[TracyCrawford]

I'm using Windows 7. I have the MS word 2007, but several older versions of files on the computer as well. I'm finding several files that I can not move or delete because of an error.

"This action can not be completed because the file is open in MS Word."

It's not. I've tried to resave a version under a new name, which works, but apparently doesn't "close" it.

Any ideas? I don't like these files cluttering my folders and no way to move or delete them.
Thanks.

[DaveA]

There may be a dialog box open behind the Word window. Minimize the Word window and clear the dialog bas(s) if there are any.

[TracyCrawford]

Nope. No dialog box. I can kill word and all applications and still have the same problem. This problem has actually persisted over days/weeks- including restarts. I'm just trying to track it down now.

It's something more subtle.

Thanks.

[DaveA]

Do you by chance have Outlook 2007 open with a email open?

[TracyCrawford]

There is some chance that I had Outlook 2007 open earlier, but I don't think so. (Only because I checked my mail on my phone and it downloaded 50 msgs.)

I tried again to delete one of several of the files just now confirming that Outlook was closed first and I'm getting the same error.

[DaveA]

Do a Ctrl-Alt-Del, and then task manager, and see if there is a session of Word or Outlook running, when you have this issue!

[TracyCrawford]

Tasks-
Folder - "All Montessori"
Documents
Chrome

(End Task - "Documents") and retried. Repeat of error.

Task Manager still only shows folders and chrome.

[TracyCrawford]

Figured out that "Documents" listed above was one of the "Libraries." in Windows.

[slurpee55]

I would suggest you get Unlocker - it is free. It will both tell you what has the file in use and allow you to close the offending program without having to reboot.

[TracyCrawford]

Thanks Slurpee55. The message looks perfect for the problem. I've downloaded and unzipped it. I've restarted my computer. I was able to delete one of the 5 or 6 files with this problem, but not the rest.

It's not apparent to me how to run "unlocker." It's not a right click operation, doesn't show in the program menu, and nothing happens when I double click it.

I "feel" stupid, and I'm not. I still need some help...

[TracyCrawford]

I'm still organizing files, so I periodically try to delete the ones that are stuck. It seems that one at a time they delete randomly. I still can't remove all of them nor actually use "unlocker."

Is this a background program?

[slurpee55]

I don't actually use Unlocker, I use a similar one called WhoLockMe (I didn't suggest it because it doesn't state that it operates in Windows 7) and it has to be run once to install - after that you right-click on the file in question and WhoLockMe is there in the pop-up menu above "Send To" and some other stuff (every menu will differ some, depending on what other programs you have installed.)
However, on the Unlocker web site, it says "Unlocker Assistant stays in your system tray bar and automatically launches Unlocker if you are trying to delete/rename/move a file that is locked. So for those who use Unlocker Assistant, no need to right click files or folders anymore. This feature can be deactivated during the install." From that, it sounds like, assuming that you have Unlocker Assistant installed, Unlocker should start automatically when you have trouble with a file.

So see if you have Unlocker Assistant in you system tray bar. And, yes, that would mean it kind of runs in the background.

[TracyCrawford]

I've got it in my system tray. I still can't get it to open or delete the files. As far as I can tell- it's a useless image of a magic wand.

I admit that it amuses me and I like magic wands and all... At some point, I'll try the Unlocker site and see if I can get more info.

Thanks Slurpee55.