How to delete a file that has a sharing violation

[Rockhound]

Does anyone know how I can delete a file that refuses to let me delete it because it has a sharing violation? This particular file is not being used or shouldn't be anyway as far as I know. It is simply a downloaded file that for some reason is somehow in use. I've tried deleting other files in the same directory w/o a problem and am also doing it with admin access, but still no go. I'm running under W2k. I also don't see it as a process running on the system. It is listed as an application program, but is not a running app.

 

[bacillus]

is it a video file?

 

[ELopes580]

i either reset the computer, or what i also do, is go into a command/DOS box and just delete the file that way, has worked for me everytime

 

[Smilin]

sysinternals has a utility called handle to tell you what has a file open.

You can also delete from safemode sometimes. You can also check shares under computer management to see if it's open from the network.

 

[spyordie007]

Originally posted by: bacillus
is it a video file?

Is it?

There is an issue sometimes where Windows explorer will open video files in order to load up thumbnails and than wont release the lock on the file. You may want to Google it if your problem is with a video file.

 

[stephbu]

Sysinternal ProcExplorer also lets you close the file handle (or the application that owns the file handle) too. Usually no need to reboot - or use safemode etc... for non-system files.

 

[civad]

Did you try booting into safe mode and then deleting the file?

 

[Skitzer]

I use a small program called Mutilate File Wiper. It doesn't care whether the file is being shared or not .... it just deletes it.
I believe that spyordie007 is correct about the video file. That's what happened to me and is what put me on a quest to find a program that would delete it.
Link