How To Stop Windows Explorer From Locking Files
Sep 15, 2014
I am running Win 8.1 Enterprise, recently repair refreshed. When I am cleaning up my desktop and internal files, I frequently (+80% of the time) cannot move a file or folder from one directory to another without getting and error message saying that it cannot be moved because it is open in another program.
Of that 80% of the time, 99% is because Windows Explorer is using it. Seems like, of course it is being accessed by Windows explorer since I am using that utility of Windows to move the file. Duh!?! But this happens even with filesfolders that have not been accessed for months. It is so frequent that I just go ahead and check and unblock every filefolder I want to move with a program called 'Lock Hunter' before I try to move the file(s).
This is the same for renaming filesfolders and any directory type action. This seems crazy. I would think Win Explorer is there to move things around instead of preventing it all the time. I don't recall Win 7 ever doing this. It all seems to have started with Windows 8.
how to stop Windows from doing this?
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Sep 15, 2014
I am a big music collector, and have never had any issues with my PC and audio. I am using Windows 8.1 and for months things have worked great. My chosen audio is ALWAYS MP3 320kbps as I find it much more flexible than FLAC, and can barely notice the difference in quality so it works well for me.
Normally when I download FLAC files, I run them through a program called Goldwave (an app I have used for years) and convert them to MP3 320, I tell Goldwave to delete the FLAC files once conversion is complete.
I noticed recently that the FLAC files are not being deleted, problem with Goldwave I thought, but on further inspection, I cannot delete FLAC files within Windows Explorer!!
It says I need permission to delete them, even though I am Windows 8.1 administrator. When I right click a FLAC file, the delete and rename part has a UAC shield next to the text. Strange thing is, if I leave the FLAC file along for about 5 minutes, the shields vanish, and I am able to delete, why is this happening?
I previously messed around with UAC settings, but nothing has worked, when the shields display in the right click menu, I try an app called Unlocker, and even this wont delete them. This is ONLY happening with FLAC files, what's gripping onto these files? How I find out? And stop it.
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Mar 7, 2014
How to properly restart Windows Explorer from a program I wrote.
Details: I wrote a program that run as Desktop with Windows 8. After the program is started, it automatically Quit Explorer.exe (finding the PID and quitting/close) and all is fine. Before my program will be quitted by the user, I want to restart the Explorer.exe. It works but I get error message when trying to use the restarted Explorer with APP in the Metro/modern UI.
From what I understand, reason is that my program is running as administrator and when re-launching Explorer.exe also Explorer.exe is runned as administrator and this do not allow Metro APPs to be used.
I observed that when restarting Explorer.exe using my program it get the BUILTIN/ADMINISTRATORS as OWNER, while if restarting within the task manager it is as DENY.
Is there any way to tell Explorer.exe to run as BUILTIN/ADMINISTRATORS DENY and overcome the issue?
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Feb 24, 2014
When I install stuff like the Microsoft .NET Framework, and other things, I noticed a folder being temporarily created on my External HDD 2 TB . I guess since it's the largest partition with the largest free space Windows is using it for temp downloads or extraction of MSI / EXE files.
How can I disable Windows from touching that drive? it is very slow I want all temp stuff copied on my SSD
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Sep 19, 2012
I am trying to be able to see CR2 files (RAW photo files from Canon) as thumbnail icons in Windows Explorer. I am using Windows 8.
Microsoft's codec pack (Download: Microsoft Camera Codec Pack - Microsoft Download Center - Download Details) does not work for Windows 8. When I am trying to install it, I get an error message mentioning that I can use Windows 8 Update function, but doesn't give any more information on how to do this exactly.
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Jan 29, 2014
Windows or some other program on my computer automatically creates hidden files containing album art or song art in my music folders such as "Folder.jpg" or "AlbumArtSmall.jpg". I'm looking for a way to make this random generating stop because it's messing up my music library in Zune. I use MP3Tag and iTunes to apply song art manually to my songs, but the picture files that appear in the folders replace the song art that I added myself and it messes everything up.
