WD: Can't Rename or Delete File in Open Dialog Box (File Menu)

• Microsoft Word for Windows 95, versions 7.0, 7.0a
• Microsoft Word 97 for Windows
• Microsoft Windows 95

SYMPTOMS

When you try to rename or delete a file in the Open dialog box (on the File menu, click Open) and you are viewing files in preview mode, you receive the following error message:

   Cannot rename [or delete] '<file name>'. Access is denied. Make sure
   the disk is not full or write-protected and that the file is not
   currently in use.

CAUSE

This error occurs when the file you are trying to rename or delete does not contain a preview picture. Because this picture is absent, Word must open the file so that you can scroll through it in the Open dialog box. When the file is open, Word cannot display the properties.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the Microsoft products listed at the beginning of this article. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.

WORKAROUND

Before you attempt to rename or delete a file, change the view from Preview to any other view (such as List, Details, or Properties) by clicking the appropriate button in the Open dialog box.

NOTE: You may have to close and then reopen the Open dialog box before you can rename or delete a file.

MORE INFORMATION

Preview picture allows a snapshot of the first page of the document to appear in the Open dialog box. You can save a preview picture of the document by clicking Properties on the File menu and clicking the Save Preview Picture check box to select it (the check box is in the lower-right corner of the Summary tab).