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Question

Constant issue with deleting folders in Windows 8 Home

Aug 12, 2013 1:40AM PDT

This problem is REALLY starting to tick me off. I try to delete a folder, and I get this:

http://i.stack.imgur.com/yQvpZ.png

I don't have any programs open and the only open window is the one with the folder I'm trying to delete. Finally figured out after some searching that it was the Thumbs.db file, a hidden windows specific file, that was keeping me from deleting it.

Usually I can just unhide protected system files, go into the folder and delete the Thumbs.db file and it lets me delete the folder. The only remedy I have found for this is to turn off thumbnail caching, which makes folder navigation a lot less useful when going through photo folders. Does anyone know of another way to remedy this and WHY Microsoft has had this bug since at least Vista and still hasn't fixed it?! It's driving me crazy! TIA!!

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Just a guess.
Aug 12, 2013 3:35AM PDT

I had this happen on a prior version and the lock on the folder would go away after a reboot. Later it was tracked down to an user installed CODEC with a bug.

Very advanced stuff but you bring up a good point. Should Microsoft lock down the OS even further and deny addons such as CODECS to keep folk from thinking it's a MSFT issue?
Bob

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I wish...
Aug 12, 2013 4:59AM PDT

But in the research I did, I found it on the MS forums several times and each time, the either suggested turning off thumbnail caching, which isn't really an option IMO, or make a Group Policy change, which I can't do in Home as gpedit.msc isn't available. These seemed to be the only two options they had.And it seems as though it's been going on for a while.

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I can't offer much else.
Aug 12, 2013 7:59AM PDT

It's not a bug we see here anymore now that we know to check into the CODEC issue. As it was not a Microsoft issued codec it's pretty tough to call it a MSFT bug but you bring up a second good question.

Should we expect users to know about this area?
Bob

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Answer
Constant issue with deleting folders in Windows 8 Home
Aug 16, 2013 6:45AM PDT