Unable to DELETE a file....

[fLYtRap]

I have a AVI file that am trying to delete. I get the message that it can't be deleted, because another program is using it. I have restarted the computer and still can't do it. Is there a way to determine which program is using this file? It must be something that starts up with windows, but I really have no programs that starts up along with windows. It is a fresh install and I don't even have internet on this machine.

[guns1inger]

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

[fLYtRap]

Thanx for that info, I'll try it.
Is there any way to change this somwhere in windows? This never happened to me before, that I have so many files locked.

[mats.hogberg]

Use a DOS window to delete it (with Explorer closed). It's the preview in Explorer that's "using" it.

/Mats

[ropdoh]

Have a look at this thread:
https://forum.videohelp.com/viewtopic.php?t=261911

It might have some solutions.

I have successfully used Move On Boot to solve these problems as well.
There is a freeware version available:
http://www.gibinsoft.net/gipoutils/fileutil/index.htm

[Bjs]

Its a bug with messenger , not explorer .

Search the web for xpantispy ... it has the ability to remove or disable messenger ... for those not running sp2 ... do it .

The removal fix's this issue .

Tech info : 3 years ago , users using messenger were open to boot code's dumped into messenger ... a nasty trick to steal passwords and more ... this trick damages the apic controller on the motherboard by repeatedly rebooting the pc and logging key's and other info ... if this happens , your addon vga card will be the first thing to die from over heating ... the fix is too replace the motherboard ... and get the latest messenger and install it to prevent this problem from happening .

Removal of stubborn video clips :

Hit CTRL + ALT + DEL

Start , run , accessories , command prompt .

Back in task manager , close explore.exe .

Click in dos box :

Type

Cd..

Hit enter ... repeat till you are at c:\

Now where is file ? ... say my pictures ... then it is

Cd documents and settings
Enter
Cd "Type the user account name here"
Enter
Cd my documents
Enter
Cd my pictures
Enter

If file name is saturday_recording.avi ... then

Del saturday_recording.avi
Answer Y

Close dos command prompt .

Back in task manager , choose file , new task
Browse to windows dirrectory and choose explore.exe

And thats done .

[mats.hogberg]

Tech info : 3 years ago , users using messenger were open to boot code's dumped into messenger ... a nasty trick to steal passwords and more ... this trick damages the apic controller on the motherboard by repeatedly rebooting the pc and logging key's and other info ... if this happens , your addon vga card will be the first thing to die from over heating ... the fix is too replace the motherboard ... and get the latest messenger and install it to prevent this problem from happening .

A password stealer destroying the APIC and graphics card? C'mon! OK, the solutions you offer are often long winded, but this takes the prize! What on earth has this got to do with not being able to delete an AVI?

/Mats

[bobkart]

Killbox can be useful for deleting stubborn files: http://killbox.net/

[fLYtRap]

Its a bug with messenger , not explorer .

This can't be right, I don't even use messenger, it doesn't even start with windows.

BTW

This works just fine:

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

[FulciLives]

I've had issues before with deleting files. Usually if I reboot and try again it will delete it. If that doesn't work I make a FOLDER where the file is and drag it into the FOLDER then delete the FOLDER and that seems to work (go figure).

Actually I try the folder trick first before trying to reboot LOL

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[holistic]

Open regedit and go to:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\SystemFileAssociations\.avi\shel lex\PropertyHandler

Delete the value you find there.


messenger WTF ?!!

[DereX888]

Its a bug with messenger , not explorer .

This can't be right, I don't even use messenger, it doesn't even start with windows.

BTW

This works just fine:

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

I believe he meant messenger service (not the windows messenger on XP, or MSN Messenger, or Windows Live Messenger). Msoft always confuse itself and users with same-or-similar names unfortunately.

However... spyware destroying APIC? or a video card?
bwahahahahahahaha


If it is explorer's preview thats locking your file, the solution is simple.
View > Customize ThisFolder > Choose or edit HTML template for this folder
select "Simple view". This disables automatic preview of the file in the left pane of explorer's window for *that* folder only
(as a matter of fact I do this for *all* folders containg audio and video files)

[anaboland]

try this link found it a long time back, worked for me.

https://forum.videohelp.com/viewtopic.php?t=100406

[Scorpion King]

edit

[DereX888]

edit

I read that before editing :P

[FulciLives]

Nice Avatar DereX888

[Scorpion King]

edit

I read that before editing :P

E.D.I.T. = Entrant Deleted Incorrect Theory

Or something like that. lol

[rijir2001]

I posted a similiar question some time ago.

https://forum.videohelp.com/viewtopic.php?t=240560&highlight=

[EAO]

If you haven't solved your problem try booting into Safe Mode and then delete it.

[FulciLives]

No one has commented on my simple yet always-works-for-me solution.

Seems like everyone is making this SO much harder than it need be

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[INFRATOM]

The file could be a temp file for some program, or quarantined by anti-virus. If you can rename it you can delete it , if not boot into safemode and then you can delete it. In this case could be a media player which ever you have loads this or some editing program.

[stiltman]

No one has commented on my simple yet always-works-for-me solution.

Seems like everyone is making this SO much harder than it need be

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

I would but I'm still trying to fix my video card after messanger broke it

[Constant Gardener]

If I can't delete an avi with Explorer, I use Take Command - which is an excellent command-line interpreter: http://www.jpsoft.com, trialware.

[fLYtRap]

No one has commented on my simple yet always-works-for-me solution.

Seems like everyone is making this SO much harder than it need be

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

I would but I'm still trying to fix my video card after messanger broke it

Was it a bike messenger that run into your video card with a box of pizza

[DereX888]

No one has commented on my simple yet always-works-for-me solution.

Seems like everyone is making this SO much harder than it need be

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

Your solution is good (almost same thing as i.e. mine, also based on freeing explorer's autopreview - if thats the reason for file lock up).
But doing it your way is feasible only if the folder with the locked file is not populated by other folders/files.
If the locked file is say in a My Pictures folder's root (and everyone have other files/folders there usually), you can't just drag entire My Pictures folder to another folder and delete it all, you'll have to empty it first or move all other files/folders somewhere else first.
Simple switching of folder's display template to "simple" (built-in in every windows since W2K at least) does the same thing and works every time and every where without any additional steps like moving/emptying the folder from other files we'd want to keep - it turns off explorer's autopreview and frees the file (if that was the reason for file lock).

Nice Avatar DereX888

Thank you I ran out of ideas for new avatar (well, actually I didn't, but I just had enough of all those complaints about my avatars not being suitable for children, christians, muslims, dog- sheep- teddybear- lovers, democrats, liberals, republicans, and god knows whom else I dont remember hehe). At least "NO BJs" doesn't hurt anyone, and all religious freaks of any god should agree with it, right?
Its a picture of a sticker on a washroom door in some UK pub taken few years ago, but I doubt they still have it there since lately UK (and EU in general) has become more politically correct than any die-hard demolibs* were in America in the times of Cigar-Dipping President


*(c)2000 DereX888 (hehe, y not)