WinXP "cannot delete file"

Ambush · 15th February 2004, 10:58 AM

I recently reinstalled WinXP SP1 from a disk image using Acronis TrueImage. I can no longer delete files - including newly created or downloaded files - without the error message "Cannot delete file: It is being used by another person or program."

I can't even delete files in safe mode as the administrator.

pyr0x · 15th February 2004, 1:21 PM

Try uninstalling TrueImage.. also see if its running a background process, and terminate it. I think its called TrueImageMonitor.exe

Ambush · 15th February 2004, 2:35 PM

After much anguish and many re-installations of the OS, I've tracked down the culprit. It turns out the ZipGenius patch to version 1300 is responsible. My first hint was when I realised only archive files were being "locked..."

edit: version number

lowey2002 · 18th February 2004, 8:24 PM

It is my biggest greivance with XP that I can be denyed access to my own files. I find that the best way to delete them is with MSDOS (del)

MR CHILLED · 18th February 2004, 9:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by lowey2002
It is my biggest greivance with XP that I can be denyed access to my own files. I find that the best way to delete them is with MSDOS (del)

Yup.....that's the very last resort I try.....and it works every time. But I do the del from command mode after booting from the XP cd, not from within windows (yes I know you have to kill explorer first

).

dexster · 30th October 2005, 5:02 PM

hi... i did not want to start another thread as this is the problem i have...

can some explain how do delete a file using msdos??

the file is a driver update (but there is nothing there, 0kb) that has attached itself onto explorer.exe?!!?!

edit: my operating system is windows xp professional

nux · 30th October 2005, 5:08 PM

C:\> del filename

When you're in the same directory as the file.

dexster · 30th October 2005, 5:31 PM

thankyou for your quick reply...

the way i ended up deleting the problem file by renameing an 'equal' file in a separate directory (ie they both .exe's) with the problem files name and moving it into my desktop..
..then i cut the renamed file and pasted in to the folder the problem file was in..
..when it asked do you want to 'paste over the problem file' i selected hell YES..
..then i rebooted my computer..
..then i wen to the directory and deleted the file, no worries!!!!!

but i will not take credit for this as i found it in another thread and it was posted by 'looktall'

thankyou

-=N0N@ME420=- · 30th October 2005, 6:28 PM

does forcedel work?

I've never had to use it but in the event that I do...

afrikajeff · 30th October 2005, 6:50 PM

I had a file stuck on my desktop since February this year, tried everything I could think of (that included killing explorer, booting into safe mode, all the answers Google gave me), and it just wouldn't budge.

Downloaded 'Delete FXP Files' (thanks to a forum post elsewhere) and it was gone in a matter of seconds. Gold!

Zilla · 1st November 2005, 4:13 PM

Another method that has always worked for me, is to delete the file though Nero.

Serley · 4th November 2005, 7:28 PM

HigjackThis has a 'Delete on next boot' option which works well.

DrakeSoRz · 4th November 2005, 9:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zilla

Another method that has always worked for me, is to delete the file though Nero.

wow..thanks for that. That was the easiest and most simplest mehtod.

N_E_W_U_S_E_R · 12th November 2005, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lowey2002

It is my biggest greivance with XP that I can be denyed access to my own files. I find that the best way to delete them is with MSDOS (del)

I did it in safe mode i took ownership of the file through windows explorer

Coolio · 13th November 2005, 11:25 PM

Another way i have found to do it is rename the file, reboot then delete it.

15th February 2004, 10:58 AM	#1
Ambush Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Gladstone QLD Australia Posts: 1,941	WinXP "cannot delete file" I recently reinstalled WinXP SP1 from a disk image using Acronis TrueImage. I can no longer delete files - including newly created or downloaded files - without the error message "Cannot delete file: It is being used by another person or program." I can't even delete files in safe mode as the administrator. __________________ Got Freeware? Get Firefox!

15th February 2004, 2:35 PM	#3
Ambush Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Gladstone QLD Australia Posts: 1,941	After much anguish and many re-installations of the OS, I've tracked down the culprit. It turns out the ZipGenius patch to version 1300 is responsible. My first hint was when I realised only archive files were being "locked..." edit: version number __________________ Got Freeware? Get Firefox! Last edited by Ambush; 18th February 2004 at 11:27 PM.

18th February 2004, 8:24 PM	#4
lowey2002 Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Perth WA Posts: 429	It is my biggest greivance with XP that I can be denyed access to my own files. I find that the best way to delete them is with MSDOS (del) __________________ ...

30th October 2005, 5:02 PM	#6
dexster Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: adelaide Posts: 1,093	hi... i did not want to start another thread as this is the problem i have... can some explain how do delete a file using msdos?? the file is a driver update (but there is nothing there, 0kb) that has attached itself onto explorer.exe?!!?! edit: my operating system is windows xp professional Last edited by dexster; 30th October 2005 at 5:04 PM.

30th October 2005, 5:08 PM	#7
nux Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Melbourne Posts: 16,790	C:\> del filename When you're in the same directory as the file. Last edited by nux; 30th October 2005 at 5:08 PM.

15th February 2004, 1:21 PM	#2
pyr0x Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Melbourne Posts: 1,637	Try uninstalling TrueImage.. also see if its running a background process, and terminate it. I think its called TrueImageMonitor.exe

30th October 2005, 5:31 PM	#8
dexster Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: adelaide Posts: 1,093	thankyou for your quick reply... the way i ended up deleting the problem file by renameing an 'equal' file in a separate directory (ie they both .exe's) with the problem files name and moving it into my desktop.. ..then i cut the renamed file and pasted in to the folder the problem file was in.. ..when it asked do you want to 'paste over the problem file' i selected hell YES.. ..then i rebooted my computer.. ..then i wen to the directory and deleted the file, no worries!!!!! but i will not take credit for this as i found it in another thread and it was posted by 'looktall' thankyou

30th October 2005, 6:50 PM	#10
afrikajeff Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Brisbane (west) Posts: 386	I had a file stuck on my desktop since February this year, tried everything I could think of (that included killing explorer, booting into safe mode, all the answers Google gave me), and it just wouldn't budge. Downloaded 'Delete FXP Files' (thanks to a forum post elsewhere) and it was gone in a matter of seconds. Gold!

1st November 2005, 4:13 PM	#11
Zilla Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Melbourne Posts: 542	Another method that has always worked for me, is to delete the file though Nero.

4th November 2005, 7:28 PM	#12
Serley Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Melbourne Posts: 262	HigjackThis has a 'Delete on next boot' option which works well.

13th November 2005, 11:25 PM	#15
Coolio Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Melbourne 3186. Posts: 352	Another way i have found to do it is rename the file, reboot then delete it. __________________ My computer: AMD Opteron 144 @ 2.8ghz , 1GB TeamExtreem Winbond BH-5 @ 2-2-2-5 200mhz , DFI NF4 Ultra-D Board, Leadtek 7800GTX 256MB Sucessful Trades: Ralph321, phillipdoan, Eds, scorpian, JM3, ralfaford, huey48, Deja Vu, MunDo.O, hubrat, ndt, mute, mhef, adr_an, YoSiMeTe_SaM, SCopE