In attempt to fix the issue I disabled all of the automatic album art downloading in "Tools > Options > Library" in Windows Media Player (just in case it was causing the problem) but still nothing. I tried deleting these files but they just come back again after a while.
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Jan 31, 2013
When I reboot i get this balloon which tells me this. I did not want to burn any files although it has 2,000 and more listed. I want to clear this out...it is slowing down my pc. I look on the folder page and do not see anywhere to abort this procedure.
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May 8, 2014
How do I stop One Drive from deleting files when I delete files from my pc?I want to try using One Drive for storage again but last time I used it, the online files disappeared when I deleted them from the One Drive folder on my pc.
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Oct 29, 2012
I have got a pc that my whole family use and I've just completed a fresh Windows 8 Pro installation.
I have created 2
accounts:-
I know that Metro UI cannot be disabled and I don't mind keeping it, but surely if I want to be able to lock the kids account, so that they don't accidently mess up, I should be able to at least stop them from modifying app shortcuts and lockdown the Metro Start menu?
I currently have loads of apps, such as Admin tools, WinRAR etc.
If I setup the Metro UI to the apps I want, how do I stop them from removing/adding apps or modifying the menu?
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Oct 16, 2012
A lot of the time i like to just put on a youtube playlist and just lay in bed and watch it. Idk if this only happens with the youtube app that i am using or if its with jsut being inactive for anything. Is there a way i can prevent windows 8 from auto locking?. I have already disabled the lock screen, but it will still lock and jump to the login screen. I have turned screensaver off. And messed with the advanced power options. Nothing seems to work.
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Dec 3, 2013
Yeah I just got my new computer not long ago and there has been nothing but trouble using Skype. During video calls Skype freezes and locks up my computer making me have to hold down the power button to shut it off. This happens often. I first thought it was a video card issue and Dell sent me a replacement card. Still happens. I have to chalk it up to Skype not being very compatible with Windows 8. This issue only happens when on Skype. I saw there was a patch Windows update for Skype but I have it already installed. I have no clue how to stop this issue. This is a brand new Dell XPS 8700 with 12gb Ram.
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Dec 15, 2012
I just got a Dell Inspiron with Windows8 to replace my old XP system. Got files and software loaded, everything working. I code indicators and robots for forex trading and use the built-in editor (Meta-Editor) and it is working fine. I can call up the indicators and robots through the editor and re-edit or run them--no problem.
Then I went over to the File Explorer to move some of the indicator files around and -- weird! They are not there. All the previous files I loaded in earlier are there but since about the 1st of December, none of the files are there.
The folders and subfolders all work correctly in Editor but none of the newer ones are showing up on Explorer--I can build new folders in Explorer and they show up in Editor but whatever i build in Editor does not show up in Explorer--why could that be happening?
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Aug 21, 2013
Annoying error of windows explorer. Windows explorer is getting crashed while opening any folders accidentally, especially folders with large number of files and images. first it appears as windows explorer is unable to load files thumbnails (any kind of files) and appears as white or blank icons regardless the type of file. then when opening my computer in another window , it couldn't load even contents of drivers and hangs as "searching for items".
All this happens suddenly after weeks of normal windows usage. I resolve it by backing up system using Acronis image. but the problem persists. I tried virus scan with no success using AVG. I made thorough scan for C with no result too.
Note that this problem I found with Windows 7 and it forced me to upgrade to Windows 8 then I'm experiencing the same problem now. I don't Understand why.
Note: I think there's no hardware (HDD) error cause I'm running Ubuntu 13.04 alongside Windows and it's browsing files perfectly.
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Nov 26, 2012
I recently installed Windows 8 and have noticed that at some point the tags stopped displaying in Windows Explorer for media files such as mp3 and m4b.
This affects my collection of Music and Audio books that I had to perform a big resue operation on.
I can't sort them according to the tags that had been set in iTunes or mp3 tagger. This has always worked previously and the tags have displayed fine.
It's just empty where the tag should be, even for files which I know are tagged, and where the tag displayed previously, in Windows Explorer.
