in to an administrator account.

Step 3. Find the corrupted file you want to delete.

3. Why won't Microsoft let me delete a file?

If a service is running in the background, it may prevent you from deleting a file, as the system will claim the file is in use even if it's not. This can make it seem like Microsoft is preventing you from deleting the file, when in fact it's just the service interfering.

4. How to overcome the file-in-use error?

Follow the steps below to fix the file-in-use error:

Close the Program.
Reboot your computer.
End the Application via the Task Manager.
Change File Explorer Process Settings.
Disable the File Explorer Preview Pane.
Force Delete the File in Use via the Command Prompt.