8 Ways to Fix ‘File Is Open in Another Program’ Error in Windows

Abhishek stuck to the Windows operating system ever since he bought the Lenovo G570. As obvious as it is, he loves to write about Windows and Android, the two most common yet fascinating operating systems available to mankind. When he is not drafting a post, he loves to binge OnePiece and whatever Netflix has to offer.

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Fix 1: Use Task Manager to Close the App

The primary reason for the ‘another program is currently using this file’ error is that another program on your PC is accessing the file. So, you mustclose the programusing the Task Manager.

Step 1:Press the Ctrl + Shift + Esc keyboard shortcut to openTask Manager.

Step 2:Find the program which could be using the file in the Processes list. For example, if it is a document file like Microsoft Word or some other text editor program will be used.

Step 3: Right-clickon the process and select theEnd Taskoption from the context menu.

Fix 2: Restart Windows Explorer

Windows Explorer process manages the programs and offers GUI support for many operating system elements. But if this process glitches and stops working properly, you can encounter the error. So, you mustrestart Explorerusing Task Manager.

Step 1:Press theCtrl + Shift + Esckeyboard shortcut to openTask Manager.

Step 2:Click on the search bar at the top. Typeexplorerand pressEnter.

Step 3: Right-clickon the Windows Explorer process and click on theRestartoption.

Your screen will flicker for a few seconds and then return to normal. Any open apps will not be closed.

Fix 3: Change File Explorer Properties

A File Explorer property is also known to cause the ‘file is open in another program’ error on Windows. So, you must disable this property using the Folder Options in File Explorer.

Step 1:Press theWindows + Ekeyboard shortcut to openFile Explorer.

Step 2:Go to the top menu bar and click on thethree horizontal dotsbutton to open the drop-down menu. Click onOptions.

Step 3:Switch to theViewtab. Locate theLaunch folder windows in a separate process option. Click on thecheckbox to unselectit.

Step 5:Click on theApplybutton and then click on theOKbutton.

Fix 4: Disable File Explorer Preview

File Explorer Preview pane can help you check the contents of a file without leaving theFile Explorerwindow. But if the file is already open in the preview pane, and you try to make changes to it, you can face the error. So, you must disable the File Explorer preview.

Step 1:Press the Windows + E keyboard shortcut to openFile Explorer.

Step 2:Navigate to the top menu bar and click on theViewbutton.

Step 3:A drop-down list will open. Hover on theShowoption and then click on thePreview Paneoption to unselect it.

Fix 5: Tweak a System Policy Using Group Policy Editor

Thumbnail Caching on Windows can also be a reason behind this infuriating problem. So, you must disable it using the Group Policy Editor.

Step 1:Press the Windows key to open the Start menu. Typegpedit.mscin the search bar and press Enter to open the Group Policy Editor.

Step 2:Navigate to the left-hand side menu. Click on theAdministrative Templatesoption listed under the User Configuration section.

Step 3:Double-click on theWindows Componentsoption.

Step 4:Scroll down and double-click on theFile Exploreroption.

Step 5:Double-click on theTurn off caching of thumbnails in hidden thumbs.db filespolicy to open its settings.

Step 6:Select theEnabledoption.

Step 7:Click on theApplybutton and then click on theOKbutton.

Step 8:Close the Group Policy Editor and restart your PC to apply the changes.

Fix 6: Disable Thumbnail Caching Using Registry Editor

If you have the Windows Home version, you won’t be able to disable thumbnail caching using the Group Policy Editor because it is exclusive to Windows Pro and Enterprise versions. Instead, you can modify the system registry usingCommand Promptto disable thumbnail caching. But before doing that, create a registry backup.

Step 1:Press the Windows key to open the Start menu. Typecmdin the search bar and pressCtrl + Shift + Enterkeyboard shortcut.

Step 2:The User Account Control window will open. Click on theYesbutton to open Command Prompt with administrator privileges.

Step 3:Now, type the following commandand press Enter to create a new subkey:

Step 4:After that,type the following commandand press Enter:

Step 5:Close the Command Prompt window. Restart your PC to apply the changes.

Fix 7: Flush System Cache

An outdated or corrupt Windows cache can cause issues with the normal functioning of programs. You can easily remove the cache using theDisk Cleanup toolin Windows.

Step 1:Press the Windows key to open the Start menu. Typecleanmgrin the search bar and click on theRun as administratoroption.

Step 2:Select all the checkboxes listed underFiles to delete:section. Click on theOKbutton.

Step 4:Click on theDelete Filesbutton.

Fix 8: Use Safe Mode

The last resort is to restart your PC in Safe Mode and then try to modify the app or file. Safe Mode will run the bare minimum of Windows services and drivers.

Step 1:Press the Windows key to open theStartMenu. Click on thePowericon.

Step 2:Press and hold theShiftkey, then click on theRestartoption.

Step 3:Windows Recovery Environment will launch. Click on theTroubleshootoption.

Step 4:Click onAdvancedoptions.

Step 5:Click on theStartup Settingsoption.

Step 6:Click on theRestartbutton.

Step 7:Press theF4 keyto boot the PC into safe mode.

Step 8:Log in to your PC and check if you face the same error while modifying or removing a file.

8 Ways to Fix ‘File Is Open in Another Program’ Error in Windows

8 Ways to Fix ‘File Is Open in Another Program’ Error in Windows

Fix 1: Use Task Manager to Close the App

Fix 2: Restart Windows Explorer

Fix 3: Change File Explorer Properties

Fix 4: Disable File Explorer Preview

Fix 5: Tweak a System Policy Using Group Policy Editor

Fix 6: Disable Thumbnail Caching Using Registry Editor

Fix 7: Flush System Cache

Fix 8: Use Safe Mode

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8 Ways to Fix ‘File Is Open in Another Program’ Error in Windows#

Fix 1: Use Task Manager to Close the App#

Fix 2: Restart Windows Explorer#

Fix 3: Change File Explorer Properties#

Fix 4: Disable File Explorer Preview#

Fix 5: Tweak a System Policy Using Group Policy Editor#

Fix 6: Disable Thumbnail Caching Using Registry Editor#

Fix 7: Flush System Cache#

Fix 8: Use Safe Mode#

Was this helpful?#

Leave a ReplyCancel reply#

Read Next#

More in Windows#

5 Ways to Run Executables (EXE) Files From PowerShell#

Top 10 Ways to Fix Google Meet Microphone Not Working on Windows and Mac#

JOIN THE NEWSLETTER#

8 Ways to Fix ‘File Is Open in Another Program’ Error in Windows

Fix 1: Use Task Manager to Close the App

Fix 2: Restart Windows Explorer

Fix 3: Change File Explorer Properties

Fix 4: Disable File Explorer Preview

Fix 5: Tweak a System Policy Using Group Policy Editor

Fix 6: Disable Thumbnail Caching Using Registry Editor

Fix 7: Flush System Cache

Fix 8: Use Safe Mode

Was this helpful?

Leave a ReplyCancel reply

Read Next

More in Windows

5 Ways to Run Executables (EXE) Files From PowerShell

Top 10 Ways to Fix Google Meet Microphone Not Working on Windows and Mac

JOIN THE NEWSLETTER