How to delete a file when...

[dcool1]

How to delete a file when:

• Windows says 'file access denied'.
• 'File in use' error.
• Can't delete a file (insert cryptic reason).
• Rebooting doesn't help delete the file.

Can't delete a file in Windows? Here's what to do...


Despite all its quirks, Windows does do some things for a good reason. Some files need to be locked down when they are in use, otherwise you risk damaging the file or harming the Operating System. Unfortunately Windows XP seems to be plagued by files that cannot be deleted. These are frequently simple files like videos (AVI), MP3s or other seemingly harmless files. You try to delete the file, Windows waits a few seconds before announcing that access is denied, the file is currently in use and cannot be deleted. However, you know it's not in use and you just want it deleted.

If you have encountered this problem, here is a step-by-step process for trying to purge the files you can't delete. It starts with the basics for Windows XP and moves on to more involved tricks. The process will work for all recent Windows releases, but Windows XP has been causing the most the problems, so we will focus on it. Please note: we are assuming that the file is not crucial to the operation of Windows - deleting important system files can cause havoc

1. Is the file in use? It sounds obvious but it happens. If it is being used or open, close the file and the application that opened it. For example, if it is a Word document, close Microsoft Word.
2. If the file was opened in an application (and subsequently closed), but the program is still running, try quitting the program. Windows will lock a file because the application hasn't yet released it. This is not always Windows fault and can be the fault of the program.
3. If the file is an AVI, in particular a DivX AVI, try renaming it and then deleting it. DivX files don't get on very well with Windows XP and sometimes renaming the file can trick Windows into releasing it.
4. Reboot your PC and don't start any programs. Go directly to the file and delete it.
5. In Windows Explorer, switch to View-Details and then select View-Choose Details. Uncheck everything except the file name. This stops Windows XP trying to read the file - this problem affects many video, audio and graphics files.
6. Still no luck? OK, here is the best trick of all. Most sites give you cryptic Windows registry and DOS commands to remove a file, but the answer is so much simpler. Get a copy of Move On Boot s/w. It's free and this simple tool allows you to Move, Copy or Delete files before Windows can lock or alter the files. The changes are made to your hard drive before Windows starts, hence it requires a restart of your system after you give MoveOnBoot its instructions. There are no messy boot or DOS commands, just a simple 3-step process.
   
   Step 1: Locate the name of the file that is causing your problems.
   
   Step 2: Decide if you want to copy, move or delete the file.
   
   Step 3. Choose a destination for moving the file, or a new file name for the rename option (this option won't appear if you are deleting a file).
   
   Click OK to confirm you want to process. The nice thing is that the program doesn't make you reboot straight away. It's a good idea to reboot ASAP, but if you are in the middle of something and want to wait, the program will simply run next time you start Windows.
7. If the file reappears again (check its creation date to ensure it is being recreated) and you can't make it budge, you may have trouble with spyware or a virus on your system (don't overlook the possibility it may also be an important system file). In this case you should get a good spyware removal program to scan your system.

[Edited Batty] Source

[hailgautam]

nice info dude, thanx

[it_waaznt_me]

All the above info was blatantly copied from this link and no source was provided.

[thewisecrab]

I knew it all,nothing new here

[romeo_8693]

y so many steps?try unlocker!its given in so many digit cd's...

[ApoorvKhatreja]

dcool1, you are so very uncool. Plagiarism is totally not in. Please stop it. Reporting you to mod.

[Arsenal_Gunners]

^^Lol Mods have already commented on this topic.

[Pathik]

arey a mod had only revealed his plagiarism

[Pathik]

man we are mere mortals... not superheroes....
he is batman ... obviously he ll come to know abt it days b4 us :

[hailgautam]

Chill ppl, he's fresh-stock and he forgot to give the link, don't make a criminal out of him.

[hackers]

thx forthis effect
but it best to use unlocker

[trigger]

use the handy sw unlocker.. i guess best sw to deal with this kinda problem

http://www.google.co.in/search?q=unl...ient=firefox-a

[::cyborg::]

@dcool nice info dude but plz provide source from now on

why show ur heroic thing remember one thing (MODS KNOW EVERYTHING)

[kool]

i'm unable to delete one folder, its name is like this "zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz" and it has more than 200 subfolders with same name "zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz" when i checked its properties then it shows 0 KB. how2delete?? unlocker is unable 2 delete... i cant rename/move/copy this folder.

[koolbluez]

^^^^^
Ctrl+Alt+Del
In Task Manager, process tab, close explorer.exe
File->New Task(Run) -> explorer.exe

Try deleting again.

And.. hey... howz ur mouse problem?

[casanova]

Unlocker +1

[abhijangda]

Thank u my friend for this wonderfull stuff.

[kool]

Originally Posted by koolbluez

^^^^^
Ctrl+Alt+Del
In Task Manager, process tab, close explorer.exe
File->New Task(Run) -> explorer.exe

Try deleting again.

And.. hey... howz ur mouse problem?

buddy still i've problem. Ok, i'll post pics of that folder in new thread. By the way my mouse is working fine without doing anything.

[Choto Cheeta]

there is one tutorial section i guess... whats the tread doing here ??

also... Just to add a thing or 2... one linux live CD or booting from Command promt would do the job...

[sridatta]

Originally Posted by kool

i'm unable to delete one folder, its name is like this "zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz" and it has more than 200 subfolders with same name "zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz" when i checked its properties then it shows 0 KB. how2delete?? unlocker is unable 2 delete... i cant rename/move/copy this folder.

Have u tried Tuneup Shredder... I hope it will solve ur problem..

[ketanbodas]

Nice man. repd u

[kool]

Originally Posted by sridatta

Have u tried Tuneup Shredder... I hope it will solve ur problem..

yaar.......... i did everything.........

[kool]

Originally Posted by sridatta

Have u tried Tuneup Shredder... I hope it will solve ur problem..

yaar.......... i did everything......... unlocker says that: OBJECT DELETED SUCCESSFULLY!! but still its existing..

[koolbluez]

^^^^^^^^^
V I R U S.....

[kool]

Originally Posted by koolbluez

^^^^^^^^^
V I R U S.....

its not virus coz i've already checked it by AVG and NORTON.

Here i'm attaching all captured pics of that folder. I'm unable 2
delete/move/copy "ME" name folder. Its under e:\my documents\me2\me

when i check it by right clicking it shows 0 kb size with 20 subfolders of different type of name. Under tune up disk explorer its showing 351MB. now check all pics and reply.............

[ApoorvKhatreja]

Do you have an alternate operating system ? Like linux? If your partition is FAT32, then you can delete that folder using a linux live CD.

[kool]

its NTFS, and i've single os XP.

[sridatta]

Originally Posted by kool

its NTFS, and i've single os XP.

Try UNC notation to delete this folder....
Run CMD, use the command.. replace c:\folder with the path of ur parent folder...

 C:\> rd /s \\.\c:\folder

*Without ur intervention, if this is happened.. it is just because of some malware.. It need not necessarily be virus.. or need not be detected by NORTON or AVG...

[sude]

use a freeware called "unlocker"
goto "www.ccollomb.free.fr/unlocker/" to download.

-SUDE

[Arsenal_Gunners]

^^Before you 3 people in this thread have recommended unlocker