Tiffany Haney
Users of Windows 10 have reported an issue with deleting PDF files while the preview pane is open in Windows Explorer. When attempting to delete a PDF file, they receive an error message stating that the file is open in another program or being used by another application. This issue has been observed after the Feature update to Windows 10, version 1607 (Anniversary Upgrade). However, there are potential workarounds, such as installing a different PDF viewer like Foxit PDF Viewer, which changes the default preview application. Another suggested solution is to use the Shift + Delete command, which allows permanent deletion even with the preview pane open.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Operating System | Windows 10 |
| File Type | |
| Software | Adobe Acrobat Reader DC, Acrobat Reader, Adobe Acrobat |
| Workarounds | Install Foxit PDF viewer, change default preview app, use "Shift + Delete", change to Details Pane on View Tab, disable preview pane, close the file and reopen in a different directory |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- Users can't delete PDFs when previewing them with File Explorer
- The Preview Pane in Windows Explorer prevents PDF deletion
- An error message says the file is open in another program
- Installing a new PDF viewer can change default preview behaviour
- Using Shift + Delete allows users to delete files with the preview pane on
Users can't delete PDFs when previewing them with File Explorer
Users may encounter issues when trying to delete PDFs while previewing them with File Explorer. This issue has been observed on Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 10. When attempting to delete a PDF with the preview pane open, users may receive an error message stating that the file is "in use" or "open in another program."
This problem seems to be related to the default PDF viewer or handler. On Windows, the default PDF viewer is often Adobe Acrobat Reader, and some users have reported that Adobe locks the file, preventing its deletion. To resolve this issue, one suggestion is to change the default PDF viewer. For example, installing Foxit PDF Viewer or Sumatra changes the default preview app, allowing users to delete PDFs while still keeping Adobe as their default application.
Another workaround is to simply close the preview pane before attempting to delete the PDF file. Disabling the preview pane with GPO or changing it to the Details Pane on the View Tab are other potential solutions. Additionally, users can try dragging the PDF file to the Recycle Bin shortcut on the desktop or using the "Shift + Del" keyboard shortcut to bypass the Recycle Bin.
While these workarounds exist, it is unclear if Microsoft or Adobe is actively working on a permanent fix for this issue.
Cleaning Domino Pans: Easy Steps for Sparkling Results
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The Preview Pane in Windows Explorer prevents PDF deletion
The Preview Pane in Windows Explorer has been reported to prevent the deletion of PDF files. This issue has been observed in Windows 10 and Windows 11, with some reports suggesting that it may be related to specific versions of Windows, such as the "Feature update to Windows 10, version 1607" (Anniversary Upgrade).
When attempting to delete a PDF file with the Preview Pane open, users may encounter an error message stating that the file is "in use" or "being used by another application." This issue does not seem to affect other file types and appears to be specific to PDFs.
One temporary workaround for this issue is to change the Preview Pane to the Details Pane on the View Tab, which allows users to delete the PDF files as normal. Additionally, it has been suggested that using a different default PDF viewer, such as Sumatra or Foxit PDF Reader, may help resolve the issue. However, these workarounds may not be feasible for all users, especially in a network environment.
Microsoft has acknowledged the issue and a fix has been committed. However, it may take several weeks before the release of the update that resolves the problem. Until then, users may need to rely on temporary workarounds to manage their PDF files effectively.
Replacing Oil Pan in a 2008 Cobalt: Step-by-Step Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
An error message says the file is open in another program
If you are receiving an error message that says the file is open in another program, there are several solutions you can try.
First, try restarting your computer. This may close other apps or services using the file. If you are using Windows, you can also try restarting Windows Explorer. To do this, press Ctrl + Alt + Del to open Task Manager, right-click on Windows Explorer, and select "Restart".
You can also try using Task Manager to end the task that is using the file. Press Win + X and select Task Manager. Click the Processes tab, select the file or the program associated with it, and click "End Task".
Another solution is to empty your Recycle Bin. The Recycle Bin is a temporary storage location for deleted files, and by emptying it, you may also delete the file causing the error.
If none of the above methods work, the problem may be more serious. There may be a virus associated with the file, so it is recommended to run the file through your antivirus software to check for any viruses or malware.
How to Clean Baking Pans: Tips and Tricks
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Installing a new PDF viewer can change default preview behaviour
When you install a new PDF viewer, the default preview behaviour for your device may change. This is because the new PDF viewer will now be the default application for opening all PDF files. This can cause issues when trying to delete files with the preview pane open, as the device thinks the file is "in use" by the new default application.
For example, on Windows 10, the default PDF viewer is Microsoft Edge. If you were to install Adobe Acrobat Reader as your new PDF viewer, you would need to change the default app settings to reflect this. However, if you were to then try and delete a PDF file with the preview pane open in Windows Explorer, you may find that you are unable to do so. This is because, with the preview pane open, the file is still considered "in use" by the default PDF viewer, even if you are not actively viewing it.
A similar issue has been reported by users who have installed pdfgear as their default PDF viewer on macOS. In this case, the default viewer is Preview, but installing pdfgear changes the default behaviour, and users are unable to reset it to Preview. This is because, while pdfgear is excellent for converting and editing PDFs, it does not have a 'view' functionality, meaning users are unable to read PDFs with it.
To resolve issues with deleting files with the preview pane open, it is recommended to change the preview pane to the Details Pane on the View Tab. This will allow you to delete the files as normal. Alternatively, you can close the Preview Pane, then try deleting the file again.
Stove-Top Seasoning: How to Season Cast Iron Pans
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Using Shift + Delete allows users to delete files with the preview pane on
When you delete a file using the "Delete" key, it is moved to the Recycle Bin, which allows for easy recovery of the file. However, when using the Shift + Delete keyboard combination, the file bypasses the Recycle Bin and is permanently deleted from your system. This method is particularly useful when handling large files or when you are certain you will not need to recover the deleted content. Before using this powerful deletion method, it is important to understand that Shift + Delete makes file recovery significantly more difficult. While specialized recovery software might retrieve recently deleted files, the likelihood of successful recovery decreases dramatically compared to Recycle Bin restoration.
In Windows 10, users have reported an issue where they are unable to delete PDF files when the Preview Pane is open in Windows Explorer. This issue may be related to the "Feature update to Windows 10, version 1607" (Anniversary Upgrade). When attempting to delete a PDF with the Preview Pane open, users receive an error message stating that the file is "open in another program" or "being used by another program." To resolve this issue, users can change the Preview Pane to the Details Pane on the View Tab.
To permanently delete files with the Preview Pane open, users can try the following steps:
- Close the Preview Pane.
- Attempt to delete the PDF file again.
- If the "File is in use" error message persists, it may be due to the preview pane still running in the background. Keep trying to delete the file until successful.
- After the file is deleted, hit Ctrl+Z to bring it back.
- Re-open the preview pane and attempt to delete the file again, this time checking the "Permanently Delete" checkbox.
It is important to note that while the above steps may allow for the deletion of PDFs with the Preview Pane open, it is generally recommended to close the Preview Pane to avoid potential issues. Additionally, when using Shift + Delete to delete files, ensure that you have properly backed up important files and carefully selected the files you want to delete to prevent accidental data loss.
Make Shahi Paneer Gravy: Restaurant Style at Home
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The preview pane is considered a file in use, and therefore, you cannot delete the file while it is open.
You can close the preview pane and then delete the file. If that doesn't work, you can try installing a different PDF viewer, such as Foxit PDF viewer, which has been known to change the default preview app.
Yes, you can use "Shift + Delete" to permanently delete the file.
Yes, you can try disabling the preview pane with GPO.
