can't delete file - help.

stokecity_m · 20 Apr 2009 at 22:42

i got a Dawn of War update file on my desktop, which stopped downloading half way though, however i can't now delete said file.

any help? please

GarethDW · 20 Apr 2009 at 23:04

You need to firstly identify what process has locked access to the file. Presumably it will be your browser, but it could be something else like a virus scanner, I suppose.

You should give the Sysinternal's Process Explorer a run... download it for free from here: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb896653.aspx

When it's running you can the click Find -> File Handle or DLL, then enter the name of the file you want to delete and click Search. It should come back showing which process has locked the file. Double-click the process and it will take you back to the Process Explorer main window, highlighting the process which you can right-click on and kill.

Alternatively, just try rebooting your PC, that should help

stokecity_m · 20 Apr 2009 at 23:06

cheers - will give it ago and get back.

stokecity_m · 20 Apr 2009 at 23:13

nope - can't delete it still

GarethDW · 20 Apr 2009 at 23:18

Start -> Run -> CMD -> del Desktop\YourFile.zip /F

Try that maybe..?

Diggsy · 20 Apr 2009 at 23:27

Try this... http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/files/killbox.php

stokecity_m · 20 Apr 2009 at 23:27

C:\Documents and Settings\HP_Owner>del desktop\dow141~1.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\HP_Owner\desktop\dow141(2).exe
The process cannot access the file because it is being used by another process.

stokecity_m · 20 Apr 2009 at 23:29

Diggsy said:
Try this... http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/files/killbox.php

just said this file can not be deleted

Diggsy · 20 Apr 2009 at 23:30

Have you tried rebooting then deleting it?

stokecity_m · 20 Apr 2009 at 23:31

yep

it's been there for a few days now.

Diggsy · 20 Apr 2009 at 23:34

You could try the trial version of Security Task Manager and see if it will let you Quarantine, then delete...

http://www.neuber.com/taskmanager/index.html

stokecity_m · 20 Apr 2009 at 23:38

will give it ago

stokecity_m · 20 Apr 2009 at 23:52

nope didn't work

stokecity_m · 21 Apr 2009 at 00:29

any more ideas?

if i click properties it comes up with loads of opinions.

General
Program
font
memory
screen
misc
compatibility
summary

Six6siX · 21 Apr 2009 at 00:35

Boot to a linux live cd and delete the file from within that?

stokecity_m · 21 Apr 2009 at 00:39

Six6siX said:
Boot to a linux live cd and delete the file from within that?

no idea about how to do any of that.

stokecity_m · 21 Apr 2009 at 00:40

get in....

i've just hidden it, so although it;s still there - it can't be seen

Six6siX · 21 Apr 2009 at 00:50

lol

as for the livecd, just google a linux live cd, something like knoppix or ubuntu.

Download, burn to cd, and boot from disk. Bit long winded but its pretty useful to have - at least you'll already have just in case something like this happens again!

leezer3 · 21 Apr 2009 at 01:39

Try running chckdisk & then deleting using PocketKillbox, sounds like you have a minor bit of filesystem corruption

Also, remember to select all the options for killing it, sometimes a basic file kill doesn't work.

Cheers

-Leezer-

marc69 · 21 Apr 2009 at 01:46

http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/Boot-Manager-Disk/MoveOnBoot.shtml

"MoveOnBoot allows you to copy, moves or delete files on the next system boot. This comes in very handy, if you need to replace or delete files which are locked by other applications, loaded into memory or cannot be changed until next system boot.

You could manually enter a line to the wininit files, but using MoveOnBoot is much simpler, since the program can be integrated into shell - it creates the "Copy/Move/Delete on boot" context menu item."

It's what I've used in the past