Action can't be completed - open in another program

Question

I have two screens with two Explorer windows open. Both are showing different subfolders in the same network path.

I pick a folder on the left window that I'd like to move to the right window, I drag it across, and an alert pops up:

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

This is probably just the file indexer or the thumbnail database or whatever. I don't care, I want to do it anyway. This happens literally every time I want to move or rename a file or folder on a network drive.

How do I fix this?

Solution 1

This is a known problem with Windows 7 related thumbnail caching which locks hidden files, thus preventing deletion or moving them.

1. Empty the recycle bin. If this doesn't resolve the issue move to the next step.
2. Disable thumbnail preview in Windows Explorer - How to Enable or Disable Thumbnail Previews in Windows 7 Explorer. If this doesn't resolve the issue move to the next step.
3. Start/Run/gpedit.msc
4. UserConfig/Admin Templates/Windows Components/Windows Explorer
5. On the turnoff the caching of thumbnails in hidden thumbs.db files choose enable.

Solution 2

With Process Explorer, one can find which processes are using the directory being used with CTRL+F. Here one can terminate the process or just close the directory in use.

Solution 3

This error message preventing folders and files to be moved, renamed or deleted is an issue that has driven people nuts in almost new Windows version (it was ultimately fixed after long in previous ones). This has helped the most:

1. Run gpedit (type run on Windows start menu, click on app result, type gpedit)
2. On the left pane go to User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Explorer
3. Click on File Explorer and on the right pane, right click on "turn off the caching of thumbnails in hidden thumbs.db files" > Edit > Enabled > Ok
4. Reboot.

Comments

[Xonatron]

This still happens on Windows 8. Empyting the recycle bin fixed the problem for me. Like the OP stated, this problem has been driving me crazy.

[Xonatron]

Unlocker did not work for me in Windows 8. It detected no locks when I was unable to move a folder and its files.

[jcollum]

what does it mean if running gpedit.msc doesn't work? I'm on Win 7 Pro 64b.

[CharlieRB]

@jcollum Asking a question in a comment of another question/answer is not acceptable. You need to post your own question in order to be attended to.

[jcollum]

@CharlieRB or it could be something that is added to this answer to make it more complete.

[CharlieRB]

@jcollum Are you actually stating that you've tried this and it didn't work for you? In that case, you should post your own question where you can give the details of your situation (which are separate from this question) so it can get proper attention to help you.

[jcollum]

I added some text that improves it and explains why gpedit won't be available sometimes.

[Harry]

javelin-tech.com/blog/2012/02/file-is-open-in-another-progra‌​m/…: this works for me, find the process holding the folder, exit it.

[CharlieRB]

@learnScrapy Posting an alternate solution as a comment does not help anyone. If you feel you have a viable answer, please post your own answer so others will see it. Otherwise, your comment gets lost in the clutter.