why can't i delete a downloaded file?

Question

i downloaded a complete season of a tv show, it is in a file in my downloads file.
i ripped it onto a cd using nero and for the last week or so whenever i try to delete it, it just says "being used by another program" is there a simple way of making a file unobtainable by programmes so it can be deleted?

Answer 1

This is a known problem. The problem is that as soon as you open the folder the file is in, explorer starts loading the file to show a preview, so the program that is using the file is windows itself. The preview may not show, but windows will take a long time finding this out, and the file is locked all this time. There is a programme "unlocker" that will clear this. It installs and hides itself, appearing as a context menu item when you right click on a file. Then you unlock it and delete if you wish.

Answer 2

What you can do is restart the computer what is happening is the program that you used to rip the videos is still active as a process even tho you closed the program. If you know what program it is you can going into the task manager and stop the process for that program and then it would be able to delete. If you dont know how to do that just restart the computer and that should allow you to delete it. Hope this helps.

Answer 3

Maybe a file or folder is using that programme you downloaded from the net.All u have to do is disable the programme using it and delete it at add and remove at control panel

Answer 4

When computer is starting pressing F8 brings a menu.

Choose command prompt only from this menu

go to the path of the file and delete it using dos.

*(Use at your own risk, because you must know dos to do so)

Answer 5

a quick way is to start computer in safe mode then delete it - keep pressing f8 key during startup - on the menu that appears select safe mode windows will start, navigate to the said folder that the file is in and delete.shutdown as normal or restart and hey presto......

Answer 6

Use Unlocker to delete files - will bypass any errors when trying to rename or delete a file/folder
http://ccollomb.free.fr/unlocker/

Answer 7

You need to uninstall limewire rather than deleting it. Click on Start -> Programs -> Lime Wire -> Uninstall After uninstalling your computer will return to it's normal speed.

Answer 8

If you downloaded it with Limewire then delete it in Limewire.
You can try delete it in safe mode.
Tap F8 when starting your pc.

Answer 9

use a program like unlocker its much easier than using safe mode etc


here it is below and it is free