Skip to main content
K
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

Show previous replies
Bilal Ansari
Community Manager
Bilal AnsariCommunity Manager
Community Manager
January 2, 2014

Does this happen for all types of files or for PDFs only? Is Acrobat or Reader running while deleting the file?

K
kirklandbarrettAuthor
Participating Frequently
January 2, 2014

Only for PDFs. Acrobat and Reader are not running while deleting the file.

In looking into this further, the Modern app for SkyDrive shows these files as awaiting updates on SkyDrive - even after 24 hours later. Until they are updated, they continue to have this issue within the File Explorer view.

I would say that this is a SkyDrive issue, but it’s only related to PDFs. Word, Excel, JPGs, etc. all function properly. It seems to be some interaction between Acrobat or PDFs and SkyDrive.

Bilal Ansari
Community Manager
Bilal AnsariCommunity ManagerCorrect answer
Community Manager
January 2, 2014

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.

Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices