How to fix 'File Is Open in Another Program' error on Windows

Basically, you cannot delete a file while it is in use in Windows. When a process is opening a file, it means that you cannot use that file for another task or process. You will get a 'File Is Open In Another Program' message. All file operations such as deleting, renaming, opening, editing, etc. will be disabled.

I. Some quick fixes

1. Using Windows Shadowcopy

If you are trying to copy a file that is being used by another process. Please enter the command to do that.

Step 1: Find 'cmd' using the search bar and open Command Prompt with administrator rights (Run As Administrator).

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Step 2: View the file path. To be able to copy and paste files with script, you need to know the exact location of the file on the drive.

Right-click the file you want to copy and select Properties…

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Switch to the Location tab and you'll know how to write the location of the file. Example in my case: C:Usertran1Musictraicay.mp3

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Step 3: You enter the following command to copy and paste files from one folder to another.

esentutl /y source file path /vss /d destination file path

Please replace 'file path' with the correct path, for example:

esentutl /y C:Userstran1Musictraicay.mp3 /vss /d D:traicay.mp3

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With that, I was able to copy the file traicay.mp3 from drive C to drive D.

2. Close the program

In Windows 10, when you receive the message 'file is open in another program', determine which program it is. Then just close that program and you can use the file freely.

For example, in the image below: The file tracay.docx is open in Words so I cannot copy, or delete the file.

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To turn off the program completely, use Task Manager: Press Windows + X >> select Task Manager.

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In the Processes section, click the application you need to disable, then click End Task.

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3. Restart Windows Explorer

If a file is opened by Windows Explorer, that file will be locked until we restart the process. To restart Explorer, follow these steps:

Step 1: Open Task Manager by pressing Windows + X or Ctrl + Shift + Esc.

Step 2: In Processes, navigate to Windows Explorer.

Step 3: Right-click Windows Explorer and select Restart.

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4. Restart the computer

If there is no way for you to use the file, perhaps the most effective way is to restart the computer. Just press Windows >> Power Button >> Restart.

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II. Using the iObit Unlocker tool

iObit Unlocker is a great tool to unlock files quickly. Unlocker helps you quickly unlock a file and edit it to your liking.

Step 1: You download iObit Unlocker on the software's official website. Then install the software on the computer.

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Step 2: After successfully installing iObit Unlocker, find the file you want to unlock, right-click it and select iObit Unlocker.

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Step 3: The program will automatically list the file being opened by which program. Then you just need to press Unlock to unlock it.

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These are simple ways for you to delete, rename, copy or move files that are being used in another application.

Samuel Daniel

Update 21 December 2021