A file was left opened in Windows 2000. How can I unlock this file?

[IsOs]

I need to either delete, rename or save a new version with the exact name. I have admin access but I can't seem to unlock, or rename this file. Any help is appreciated. Thanks

 

[singh]

Are you sure a process doesn't have the file opened? Scan the taskmanager to make sure some frozen process is not holding the file. If you find one, kill it and the file lock should go away.

 

[IsOs]

I rebooted the computer twice already and still the computer is saying that the file was left opened. I tried deleting in the command prompt and I got the same thing - file is opened and cannot be deleted.

 

[singh]

Download this utility from SysInternals. It will tell you which process has a lock on the file.

You could always use a boot-disk and delete the file from pure DOS (if the file system is FAT).

 

[IsOs]

I've downloaded the program but the file is not listed anywhere. I have rebooted the computer at least twice before. I don't think there's an actual process that's accessing the file.

Windows 2000 still say that there's a sharing violation if I attempt to delete or rename the file.

 

[singh]

OK then, if the partition is FAT32, then use a Windows 98 boot-disk to start is DOS mode and delete the file from the dos prompt.

 

[RaySun2Be]

Have you tried going into Safe Mode and deleting the file?

Also try going into Safe Mode, Command Line and try manually deleting the file:

del [drive:][path] filename /f


for example, c:\downloads\mylockedfile.wri /f


If that doesn't work, go into recovery console and try deleting the file there.

 

[Robor]

Can't you do an F8 and go to command prompt only then navigate to the directory and delete/rename/move the file?

 

[IsOs]

Thanks for the replies.

The file system is not FAT32 so I cannot simply boot with a floppy and delete the file.

I wasn't able to move the file to any other directory. It gives a sharing violation as well. I was able to rename the original directory and was able to delete the renamed directory.

I don't know if going into safe mode will work. By the time I read the replies, I have deleted the directory.

Mahalo Nui Loa.

 

[mikecel79]

Have you check the permissions on the file? Is it possible that the administrator account was taken off the file? If you so need to take ownership of the file and reset permissions.

 

[Nothinman]

If deleting the directory worked but deleting the file didn't, you had the stupid web preview sh!t on which opens the file to preview it and prevents you from working on it.

 

[NogginBoink]

Q228930.