Unable to remove empty directory due to "checked out file"

Question

_{Thursday, February 4, 2016 8:18 PM}

I have a library that has versioning turned on.  I was reorganizing the directory via a mapped drive and moved a bunch of files out of an old directory structure into a new one (ctrl-A, ctrl-X in old directory, then ctrl-V in new directory to mass-move files).  Once done, I went back and deleted the old, empty directories.  Apparently, there was a file in one of these that was checked out, because, even though the directory is empty, when I try to delete it, SharePoint gives me the following error:

Error

The file is currently checked out or locked for editing by another user.

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Where can I go to find/release this no-longer-existing checkout?

All replies (5)

_{Thursday, February 4, 2016 11:02 PM ✅Answered}

HI Paul,

Here is the resolution for you

http://www.learningsharepoint.com/2015/06/30/when-users-cant-delete-a-folder-in-sharepoint/

Please remember to click 'Mark as Answer' on the answer if it helps you

_{Friday, February 5, 2016 12:57 AM}

This may be happening because there is no checked in version of the file.  Basically someone uploaded a file and never checked it in, which means only the person who uploaded it can see it.

To hand this:

in the library in question, go to Library Settings

Under Permissions and Management choose "Manage Files which have no checked in version".

it should show you the file and allow you to check it, then delete it.

_{Friday, February 5, 2016 1:53 AM}

, if the file is checked out by other users, you cannot check in it. In this situation, I suggest you get all the files which have been checked out and then contact these users to check them in. Here is the suggestion about how to get all the checked out files.

1. Go to the Library Settings.
2. Click the All Documents view to edit it.
    - Select the** Checked Out To** column in the Column section.
    - In Sort section, select Check Out To column.
    - In **Folders **section, select Show all items without folders.
3. Save and check the library with the All Documents view.

_{Friday, February 5, 2016 1:56 AM}

Clicking the delete button resulted in the popup stating:
"The file is currently checked out or locked for editing by another user."

Tried deleting via all possible means (Explorer mode, Datasheet Mode, Power Shell), but with the same result.
Some blogs suggested deleting using SharePoint Designer 2010, but could not find a way to do so using SPD. Would be grateful if someone pointed out a link where it is explained how to view list/doc lib items using SPD and working upon them.

While researching the issue I browsed to:
"Document library settings --> Manage files which have no checked in version"

On the resulting page I found there was a file under the problematic folder and this file was checked out to a user. Look for the folder name under the Location column.

Took ownership of the document and published a major version, after which I was able to delete the folder

_{Friday, February 5, 2016 9:29 PM}

This was it, though my menu options in the Library settings were not identical to those in the referenced article.  I found the problem (a file that someone else had created in this directory and never checked in) by using the "Manage files which have not checked in version."  The interface allowed you to gain control over the document, at which point I could delete it and clean up the directories.