Windows

How to Identify Processes with Open Files or Folders in Windows 10

When you try to rename a file or folder in Windows, you may get an error saying 'The action can't be completed because the file is open in another program.' To identify the process that has the file open, you can use the OPENFILES command, Sysinternals Handle command, Process Monitor, or Process Explorer.

Shou Arisaka
2 min read
Oct 30, 2025

When you try to rename a file or folder in Windows,

The action can't be completed because the file is open in another program.
```bash PS C:\pg\rails> mv tool tooltmp mv : The action can't be completed because the file is open in another program. At line:1 char:1 + mv tool tooltmp + ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ + CategoryInfo : WriteError: (C:\pg\rails\tool:DirectoryInfo) [Move-Item], IOException + FullyQualifiedErrorId : MoveDirectoryItemIOError,Microsoft.PowerShell.Commands.MoveItemCommand ``` you may get this error.

If we could identify the process that has the file open and taskkill it, that would be nice…

There are several ways to do this:

  • Search with the OPENFILES command
A restart is required.
  • Use Sysinternals Suite Handle command (recommended)
  • [Handle - Windows Sysinternals | Microsoft Docs](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/downloads/handle)
```powershell PS C:\pg\rails> C:\Users\UESR\Desktop\Handle\handle64.exe rails

Nthandle v4.11 - Handle viewer Copyright (C) 1997-2017 Mark Russinovich Sysinternals - www.sysinternals.com

explorer.exe pid: 6588 type: File 11BC: C:\pg\RAILS\devise\db\migrate explorer.exe pid: 6588 type: File 1390: C:\pg\RAILS explorer.exe pid: 6588 type: File 1578: C:\pg\RAILS explorer.exe pid: 6588 type: File 2804: C:\pg\RAILS\devise\db\migrate explorer.exe pid: 6588 type: File 2FD8: C:\pg\RAILS\devise\app\views\devise\registrations explorer.exe pid: 6588 type: File 2FE0: C:\pg\RAILS\devise\app\views\devise\registrations powershell.exe pid: 16252 type: File 4C: C:\pg\RAILS\dev___ powershell.exe pid: 716 type: File 4C: C:\pg\RAILS\dev___ powershell.exe pid: 8924 type: File 4C: C:\pg\RAILS\english powershell.exe pid: 16488 type: File 4C: C:\pg\RAILS\devise powershell.exe pid: 16608 type: File 4C: C:\pg\RAILS\devise atom.exe pid: 19220 type: File 884: C:\pg\RAILS\english atom.exe pid: 19220 type: File AEC: C:\pg\RAILS\english atom.exe pid: 19228 type: File 6B8: C:\pg\RAILS\devise atom.exe pid: 19228 type: File 750: C:\pg\RAILS\devise cmd.exe pid: 16944 type: File 4C: C:\pg\RAILS\tool ruby.exe pid: 28104 type: File 4C: C:\pg\RAILS\tool ruby.exe pid: 11316 type: File 2BC: C:\pg\RAILS\tool\log\development.log ruby.exe pid: 11316 type: File 32C: C:\pg\RAILS\tool handle64.exe pid: 15084 type: File 4C: C:\pg\RAILS PS C:\pg\rails>

<ul>
 	<li>Use Microsoft software
Process Monitor
Process Explorer</li>
</ul>

References:
<ul>
 	<li>[[Windows] ファイルを開いているプロセスを見つける | mofu犬blog](http://mofuken.blogspot.com/2014/08/windows.html)</li>
 	<li>[「Windows」ファイルを開いているプロセスを特定する方法いろいろ - プログラム日記](http://a4dosanddos.hatenablog.com/entry/2015/07/30/020159)</li>
</ul>

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Shou Arisaka Oct 30, 2025

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