How To Fix “The action can't be completed because the file is open in ...” on Windows 11/10/8/7 ✅
👉 Are you getting the error “The action can’t be completed because the file is open in System or another program” when trying to delete, rename, move, or remove a file or folder on Windows? 😤
You’re not alone — this is one of the most frustrating Windows problems, and it can happen even when the file is NOT actually open.
In this video, I’ll show you reliable and working methods to fix and solve this issue step by step. This tutorial works on ALL Windows versions and editions, including Windows 11, Windows 10, Windows 8, and Windows 7, on any laptop, PC, computer, or desktop.
This error may appear with messages like:
The action cannot be completed because the file is open in System
File is open in another program
File is open in Windows Explorer
File is open in Runtime Broker
File is open in vgc
File is open in COM Surrogate
File is open in Google Chrome / Microsoft Edge
Folder in use
Many users face this problem while deleting .exe files, game captures, shared drive files, network folders, external drives, or system files, even when Task Manager or Resource Monitor shows nothing. Rebooting may fix it temporarily, but the problem often comes back.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to safely unlock, remove, and get rid of stubborn files without breaking Windows or losing data. I’ll also explain why this happens, how Windows locks files in the background, and how to avoid this issue in the future.
This fix works on devices from Dell, HP, Lenovo, ASUS, Acer, MSI, Samsung, Toshiba, Sony, Microsoft Surface, Razer, and more.
If Windows refuses to delete a file, this video will help you fix, solve, remove, delete, and permanently get rid of it the right way — fast and safely ✅
👉 Watch till the end for the most effective solution.
⏱ Timestamps / Chapters
0:00 – Intro
0:10 – How To Fix “The Action Can’t Be Completed Because the File Is open in System / another program” in Windows 11/10/8/7
0:59 - More Suggested Videos
📺 More Related Videos
▶️ Windows 11 Tutorials: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFStktVg2e4lzGCbhRYBPhCB8vFncdToj
▶️ Windows 10 Tutorials: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFStktVg2e4leA44bjCdxOg4u4sGB1ZGQ
👍 Support This Channel
If you found this video helpful, please:
✔️ Like the video
✔️ Subscribe for more helpful content: https://bit.ly/Click-Here-To-Sub
✔️ Comment your questions or feedback
✔️ Share with friends so they can benefit too
💲 Donate via PayPal to support: https://paypal.com/paypalme/VictorExplains
☕ Buy Me a Coffee: If you'd like to support the channel directly, every coffee helps a ton! https://ko-fi.com/victorexplains
🛒 Upgrade Your Tech : https://www.amazon.com/shop/victorexplains
🌐 Join Us on Social Media
🌎 Website: https://www.victorexplains.com/
📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Victorexplains
🐦 Twitter / X: https://twitter.com/VictorExplains
📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/victorexplains
📌 Pinterest: https://pinterest.co.uk/VictorExplains
❓ Have a Question?
Drop your question in the comments below or reach out via social media. I’ll try to respond as soon as possible ✍️.
📢 Disclaimer
This video is for educational purposes only. Copyright Disclaimer under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976 allows for “fair use” for teaching, comment, research, and more.
🔍 Hashtags
#WindowsFix #FileInUse #Windows11 #VictorExplains