delete a file

lesch2k

Golden Member
Feb 15, 2001
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how do you delete a file in windows if it says being used by another programor user. the file isnt being used by anyone.???

edit : thanks all - i went with the command line deletion
 

zimu

Diamond Member
Jun 15, 2001
6,209
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Originally posted by: lesch2k
how do you delete a file in windows if it says being used by another programor user. the file isnt being used by anyone.???

lol, love the responses! depends on what file you're tryign to delete. if you hit ctrl+alt+delete and go to task manager, sometimes you can see the process still running even if you closed the window that was using the file you're trying to delete.
 

MrScott81

Golden Member
Aug 31, 2001
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also you can try end tasking explorer.exe, and then go to file, run and type "explorer" to restart explorer....or you could just restart your computer :)
 

MattCo

Platinum Member
Jan 29, 2001
2,198
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Go to a cmd window and do a 'net file' command to see if anyone is using that file over network. You might also check permissions on the file to make sure you have access to it.

If all else fails, boot a dos disk and delete it manually.

-MC
 

dullard

Elite Member
May 21, 2001
25,654
4,168
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There are times where all of the suggestions here fail. A file may be permanently marked by Windows as in use - no matter how many programs you close, or how many times you reboot. I had this happen once to a whole folder on my desktop and I couldn't delete it or move it. I tried posting here and got nowhere. Eventually for other reasons I put in a Win 2000 drive into the machine. I had the brilliant idea to delete the file on the Win XP drive while in Win 2000. It worked.
 

Stojakapimp

Platinum Member
Jun 28, 2002
2,184
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i'm also having problems deleting a file, although it's not in use...it just says it's write-protected and then explorer crashes....i've looked at the properties and there's no check box next to write protected or anything....So how do I delete it? Keep in mind that explorer crashes when I'm in that directory for too long.

My thinking would be that I need to just get into MS-Dos and do it from there, but I can't restart in MS-Dos mode because my keyboard is USB and won't be detected in Dos
 

Harvey

Administrator<br>Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
35,057
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It depending on which version of Windows you're using. If you are on Win 98, boot to the DOS prompt, go to the directory (folder) that has the file, and type, DELTREE/Y [file_name] <Enter>. If this doesn't delete the file, try changing the attributes with the command, ATTRIB -R -S -H [file_name] <Enter>. Then, try to delete it again.

The second command makes sure the attributes are set so the file isn't Read-Only, System, or Hidden.
 

chocoruacal

Golden Member
Nov 12, 2002
1,197
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XP loooooves to do this with media files. Just delete it from the command line or command prompt.