I am running sfc /scannow for good measure, but is this a known Windows 8 problem, perhaps? Any tips for getting the tags to display again? I don't fancy doing this sorting on a file-by-file basis, it would take a week....
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May 17, 2013
Windows 8. When the monitor turns off on my laptop, it locks the computer and when i wake it i have to enter the password again, i wish to disable this option not to be have to enter password every time i wake the laptop.
I searched a solution and the closest thing i saw is "require a password when waking the computer" the problem is if i disable this option there is no password even when waking from hibernation/sleep.
I wish to keep password protection when returning from hibernation/sleep but not when the monitor just turns off. Is it possible?
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Mar 21, 2014
Whenever, I try double-clicking an Excel file in Windows Explorer, I get an error message that says "There was a problem sending the command to the program." I tried Microsoft's solution of unchecking the box under options that says "Ignore other applications that use Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE)" but it was already unchecked. I checked it and unchecked it and I'm still having the problem. This is using Excel 2013 with Windows 8.1 64-bit.
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Jun 28, 2013
I've been using FF without problems for years.
Yesterday, suddenly, whenever I execute Firefox, it locks for about 10-15 seconds.
(get a "not responding" prompt in file manager)
It all started yesterday when Firefox 22 was installed, (well, AROUND that time) and now it locks each time I start it.
It releases itself after about 15 seconds.
I've tried uninstalling it, reinstalling it, removing all plugins, and I'm just about going insane.
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Jun 24, 2014
Basically the taskbar just freezes, however when you click on the buttons they still work, it spreads until the whole interface no longer works, things like windows media center and games lock up and forced to reboot. Nothing using up the cpu in task manager etc and I can't see anything in event viewer (although not 100% sure where i'd look)
It happens completely randomly, cant seem to replicate it and im doing different things each times it happens!
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Apr 17, 2013
I've been having this issue and trying to wrap my head around it for a couple weeks, and I've had this new laptop less than a month. Just as I was posting this, I realized that it seems to be specifically 64-bit programs.
Specifically, the problem is that when I try to drag a file from Explorer into a program that I know is able to load it from drag-and-drop, all I get is the "no" pointer, the circle with the line. All the programs I've tested would let you drag files onto them just fine on my older Windows 7 laptop.
Some of the specific programs this is happening in:
Microsoft Office 2010 (seemingly the whole suite is acting like this, I tested Word and Powerpoint)
Paint.NET 3.5.10
Sony Vegas 12.0
Waterfox 18.0.1
I can File>Open files in these programs just fine, but dragging to them from Explorer would be miles more convenient. I've tested the files I've tried dragging. They drag fine into Notepad, they drag fine into Foobar2000, IrfanView, Notepad++, all operating as 32-bit.
Now I WAS having the same problem with Audacity and Skype, which is why I didn't catch the pattern of them all being x64 programs at first (since I have 32-bit versions of both), but that was happening because they were being run as Administrator, which is an issue I'd also like to try and resolve. I don't understand why running as Admin should prevent me from dragging files into open windows of them.
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May 2, 2013
I find it annoying when I use windows Explorer to browse my files and see folders where my files are not displayed in 'Details'-view. (Other views are: Icons, Tiles, Content etc...)
How do I set up Windows 8 so that it always displays all foders in the 'Details' -view
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Jul 25, 2013
Ive been using a method to access my Skydrive files in explorer without the need for the Skydrive app. The process is explained here: How To Map SkyDrive Folder As Network Drive In Windows 8 And RT .
It works great on 1 pc I use but on another it doesn't. The problem is it is only showing the Public folder and nothing else. I cant work out why this is the case.
It accepts my credentials fine and connects the drive it just doesn't show the files there. It also doesn't allow me to upload anything else to the drive.
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Sep 20, 2014
In File Explorer the preview window box is checked and thumbnails box is checked, but I can only preview image files. Word or Pdf files do not show up. I did a factory setting reinstall of Windows 8.1. My word documents showed up in the preview window prior to the reinstall, but not my pdf files. I use this feature frequently.
