How to find what program is using a file.

Swi1ch · 2 Jan 2009 at 03:44

I have an empty folder I want to delete, but when I try and delete it I get an error message saying this file is in use by a program. I can't find what program could possibly be using it and therefore can't delete the folder. Is there anyway I can find out what is using it?

me227 · 2 Jan 2009 at 03:51

http://ccollomb.free.fr/unlocker/

If you try this program it should allow you to delete the file. I don't think it tells you what program is using it but it'll get rid of it.

Greenlizard0 · 2 Jan 2009 at 08:36

Won't work in Vista 64

chaosophy · 2 Jan 2009 at 09:38

Try procmon.

edit: actually i think it might be procexp that'd be better.

Swi1ch · 2 Jan 2009 at 10:01

Well I tried ProcessExp but couldn't find anything. Used unlocked and apparently this empty folder is being used by Explorer.Exe :S

chaosophy · 2 Jan 2009 at 10:06

with procexp do..

Find
Find Handle or DLL...

then put in the full path to the folder and search. the 2nd column gives you the Process ID (PID) of what ever is accessing it. Then on the main screen of procexp you can find the process with that PID and kill it off.

edit:
or click the process and then at the bottom you can find the file handle, right click and close it.

ns400r · 2 Jan 2009 at 10:32

Swi1ch said:
Well I tried ProcessExp but couldn't find anything. Used unlocked and apparently this empty folder is being used by Explorer.Exe :S

And are you trying to delete the folder with Explorer?

K.C. Leblanc · 2 Jan 2009 at 11:06

Have you tryed deleting it in Safemode?