Can't Rename File, in use

[pow3rslave]

the other day i got a bunch of video clips off a mate, but they're all named retardedly and in sub folders, i figured to show them all easily in one view i'd just search the containing folder for *.avi using windows search, then rename them all with f2.
basically every 2nd or 3rd file i come to i'll type a name and when i hit enter it'll say 'can't rename, in use' but it's not.

i think it's to do with windows trying to find thumbs for them, but i'm not sure. after a couple of goes at entering it'll work, i've checked what's looking at the files in file explorer and nothing other than explorer is checking them out.

not urgent, just ****** annoying.

[MudBlood]

if you set the view to be list or details this should stop the thumbnail creation, does for me with pics so assume its the same with movie files.

also could be that the search is creating an index for the file, can you do it without the search? a lot more clicking etc, but may help this problem?

[arrow224]

Perhaps explorer.exe is also accessing them? If so:

- open a cmd prompt
- end the explorer.exe process, make sure it doesn't come back on
- change directory (cd ) in the CMD window to the folder where the videos are kept.
- use the rename command (if you need help using it, simply type rename /? )
- rename files
- start explorer.exe again
- close CMD.

[burnz]

sometime's WMP doesent close all atached dll's simply ctrl+alt+del and end task WMP then rename.

even when WMP is closed it still references the avi.

[holdensupporter2005]

Try using a program called "Unlocker". Once you have installed it, right click the file and Unlocker should be in the menu. You can then Unlock the file, rename, delete, copy or move the file.
very handy program.