How can I rename files and folders in Windows that are in use?

"Here's my current workaround:

I stopped using Teracopy as my default copy handler (but I have not yet uninstalled it). After copying a folder, I would go into it, and then back out. Then I could rename it. Else, I would just have to wait a while."

"Here's my current workaround:

I stopped using Teracopy as my default copy handler (but I have not yet uninstalled it). After copying a folder, I would go into it, and then back out. Then I could rename it. Else, I would just have to wait a while."

"You can unlock a file using a freeware tool named Unlocker. You can download it from FileHippo.

If you've ever been unable to delete a file in Windows, and can't figure out what program's using it, Unlocker is the solution. Have you ever seen these Windows error messages?


Cannot delete folder: It is being used by another person or program
Cannot delete file: Access is denied
There has been a sharing violation.
The source or destination file may be in use.
The file is in use by another program or user.
Make sure the disk is not full or write-protected and that the file is not currently in use.


Unlocker can help! Simply right-click the folder or file and select Unlocker. If the folder or file is locked, a window listing of lockers will appear. Simply click Unlock All and you are done!"

Often times if you're trying to rename videos, or folders that contain videos, explorer will be trying to make thumbnails using media player, which locks the file or directory. If you sit there for thirty seconds then try again, it will work. The only way I've found to avoid this is to disable thumbnails of media files, but that's not really ideal.

"This is likely to be caused by one of two things:

An AV program scanning the files that have just been created.
The Windows 7 indexing function processing the newly created file/folder.

I had this same trouble when I installed Windows 7 and was able to tweak the search/indexing functionality to not process files and that resolved it. On the start button type index into the Search programs and files option. This should bring up Indexing Options as one of the items. Open that program and then select the Users location and click modify. In here I deselected the folder that holds most of my files.

The downside of this is that your files are not indexed - the upside is you actually get to work with them when you want - not when the system lets you."