Windows Error “The Action cannot be Completed because The File is Open”

You are getting an error “The action can’t be completed because the File is Open” when you attempt to rename or move files You can delete any file from your Windows PC? ? There is a good chance that an app, or service, has access to your file. This could prevent you from deleting it. There are several options to avoid this.

File Explorer can be slow, you have antivirus blocking your files, or an app installed that interferes with your task.

Close the App That’s Using Your File

When you attempt to edit a file being used by an application, the file error is often displayed. You can’t make any changes to this file because the app has made restrictions on the modifications.

You can get around it by simply closing the app and saving your file. This will allow you to make the changes to your file that you desire.

Windows makes it easy to close any app by simply selecting X In the top-right corner of your app window. To stop your app from closing, you can use Task Manager Forcibly quit the app These are the details.

1. Select the appropriate option by right-clicking your taskbar (the horizontal bar at your bottom) Task Manager.
2. Click the right-click on the application that is using your file to choose End task. . This completes the “end-of-process” task and kills the chosen process.

3. Complete the task you have been assigned to your file.

Restart Windows File Explorer

A minor File Explorer has a glitch You may not be able to make changes to files. File Explorer can be restarted to resolve any problems.

As follows, you can start explorer.exe again using Task Manage.

1. Launch Task Manager Click the right-click on your taskbar, and choose Task Manager.
2. Select More details Then, open it Processes tab. Tab that displays your entire CPU process.
3. Choose Windows Explorer Click on the link to view and choose Restart In the lower-right corner.

4. You can make modifications to your file.

Reboot Your Windows 10/11 PC

If restarting File Explorer didn’t resolve your issue, reboot your entire Windows system. . This clears temporary storage (RAM), and allows you to relaunch all of your apps and services. It also fixes many other minor issues with the system.

Save any work that you have not saved before restarting the computer. Otherwise, you could lose it.

1. Launch the Start Menu by pressing Windows Select the key and then click on Power icon.
2. Choose Restart You can find the full menu.

3. Your computer will reboot and you can perform the action in your file.

Clear the Windows File Thumbnail Cache

Windows saves thumbnails of your files, which allows you to quickly see what is inside them. This thumbnail cache can sometimes become corrupted, which could cause various issues on your computer.

This is a great idea This cache must be cleared Try it to resolve your file problem. Windows will automatically re-create the cache and display thumbnails, so there’s no need to worry about losing any files.

1. Launch the Start Find the menu Disk Cleanup, Open the utility by pressing the “Enter” button.
2. Choose your Windows Installation Drive and click “Next” OK.
3. Disk Cleanup is required to examine the drive’s contents.
4. Then, turn on the Thumbnails The option is available in Files to delete section. You will be able to delete all of your thumbs.db files.

5. You should make sure you uncheck any other items.
6. Select OK At the botto.
7. Choose Delete Files Enter the prompt.

Open Folder Windows in a Separate Process

File Explorer opens your folder windows by default in one process. You can isolate your folder windows by using File Explorer Your folder window processes So that issues from one entity don’t impact on others.

1. Press Windows on your keyboard, find File Explorer Options, Select the item from the list and click “Add to Cart”.
2. Select the View Click on the tab to open the window.
3. Then, turn on the Launch folder windows in a separate process option.

4. Select Apply Then, follow by OK At the botto.

Turn Off Controlled Folder Access

Windows Security apps on PCs can prevent unfriendly applications from making files changes. File Explorer isn’t hostile to your actions of renaming, moving, and deleting files. However, this feature can be toggled off in File Explorer to test if the issue disappears.

1. You can perform a Windows search Windows Security Launch the app.
2. Choose Virus & threat protection Click on the app window.
3. Select Manage settings In the Virus & threat protection settings section.

4. Scroll down for more information Manage Controlled folder access.
5. Disable the Controlled folder access option.

Unlock Your File With Unlocker

The reason why you see the “The Action cannot be Completed because the File is Open” error is due to an app locking your file. Unlocker, a complimentary app for this purpose is available to you All restrictions from your file should be removed.

Then you can perform the intended actions in your file with no problems.

1. Install the software free of charge Unlocker Get the app for your PC.
2. To open the app, double click the icon in the newly installed app.
3. Navigate into the folder that contains your file and click on the file to open it OK.
4. This will allow you to unlock your file, and then make any necessary changes.
5. If there are no restrictions on your file, you can delete it, rename or move it from within your own file Unlocker app.

Clean Boot Your Windows 11/10 Operating System

Your file actions may not be being completed if the “The action could not be performed because the file was open” error continues to persist. You can find out which app may be causing this problem by searching the internet, Make sure to clean your boot drive, If you can identify the cause, it is likely that your problem has been solved.

Your PC will only load the necessary system files and drivers when it is in a clean boot environment. You can then isolate all installed apps and determine if they are the cause of your problem.

1. Access the Start Search for menu msconfig, System Configuration You can find the full list here.
2. Open the Services Tab, Select Hide all Microsoft services, Disable all, Apply.

3. Access the Startup Tab and Choose Open Task Manager.
4. Select each Enabled Choose from the items on this list Disable At the bottom. Then, close Task Manager.

5. Select OK The following are the System Configuration window.
6. Try to change your file by restarting your computer.

One or more installed apps could cause you to be able make modifications to your file. If this happens, you should uninstall the suspicious and recently-added apps.

Get No Error While Trying to Make Changes to Your Files in File Explorer

Every computer user makes changes to files. If you have any problems with making files changes, the guide below will help to resolve your problem.

You can Change a File Explorer option, To resolve the issue, you can unlock your file or reboot your computer. After that, you will be able to rename or move your file as many times and how you like.