However, if the file is not used by any of the applications on your computer, this can be a troublesome error. The application might be in use by a hidden service, or there may be a bug which won’t let you perform the operations. We have listed down a guide for you to follow. Start with the first one and work your way down.
Solution 1: Using Task Manager
If you want to operate on a file but you get a prompt ‘file is open in another program’, you can open the task manager and see if there is any instance of the file open. There are several cases where other applications spawn a file for their own operational purposes or where the file is opened but hidden from view. Ending the instance of the file from task manager will free it allows you to operate without any problems.
Solution 2: Changing File Explorer options
Another workaround to solve this problem is to disable ‘Launch folders windows in a separate process’. This will ensure that the folders windows are launched correctly and there is no conflict between different processes. You can always revert back the changes if this solution is not successful in your case.
Note: If the problem doesn’t go away after disabling the option, you can also try enabling it and check if the problem at hand got solved.
Solution 3: Deleting the file using Command Prompt
Another simple workaround is to delete the file you are trying to using the command prompt. You will have to navigate to the directory where your file is located. After we have located the file, we will end the file explorer, delete the file and start the file explorer again. Do note that you may require administrative privileges to perform this operation.
Solution 4: Disabling Preview Pane
The preview pane is an option present in Windows Explorer which allows applications to be previewed separately on the side. It gives a short glimpse of the files what is contained in them. This can be useful for many users in many cases, but, it has proved to be a problem causing the error message under discussion. Follow the steps below to disable the preview pane.
Solution 5: Using Resource Monitor
If all the above methods don’t work, it is highly likely that the file you are trying to perform the operation on is opened or being accessed by another application. We can try launching the resource monitor, locate the process accessing the file, end it and try doing the operation again. Do note that you might require administrator privileges to perform this action.
Note: If all the above methods don’t work, you should restart your computer. Restarting the computer will refresh all the files and their accesses which might solve the problem. Furthermore, you can also use third-party applications such as ‘Unlocker’.
Fix: Disk Defragmenter was Scheduled using Another ProgramFix: This File came from Another Computer and might be BlockedFix: The Process Cannot Access the File Because It is Being Used by Another…Fix: ‘conda’ is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable…