Windows 8.1 x 64bit
CPU Intel(R) Pentium(R) CPU J2850 @ 2.41GHz (4 Cores)
Graphics Card Intel(R) HD Graphics - 24MB Free Video RAM, 32MB Total
physical memory 4GB
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Jan 2, 2013
Have a new Windows 8 Pro setup. For some reason I do not get a preview of images in a folder just a generic thumbnail.
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May 29, 2013
I installed Windows 8 Pro on a Dell Studio 1537 laptop that used to run Vista. Win 8 Pro was installed in Dec 2012 and has all Microsoft Windows 8 updates installed.
When I try to burn files on a blank DVD disc using Windows 8's Explorer, I get a message that says:
"Insert a disc Please insert a writable disc into drive M:"
The blank disc is then ejected. Even if I reinsert a different blank DVD disc and try again, the same thing happens.
However, if I open ImgBurn and use the "same" blank DVD disc, ImgBurn recognizes the blank DVD disc and is ready to burn.
It should be noted that I never tried to burn DVDs using Vista's Explorer so I don't know if that ever worked. I just used ImgBurn while I was running Vista. I know I can just use ImgBurn with Windows 8 but I would like to know why Win 8's Explorer won't recognize blank DVD discs. Is this a known problem that has a fix?
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Jan 22, 2014
I use SkyDrive quite every time. For each file, I copy to my Windows explorer folder of SkyDrive, I have to individually right click each file and select Make Available online only. I want the explorer to do this for each and every file I copy to the folder so that I don't need to waste time to do it all by myself.
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Feb 6, 2014
I often unzip compressed folders sent to me by email containing several pdf files. When opened in file explorer the preview pane is blocked.
I have to right click and select properties, then click unblock button individually on each file if I want to preview them in the preview pane.
Any way I can set an option either to not automatically block these files when transferred from compressed email attachment to the folder?
Or any way I can use the parent directory and unblock all the files in all the subfolders at once?
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Feb 21, 2014
I'm building a system for cryptocoin mining, and am having a little problem with getting Windows 8.1 (home, not pro) to run the 3rd card (GPU) My equipment is:
Gigabyte 990 FXA UD3 MOBO
AMD Vishera CPU
2x4 gig Corsair Ram
3x Sapphire r9 280x Video cards
1000w Corsair PSU
Scandisk SSD
All parts are brand new.
Here is the problem... everything boots just fine and runs with 2 of the GPU's installed. I have the latest AMD 13.12 drivers, and the AMD APP SKD installed. When I add the 3rd GPU though, windows will auto detect it as a Radeon 7900 with the caution sign, AND/OR a r9 200 series card, also with the caution sign, most times BOTH. Then it randomly freezes the system. A couple of times I got it to run long enough just by luck I guess, to install the 13.12 drivers on the 3rd GPU, but then in a few minuites the system would freeze again.
2 GPU's run just fine, the problem only shows up when the 3rd card is installed, and it happens on any of the 4 16x slots, or both 1x slots on the MOBO. It doesn't matter if the GPU's are directly on the MOBO, or on 1x16 risers. There are plenty of folks running this set up with up to 6 GPU's, so I know it can be done, but I must be missing something somewhere in the windows set up.
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Dec 28, 2013
How can I stop the pop up ads on windows 8?
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Sep 6, 2013
My laptop windows suddenly stop responding .. the mouse is moving but cant open anything even the task manager or Start menu! have to shut down from the power button!
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Jan 2, 2014
Got Windows 8 a few months ago and also use Outlook 2007 with an MSN email address using Outlook Connector. I am being driven crazy by Outlook reminders. Outlook dings when a reminder goes off, then Windows 8 does the same reminder a few seconds later. Add to it my phone going off and tablet and I get 4 of the same reminder. I've searched the web and can't seem to figure out how to stop at least the Windows 8 ones.
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Jun 25, 2013
How do I stop such kind of pop-up ads tiny windows from opening in FF21 and chrome in w8?
It is such a sickening, irritating feature. It has become a terror to move mouse in the browser lest that would come over such double-lined tags and this window will open.
Even this site windows8forum has started this. So inconsiderate and sickening.
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