Unable to complete operation: File is already open in COM Surrogate Fix.

COM agents or Component Object Model agents are extension processes used by host processes (mainly .dll files) to perform various tasks. When the COM agent fails, it does not crash the host process, but it may create new problems. For example, when you try to delete a file from File Explorer, you may see an error message - "The file is in use and the operation cannot be completed because the file is already open in a COM agent ". This is simply because the COM agent process is still using the file.

Solution -

1. The first thing you should do is restart the system. After just one reboot, you can delete the file.

2. If you are using anti-virus software, please disable it and try deleting the file again.

Fix 1 – End the COM Surrogate process

You can end the COM Surrogate process after killing the subsequent dll process.

1. Just press all Ctrl Shift Esc three keys at the same time.

2. When the Task Manager page appears, go to the "Details" section.

3. Here you will find many processes and services running on your system. Now, just look for the "dllhost.exe" process in the list.

4. Once you find the service, right-click it and click "End Task" to terminate the process.

5. After that, navigate to the “Processes” tab.

6. If you look carefully, you will find the "COM Surrogate" process. Just right-click on it and click "End Task" to end the process.

7. If there are multiple instances of the "COM Surrogate" process, end these processes as well.

Finally, just close the Task Manager screen. Now, it is very important to restart the system.

After the machine restarts, log in with your account and try again to delete the files from the system. You will no longer encounter COM Surrogate error messages.

Fix 2 – Full Control of the Folder

You must have full control of the folder containing the file.

1. Open the file location and go to the folder containing the file you want to delete.

2. Now, just right click on the folder and click on "Properties".

3. On the Properties page, go to the Security section.

4. Here, just select "Administrator".

5. Then, click "Edit" to make changes.

6. After that, select the " Administrators " parameter again.

7. Now, just check the “Allow” box next to the “Full Control” option.

8. After that, first click "Apply" and then click "OK" to save the changes.

Try to delete the file from the system. Check if this is possible.

Fix 3 – Give full permission

If allowing folder permissions doesn’t work, try granting full permissions to the COM agent process itself.

1. First, press the Ctlr Shift Esc keys at the same time.

2. After the Task Manager appears, enter the "Process" tab and find the "COM Surrogate" process.

3. Just right click on it and click on "Properties".

4. In the dllhost properties page, go to "Security".

5. Now, click on the “Edit” button.

6. Now, select "User" from the parameters page and check the "Full Control" box.

7. Don’t forget to click “OK” to save changes.

Now, try deleting the file again. This time you will definitely succeed.

Fix 4 – Kill the Process

If some applications are still using the file you want to delete, they should be closed. If the app is still running in the background, use Task Manager to kill it.

1. Just press the Win key and X key at the same time.

2. Later, just click on "Task Manager" to access it.

3. Now, there are two parts here. In the Applications section, look for any applications that may be associated with the file.

4. If you can find the app, just right-click it and click "End Task" to end the app.

If this is the case, feel free to minimize Task Manager and delete the file.

#5. If you cannot find the app directly or still see the same error message, look for the app in the Background Processes section.

6. Once you find the application process, right-click it and click "End Task" to kill it.

Afterwards, close Task Manager and try deleting the file again.

Fix 5 – Use Clean Boot Mode

Just boot the system in clean mode and try to delete the files.

1. You must open the running terminal. So, right-click on the Windows icon on the taskbar and click "Run".

2. Then, enter this code and click "OK".

配置文件

3. You have gone to "General".

4. Just click on the "Selective Startup" option.

5. Just check these two options in the list -

加载系统服务加载启动项

6. Now, in the " Services" section, you just check the "Hide all Microsoft Services" option.

8. Just check all third-party apps in the list.

9. Then, click on the “Disable All” option to disable all these services.

10. Next go to the "Startup" area and click on "Open Task Manager" to access it.

11. Now that you are on the Task Manager page, just right-click on each application and click on "Disable" to disable it.

With this, make sure you have disabled all unnecessary applications.

Close the Task Manager window when finished.

12. Just click "Apply" and "OK" to save your changes.

13. If you receive a prompt to restart your system, click "Restart".

Your computer will start in clean boot mode.

Now, open File Explorer, go to the location of the file and delete it from there.

Fix 4 – Turn off DEP

DEP or Data Execution Prevention is just another feature you can disable before deleting files.

1. You must right-click on the Windows icon and click "Run".

2. After that, type "sysdm.cpl" in the "Run" window and click "OK".

3. Just enter the "Advanced" area.

4. Here you will find performance options. Just tap "Settings" to explore.

5. Come to the performance options window and enter the "Data Execution Prevention" section.

6. After that, just click the "Enable DEP only for essential Windows programs and services" box to check it.

This will not allow any third-party applications to use DEP functionality.

7. Now, just click on "Apply" and "OK".

After this, try to delete the file from the system.

Fix 5 – Uninstall the Application

If nothing else works, you must uninstall the application associated with the file.

Example – Let’s say you are deleting a pdf file and encounter this problem. Therefore, you can uninstall Adobe Reader or any application through which you access the file.

1. Press the Win key and the R key.

2. Then, enter “ appwiz.cpl ” and click “ OK ”.

#3. When the Programs and Features page opens, look for the application in the application list.

4. Right-click on it and click on "Uninstall" to uninstall the application from your system.

After uninstalling the application, delete the file from your system.

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