How do I delete AVI files in XP?????

[BD231]

Most of my AVI movies say they are being used by other programs when I try to delete them, even when there are no other programs open, any way around this??

 

[AndyHui]

Actually, the preview in the side has them open.

What you have to do is select another file first, then right click directly on the file that you want to delete. It's a bit odd, but that's the way it works.

 

[BD231]

Gottcha, that did the trick, although it seems that AVI files are more prone to not deleting. Probably because it takes the computer a fair amount of time to present the preview though with AVIs, as they never show up untill I'm about to close the folder . MP3s/mpegs dont seem to have this problem.

 

[Doh!]

For anyone who has this problem with .avi files and wants to fix it permanently:

1. Open up regedit
2. Goto HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\SystemFileAssociations\.avi\shellex\PropertyHandler
3. Delete the "Default" value which should be "{87D62D94-71B3-4b9a-9489-5FE6850DC73E}"

The downside is that the preview / advanced info for the file will not be avilable (i.e., bit rate, length, etc.).

 

[Buzzman151]

also, running CMD and deleting some of the stubborn AVI's through there usually does the trick.

 

[Hulk]

Another trick is to use the "del" command from a DOS window. This will only work if you have NOT already highlighted the troublesome file.

 

[RVN]

I got around the problem by simply unchecking the "use common tasks in folders" selection in system properties/advanced/performance settings/visual effects.

Then, when I'm done deleting or moving them, I check the box.

 

[Maezr]

How do you get into 'system properties'?

 

[RVN]

Originally posted by: Maezr
How do you get into 'system properties'?

Start/right click on My Computer/Properties/Advanced/Performance Settings/Visual Effects/Use common tasks in folders (third one from the bottom).

 

[Jeff7]

Originally posted by: Doh!
For anyone who has this problem with .avi files and wants to fix it permanently:

1. Open up regedit
2. Goto HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\SystemFileAssociations\.avi\shellex\PropertyHandler
3. Delete the "Default" value which should be "{87D62D94-71B3-4b9a-9489-5FE6850DC73E}"

The downside is that the preview / advanced info for the file will not be avilable (i.e., bit rate, length, etc.).

I had just had this problem - couldn't delete an AVI. The user Mindstorm suggested that I create a small text file in the directory with the AVI, and delete them both - I did that, did erase *.* - they were gone, both files.
I'll try this fix too; and I won't miss the preview thing - if I select another file while a video is playing, the video stutters as the PC examines the next file.

 

[clicknext]

Originally posted by: Doh!
For anyone who has this problem with .avi files and wants to fix it permanently:

1. Open up regedit
2. Goto HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\SystemFileAssociations\.avi\shellex\PropertyHandler
3. Delete the "Default" value which should be "{87D62D94-71B3-4b9a-9489-5FE6850DC73E}"

The downside is that the preview / advanced info for the file will not be avilable (i.e., bit rate, length, etc.).

This only gets rid of the preview for avi, right? I actually find the preview for pictures useful sometimes.

 

[elkinm]

I use the AVI properties page far too much. And I also use the previews but not as much though.
What I would like to know if it is possible to configure the shellex properties handler to just give the properties quickly on redable files without going through the entire file and maybe have a one second timeout to do the access so it would not get stuck on incomplete exe files.
WMP can easily identify if a file is playable or not and all it takes is one frame for it to generate the first image and get file properties so why does shellex have to be so slow?