# WinXP will not let me rename file/folder **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 2, 2006, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/winxp-will-not-let-me-rename-file-folder/371247 "2006-09-02T22:31:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Thin\_Ice](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/aeb1de/32.png) [@Thin\_Ice](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thin_Ice)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2006, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/winxp-will-not-let-me-rename-file-folder/371247/1 "2006-09-02T22:31:17Z")
My OS is WinXP Home w/Service Pack 2 and I have a problem occassionally when I’m working in a file or folder and then decide to rename it. I close the file or folder, but when I try to rename it I get this error message: Cannot rename (file/folder name): It is being used by another person or program. Close any programs that might be using the file and try again. There is no other person or program using the file/folder. The problem is intermittent but when it happens it persists for hours or until I shut down the computer. The file/folder has been closed for hours and Windows still claims it’s in use. Why won’t Windows release it? I checked the MS knowledge base without success so I thought I’d ask some of the mavens here before I email Microsoft. Any thoughts. ---
**Author:** ![yoyodyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/a9a28c/32.png) [@yoyodyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yoyodyne)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2006, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/winxp-will-not-let-me-rename-file-folder/371247/2 "2006-09-02T22:38:23Z")
Use [WhoLockMe](http://www.dr-hoiby.com/WhoLockMe/) to see what’s keeping it open. I would suspect an anti-virus program. ---
**Author:** ![Thin\_Ice](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/aeb1de/32.png) [@Thin\_Ice](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thin_Ice)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2006, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/winxp-will-not-let-me-rename-file-folder/371247/3 "2006-09-03T12:19:17Z")
That sounds like just what I need. Thanks, yoyodyne. I did check the Task Manager before I posted and nothing showed up on the applications tab; in processes, I don’t know. Thanks again. ---
**Author:** ![Jman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jman/32/4416_2.png) [@Jman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jman)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2006, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/winxp-will-not-let-me-rename-file-folder/371247/4 "2006-09-03T18:24:04Z")
I have the same problem…problem is, it’s explorer that’s locking it. Why? ---
**Author:** ![yoyodyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/a9a28c/32.png) [@yoyodyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yoyodyne)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2006, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/winxp-will-not-let-me-rename-file-folder/371247/5 "2006-09-03T18:59:34Z")
[QUOTE=Jman] I have the same problem…problem is, it’s explorer that’s locking it. Why? [/QUOTE] Is the file selected or displayed in any other explorer window at the same time? What kind of file is it? ---
**Author:** ![Jman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jman/32/4416_2.png) [@Jman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jman)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2006, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/winxp-will-not-let-me-rename-file-folder/371247/6 "2006-09-03T19:04:13Z")
Nope…I get this problem trying to delete older .tif files that I use when I convert photos from RAW. I create the TIF, then do extra postprocessing. I save the final processed image, but I don’t need the interim after that. I can’t delete them because explorer is using them, even if I just open the window, selcect and delete. Rather annoying. No, they’re not protected either. ---
**Author:** ![yoyodyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/a9a28c/32.png) [@yoyodyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yoyodyne)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2006, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/winxp-will-not-let-me-rename-file-folder/371247/7 "2006-09-03T23:03:58Z")
If you have thumbnail or filmstrip view on try turning it off. If that doesn’t help go to Control Panel, Folder Options, View tab, and check “Do not cache thumbnails” and see what happens.