File Cannot Open

How to Delete a Word File When Windows Says It Is Still Open

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user is unable to delete a Microsoft Word document because the system mistakenly flags it as currently open and in use, even after disabling the preview pane.

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Attempting to delete a document that became read-only and locked after an unexpected system shutdown.
Observed behavior: Windows prevents the file from being deleted and displays an error message stating that the file is still open in Microsoft Word.

Before you start

Ensure you have saved all other active work and temporarily close any open folders in Windows Explorer before modifying application cache directories.

Solution 1Recommended

Clear the Microsoft Office File Cache

This solution forces Windows and Word to release the phantom lock on your document by clearing the local background cache.

When an unexpected shutdown occurs, Microsoft Office may leave behind temporary locking files in its cache directory. Renaming or clearing this cache removes the broken file lock, allowing Windows to manage the file normally.

Remove the file from Word's Recent list

Open Microsoft Word, navigate to your 'Recent' documents list, right-click the problematic file, and select 'Remove from list'.

Close all Office applications

Ensure that Microsoft Word, Excel, and all other Office applications are completely closed. Check your system tray or Task Manager to verify no Office background processes are running.

Rename the OfficeFileCache folder

Press the Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog. Type `%localappdata%\Microsoft\Office\16.0` (or navigate to C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Office\16.0) and press Enter. Locate the folder named 'OfficeFileCache' and rename it to 'OfficeFileCache.old'.

Restart and delete

Restart your computer. Once rebooted, navigate to the folder where your read-only Word file is saved and delete it normally.

Safe Operation: Renaming the cache folder is perfectly safe. Office will automatically generate a fresh, uncorrupted cache folder the next time you open an application.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Avoid File Locking Issues with WPS Office

If you frequently encounter frustrating file locks or cache corruption in Microsoft Word, consider switching to WPS Office. It is a highly compatible, lightweight, and completely free alternative that handles your existing documents without bloated background caching processes.

1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS website and download the free WPS Office installer.
2. Install and Set as Default: Run the installation and choose to set WPS Office as your default program for Word documents.
3. Edit Your Documents: Double-click any existing .docx file to open, edit, and save seamlessly without file locking interruptions.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Office formats including .docx and .doc.Lightweight architecture minimizes file locking and background cache errors.Familiar, tabbed user interface allows for seamless and immediate migration.Free to use with a comprehensive suite of editing tools for all your daily tasks.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Windows think my file is open when it isn't?

When a program crashes or the computer shuts down unexpectedly, temporary 'lock' files (often starting with ~$) are left behind. These files tell Windows that the document is still being edited, preventing deletion.

What should I do if I can't find the AppData folder?

The AppData folder is hidden by default in Windows. You can access it by typing %localappdata% into the Windows search bar or Run dialog, or by enabling 'Hidden items' under the View tab in Windows Explorer.

Can I just force delete the file using a third-party tool?

While third-party file unlockers exist, they can sometimes cause system instability if they terminate critical processes. Clearing the Office cache is a safer, built-in method that directly resolves the root cause of the Office file lock.

Document & File Issues