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jadd66
Participant
February 20, 2013
Answered

Cannot delete a pdf file

  • February 20, 2013
  • 11 replies
  • 79303 views

After opening and closing a pdf file in the latest version of Adobe Reader, I've noticed a bug. When I try to delete the recently viewed pdf file, I can't because Windows says that the program is open in another program. However, when I click details, there are no details. This is exasperating. I have never had this problem before when I've worked with pdf files. Please help.

    Correct answer morapat

    I was having the same problem today. Was trying to delete a load of unwanted pdf files out of my downloads folder using Windows Explorer. I am using Windows 8.1.

    I discovered that if I turned off the preview pane in Windows Explorer that the files would delete simply by right click and "Delete". It seems that the preview pane was holding the file and therefore preventing its deletion.

    11 replies

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    MichaelKazlow
    MichaelKazlow
    Legend
    February 21, 2013

    I have had this happen with many different programs including Word and Excel. Some programs do not release their hold on files, until they quit, others until they have finished writting to disk. You might think when you close a file, the program and OS should commit the changes and let the file go. Alas, sometimes the program and/or OS says I'll do it, just wait until I get around to it.

    Quitting the program is sometimes the only way to get the program and/or OS to let go of the file.

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