Files won't delete?

Question

I have four files that will not delete, execute, rename, copy or move. I tried the safe mode, and they still will not delete. I never had this problem with any files. I have Windows XP. Please help.

Answer 1

If they are being used be another program then that would be a common issue. You could just restart computer and then delete. You metioned you tried in safe mode? I hope you scanned it with a antivirus...just to be safe. I would go into properties and find out what type of file it is and then google it and see if there are other issues reported. I hope this helps.

Answer 2

Is the file in use? It sounds obvious but it happens. If it is being used or open, close the file and the application that opened it. For example, if it is a Word document, close Microsoft Word.
If the file was opened in an application (and subsequently closed), but the program is still running, try quitting the program. Windows will lock a file because the application hasn't yet released it. This is not always Windows fault and can be the fault of the program.
If the file is an AVI, in particular a DivX AVI, try renaming it and then deleting it. DivX files don't get on very well with Windows XP and sometimes renaming the file can trick Windows into releasing it.
Reboot your PC and don't start any programs. Go directly to the file and delete it.
In Windows Explorer, switch to View-Details and then select View-Choose Details. Uncheck everything except the file name. This stops Windows XP trying to read the file - this problem affects many video, audio and graphics files.
Still no luck? OK, here is the best trick of all. Most sites give you cryptic Windows registry and DOS commands to remove a file, but the answer is so much simpler. Get a copy of MoveOnBoot. It's free and this simple tool allows you to Move, Copy or Delete files before Windows can lock or alter the files. The changes are made to your hard drive before Windows starts, hence it requires a restart of your system after you give MoveOnBoot its instructions. There are no messy boot or DOS commands, just a simple 3-step process.

Step 1: Locate the name of the file that is causing your problems.

Step 2: Decide if you want to copy, move or delete the file.

Step 3. Choose a destination for moving the file, or a new file name for the rename option (this option won't appear if you are deleting a file).

Click OK to confirm you want to process. The nice thing is that the program doesn't make you reboot straight away. It's a good idea to reboot ASAP, but if you are in the middle of something and want to wait, the program will simply run next time you start Windows.


If the file reappears again (check its creation date to ensure it is being recreated) and you can't make it budge, you may have trouble with spyware or a virus on your system (don't overlook the possibility it may also be an important system file). In this case you should get a good spyware removal program to scan your system.

Answer 3

They are probably protected in some way, or in use, and probably for a reason. I would leave them alone if I were you.

That or your file allocation tables are messed up and those files don't actually exist.

Answer 4

Try this...Rightclick the file, uncheck the read only box then OK, then apply to all subfolders, then OK...then directly delete it.

Answer 5

When posting this quesiton, you have to give some error message, or result that is occuring from trying to delete them.

Answer 6

Are these files being used by anything?

Perhaps if you use a P2P program someone is downloading them?

Answer 7

You can try using Unlocker Assistant.

Answer 8

they might be spyware do a spyware check