can't delete file?

Question

I canceled this one download, but the icon is still stuck in my computer. I tried to delete it, but it says, " can not delete file: It is being used by another person or program.

I use Internet explorer. I think that the file is still being held in it, so i cant delete it. How do i fix this?

thanks

Answer 1

Start your computer in Safe Mode by pressing Ctrl during the startup and you can delete any files you want to delete eventhough it is being used by another program!!!!!

Answer 2

windows does automatic file locking to protect files from being changed from other files while in use - thus causing a system crash when an application which has opened the file and has system handles performs an operation on such files (ie... move, append, copy, delete etc) which is why you will have trouble deleting files which seem like they should be deletable but aren't actually running.

There are a few utils out there which will allow you to delete files (risking a blue-screen I might add) if you are sure that the file is not needed by forcing the file closed by the system, renaming the file (thus changing the handle) and then deleting the file. often a reboot is all that is necessary to unload the modules which had the file locked, upon reboot, simply delete the file before that program loads and resumes whatever it happens to do.

Answer 3

Usually when that happens to me i delete all the history, downloads and cookies of the internet explorer first. Then i try to delete it. I t usually works for me.

In desperate conditions boot the computer in safe mode and delete it. I press F8 to run safe mode

Answer 4

try running the following two menus of ccleaner
cleaner > Analyze > Run Cleaner
issues > Scan For Issues > Fix Selected Issues

Read Howto of CCleaner on the link below
http://bestofrest.blogspot.com/2006/11/ccleaner.html

Answer 5

You could try renaming it, or trying to delete it after you re-boot, or see whay programs are running that you don't recognize, shut it down, then delete the file.