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kirklandbarrett
Participating Frequently
January 2, 2014
Answered

File in Use error deleting PDF in Windows 8.1 SkyDrive

  • January 2, 2014
  • 11 replies
  • 41322 views

I'm using SkyDrive and have ran into an interesting issue.

I'm also using Adobe Acrobat XI Standard

When I save a PDF file to SkyDrive in Windows 8.1, it becomes difficult to delete the file via the file explorer

I get a "File In Use" error - "The action can't be completed because the file is open in another program" - yet it's not.

It gives me the option to "Try Again" and I click that about 4 times, getting the same error, and then after the 4th time, it allows the deletion of the file.

If I were to save the PDF to my desktop, it deletes immediately.

It seems to only be in the SkyDrive directory where it's an issue

Other document types do not have this problem.

I am using the standard security within Windows 8.1, and it hasn't detected a virus.

All newly created PDF files are acting like this.  Non-PDF files are deleting properly.

So it's not existing/old files, or non-PDF files.

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Bilal Ansari

It appears that the SkyDrive application is locking the files while syncing. And since Acrobat or Reader are not running, this problem is probably not because of Adobe.

You can check this by using Process Explorer by Microsoft.

Search (Ctrl+F) for the file in Process Explorer and check the name of the process locking it.

11 replies

toms68027691
toms68027691
Participant
November 6, 2015

Thanks the tip at least it deletes after 4 or 6 tries,

A
Anonymous
May 25, 2015

I had the same issue with a PDF file that was downloaded. The problem appears to be a Windows security issue.  I right clicked on the file and selected "Properties".  At the bottom of the dialog box, it says: "Security: This file came from another computer and might be blocked to help protect this computer."  I clicked on the "unblock" button which grayed out the security message.  I then was able to delete the file.

E
eriksson-tavares
Participant
March 17, 2015

The same happens to me with Dropbox, but also in common system folders.

Sometimes I restart the machine and try to delete, in some cases it works.

calophoto
calophoto
Participant
January 5, 2015

Switching from preview pane to details pane in file exlporer was a quick and easy fix, thank you.  This issue has been irritating me for weeks, such a simple solution.

    Douglejuggle
    Douglejuggle
    Participant
    October 1, 2014

    I had same issue while deleting a PDF file from a usb drive and other pdf files.   When Windows Reader opens a PDF file, it keeps a history of what was opened previously.  you have to remove this history from windows reader.  Open a file in Windows Reader, right click on the file and a task bar at the bottom of the screen should open up with a trash can labelled "Remove". ONce removed from windows reader you will be able to delete the file in windows explorer.   ( who the Fck programmed this and didnt tell anyone)

    Douglejuggle
    Douglejuggle
    Participant
    October 1, 2014

    Actually its a bit more complicated.   your have to right click the file in Windows Reader which brings down a thumbnail of the file at the top of the Windows Reader screen, you then click on the x in the corner of this thumbnail which brings you to the "Browse Folder" which displays the history of your previous documents.  You can then right click on these thumbnails and a trash can will appear at the bottom of the windows reader from the screen to "remove" the file previews.   You can now delete your files. WTF!

    AndyYee
    AndyYee
    Participant
    August 25, 2014

    I had a similar problem with deleting Adobe PDF files in Win8.1 File Explorer. Simple solution -- turn off File Explorer preview pane which seems to be holding the file hostage, and files can then be successfully deleted.  Hope this works for you. 

      K
      kleinco
      Participant
      September 11, 2014

      Indeed, its the preview pane. What a maddeningly simple way to waste a lot of time, arg. Thanks for the tip Andy. Assuming you're in Windows (8, 8.1) go into View in the folder, click on Details Pane instead of Preview Pane and you can delete the file in question.

        C
        cabedelo33
        Participant
        September 22, 2014

        It works fine. Just close the preview pane of file explorer and it's done. Thank you very much for your help.

        Regards

          I
          ireneeng
          Participant
          August 4, 2014

          Hi

          I'm having the same problem: can't delete from DropBox and download on my laptop.

          Thanks in advance

          Irene

            J
            jchickos
            Participant
            July 25, 2014

            I am having the same problem with Google Drive

              C
              Confused of Eastbourne
              Participant
              June 16, 2014

              Re the "can't delete the pdf file because it is in use by another program".

              I also have this problem with Win8.1 and Reader XI.  I ensured Reader was closed down and scanned the file for the pdf which gave rise to the error message: there was only one version of it on my computer - being the one I was trying to delete and definitely no other program of mine was accessing it. I tried the multiple delete "try again" and on the sixth occasion it did delete.  I had several other such files in the same folder and all eventually deleted on the 6th "try again"

              hope this helps

              Phillip M Jones
              Phillip M Jones
              Inspiring
              January 2, 2014

              Have after you have shut down acrobat and SkyDrive, opened the Sky Drive Directory/Folder and removed the file that way?

              H
              Helpful_Marketing
              Participant
              April 25, 2014

              Try turing off the Preview Pane, wait a few seconds and then delete. I have been having these types of issues on Windows 7 and now Windows 8.1. Please let me know if this solves your problem. I'd really like to know if we've finally gotten to the bottom of this!

              Thanks,

              Rob

                C
                College_Down_Under
                Participant
                June 9, 2014

                It is a preview pane issue. It's not just a SkyDrive thing. It's any drive viewed through the File Explorer. Only for Acrobat files and no other file types. Switching from preview to details mode in file explorer solves it.

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