Files and Drives Cannot Move/Edit/Delete a file - "The action can't be completed because the file is open in..." Updated November 06 2024

You may see a message like this if the file you are trying to move/delete/edit is open in another program. Sometimes you don't know which program it is open in. Windows 11 does a better job of showing this, but it may not always get it right. You have some other options you can try.

1: Sysinternals Handle utility. This is a command line utility, just use a command like:
Copy to Clipboardhandle myfile

It will show you results of any process that has a file matching 'myfile' open.

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/downloads/handle

2: Sysinternals Process Explorer
Use the magnifying glass icon at the top of the screen to search for open files/handles.
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/downloads/process-explorer
Search Keywords: Locked, Writing, Read, Delete, Modify, Open




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