Can't delete file - In use by a program

[Dman877]

So I started downloading a file (patch for an old game) but cancelled the download. However, there's like a place-holder file, 0 bytes, that I can't delete. Whenever I try, it tells me it's in use. Is there a way to find out what program is using it? I can't imagine that there's actually a program using this file though. I tried closing explorer and deleting the file but it still didn't work. Also didn't work from the command line...

 

[pcgeek11]

Originally posted by: Dman877
So I started downloading a file (patch for an old game) but cancelled the download. However, there's like a place-holder file, 0 bytes, that I can't delete. Whenever I try, it tells me it's in use. Is there a way to find out what program is using it? I can't imagine that there's actually a program using this file though. I tried closing explorer and deleting the file but it still didn't work. Also didn't work from the command line...

Give it a shot from SAFE MODE.

pcgeek11

 

[Dman877]

Got the same error in safe mode .

 

[cubby1223]

There is some utility available on the internet to ignore all Windows safeguards and delete a specified file.

Can't tell you what that utility is, though. Maybe someone else knows. If it comes to me I'll repost

 

[Budman]

http://www.tucows.com/get/335686_127739

 

[Dman877]

Thanks budman, that did it. I had to "schedule the file for deletion on next reboot" because I got the same error. After a reboot, it was gone though.

 

[Budman]

Originally posted by: Dman877
Thanks budman, that did it. I had to "schedule the file for deletion on next reboot" because I got the same error. After a reboot, it was gone though.

:thumbsup: Glad I could help.

 

[corkyg]

Very often, the sneaky program "using" file is something like System Restore or Recycle. We sometimes forget to not use those programs on drives or files we want to delete.