Cannot modify "Folder in use" when it really isn't

Gittarackur · 05 Apr 2018

I've started compiling Nintendo wallpapers recently, and I put them in folders in my Downloads. The problem is, when I want to rename a folder, I can't because it says it's "In use." I always close Windows Photo Viewer before I try to edit the name of the folder, but still no luck. So you'd think it's an issue with WPV not closing correctly right? Wrong. I can take all of the images out of the folder, and only THEN will it no longer be "in use."

Does anyone have any idea as to what's going on? I cleared my Local Temp folder, nothing, and when I try to set a folder as not shared, there's a little lock icon next to the option, so clicking it does nothing (I presume anyway, nothing appears when I click it.)

Also, ALL of the official Nintendo ARMS wallpapers (Yes, the ones you pay for by spending platinum coins on My Nintendo) in for everyone who posts when this is resolved.

ben946210 · 06 Apr 2018

Hello!

Have you tried restarting the system? I have a feeling it is something else using one of the files. Sometimes restarting will close off whatever is using the file. One sort of complicated thing you could do is use this https://www.nirsoft.net/utils/opened_files_view.html which will tell you what process is using what. I say complicated because there's going to be close to a thousand files open, but you can sort by path to narrow it down.

Another thing I recommend (which is probably the easiest) is to make a copy of the folder to somewhere else like your Documents folder. Then open the original folder with your images, select all and delete them. The one file in use will be the one left behind and it will usually tell you what process is using it. And since you made a copy, the file is no longer going to be in use since it's not the original.

I really hope this was helpful, if you have any further questions feel free to ask!

Ben R

metalbunny · 06 Apr 2018

I use Process Explorer to terminate processes that keep my files hostage, but it's a dangerous tool if you don't know what you're doing so I cannot safely recommend it to everyone.

BUT, there may be a setting in the programs you use (or have installed) that cause them to continuously access the folder. Like Google's Picasa will continuously scan folders where it thinks you might put images even when the main program isn't running. Your sinner may not be a program you actively use, it might just be one you have installed. Looking at what actually locks the folder/files is the only way to know which program you need to teach better manners.

lehnerus2000 · 07 Apr 2018

Windows Explorer often fails to properly close program handles/threads.

I regularly have issues with Windows Explorer claiming that external drives (Flash & HDD) are still in use.
If I use Process Explorer I can see the appropriate handles/threads, but I can't kill them as I get an error message saying they're invalid.

With image folders, I wonder if this issue is caused by thumbnail generation.
You could try changing your "Folder Options" to "Always show icons, never thumbnails", to test if that makes a difference.

Cannot modify "Folder in use" when it really isn't-we-folder-options-icons.png

Gittarackur · 08 Apr 2018

The "Icons not Thumbnails" trick didn't work for me. Also, I like thumbnails. It gets confusing when you have a thousand folders that all look the same, and I can't have fitty's head poking out of one to tell me it's his album.

Gittarackur · 08 Apr 2018

I restarted Malwarebytes and now it has stopped doing this. Weird. Probably a scan glitch.

Gittarackur · 08 Apr 2018

Gittarackur said:

I restarted Malwarebytes and now it has stopped doing this. Weird. Probably a scan glitch.

Turned Malwarebytes back on and it begun betraying me in the same way yet again. **** that shit. Uninstalled.

metalbunny · 08 Apr 2018

Gittarackur said:

Turned Malwarebytes back on and it begun betraying me in the same way yet again. **** that shit. Uninstalled.

Malwarebytes doesn't need to run all the time unless you tend to leave your computer running in the middle of a kindergarten. The program itself is okay, but the realtime protection is generally unnecessary and just slows everything down. This actually goes for just about any program that wants to run in the background or start with Windows. It's not necessary and just wastes resources. Startup.cpl is a great tool to fix that.