Cannot move or delete a pdf file in Windows 10

[Willforth]

I have scanned a file to pdf on my Windows 10 PC. Now I cannot rename it or delete it. Whenever I try it says the file is in use. I have gone into Task Manager and closed any running application that has Adobe. This makes no difference and I still cannot move, delete or rename the file. The only way to delete is for me to reboot the PC. However, if I open the file in Acrobat DC the problem returns.

I have been looking around on the forum and found this problem dates back to 2012!!!! REALLY?????

I have now found a workaround to fix the problem but surely Adobe should have sorted a permanent fix for this by now. Not impressed

[Bernd Alheit]

What software do you use to delete or rename the files?

[Willforth]

I don't use any software. I just tried to delete as normal via Windows Explorer. If you are asking what the fix was I will happily tell you. Let me know

[Bernd Alheit]

‌Windows Explorer is a software. Use a other file manager.

[Vesela5ED1]

Ne seri!

[evollo]

The inability to delete a PDF file was also a problem in Windows 8 and continues in Windows 10. The problem is associated with use of the Preview Pane in Windows Explorer. There are 2 workarounds:

1. In Windows Explorer, turn off the Preview Pane.
   (Alt+P, or click"Preview Pane" in the Windows Explorer tool bar.)
2. If that doesn't work, use SHIFT+DELETE to permanently delete the file. (Caution: You won't be able to un-delete).

This bug only affects PDF files. Other file formats delete without issues in Windows Explorer.

[AtaraxiaAnalytics]

This fixed my issue: Turn off the preview pane in Windows Explorer.

Thank you evollowitz!

[Guest]

I turned off the Preview Pane. This worked.
Thank you!

[bob2291155]

i can't believe this was the problem.. such a dumb thing.

[siva279369725ctb]

Not working. Windows 11

[Piyush294229723e35]

same here

[keridaks35266940]

Wonderful!! I have been trying to delete since I bought this computer over a year ago.

Close the preview option in file manager.  It is on the view tab. Once that was done deleting happened

FYI I am using windows 10

[chuckh87320235]

Simple solution evollowitz gave is to just hold "shift" + "delete"

Thank you so much!

[li-gongl48609670]

All these methods are not useful, the notice said "The file can not be found."

[lawrenced24636755]

Wow! So simple. I could not remove or open a .pdf file because admin access was not enough. I had tried so many things, and hours trying to find an answer. Shift + Delete permanently deletes the file, but who gives a darn! I refuse to not have the ability to delete anything on my computer - so thank you!

[califtom]

these steps did nothing. everytime I delete the file it re-appears

[saifm13217800]

I want to fix this bug in my PC windows 10, Because i want prevent my PDF from deleting.

please tell me how can use this bug

[mylesdavid]

So our office has invested the time and effort into a digital archive instead of a paper system.

And we seem to come across this issue when we upgrade.

How does Microsoft and Adobe not realise that previewing files without opening is so important when dealing with so many files, further to this being able to rename a file while viewing the contents in a preview panel or for that matter deleting the file also.

Its fundamental in the way end users work with digital files, how can you not test this to make sure it works.

Our company has upgrade many of its user Adobe Acrobat DC and this problem makes those subscriptions not very attractive as I spend hours looking for a solution to a problem I did not create.

An upgrade is usually an improvement I don't feel like that is the case for this product.

[karenp83461450]

I'm sad to see that this problem still exists. It seems as though a work-around is necessary.

One thing someone mentioned is to use another software as your File Manager (instead of Windows Explorer). I found one called "FreeCommander" It can be downloaded here:

http://www.fosshub.com/FreeCommander.html

I downloaded and installed it. Seems to be a safe file (Norton didn't scream at me )

Another option is FileAssassin by Malwarebytes. Also safe and easy to use. You can find it here:

https://www.malwarebytes.org/fileassassin/

Hope this helps!

[triedit_robin]

File Assassin saved my sanity.  THANK YOU !!!!!!!!!

[Felipe5C22]

FileAssassin did the trick!

Thanks for the recommendation!

[defaultlxkc2dzwp4v8]

File assassin worked! Yea!!!!

[iyad5CEB]

wonderful...thank u soo much.

only this did the job

[debbie24737118c2ki]

THANK YOU!!!  ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ 

[neotrope]

This only started happening with most recent Windows 10 and Adobe Acrobat updates.

Turning off the preview pane solved it. Man, that was driving me freakin nuts.

Forum support saves the day again!

Thanks folks!   🙂