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How do I delete a folder that's in use?

Fresh7 days ago
Mar 15, 2026577374 views
Confidence Score1%
1%

Problem

Sometimes when I'm working in Windows I'll get this prompt when I try to delete a directory: However, the folder isn't "in use" at all, and I don't have it open. So how can I delete it short of rebooting?

Error Output

Folder In Use
The action can't be completed because the folder is open in another program
Close the folder and try again.

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1 Fix

Canonical Fix
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New Fix – Awaiting Verification

Fix for: How do I delete a folder that's in use?

Low Risk

There's a native GUI for Windows: Start>>All Programs>>Accessories>>System Tools>>Resource Monitor (or Run ) You can search for the "Associated Handles" using the searchbox (circled in red), and right click the process you want to end. As an example, in the image below I could not delete my Eclipse directory. Searching for the Eclipse associated handles showed that the adb.exe had a handle to the directory. After ending the adb process, I could then delete the Eclipse directory.

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