i have a file in my downloads folder that will not go into recycle bin?

Question

i have tried trning computer off and trying again next time it is on, but still wont remove. what do i do please?

Answer 1

The file in question is being accessed by another program and for that reason alone Windows cannot allow you to delete it. I don't know which file exactly it is you are referring to so here is my advice:

Before deleting it, be sure its not part of a legitimate program.
The file is in use, so another application that runs at startup is calling on it. Run msconfig from the start/run box to see all the programs called at startup. Check the list and see if you can find anything which relates to that file. If you think it's not required then just disable it! That way, if it turns out the file is needed, you can go back and enable it again.

You can also try right clicking the "my computer" icon and selecting 'manage' - navigate to shared folders, then open files -: close the file from there then go back and try deleting it from its folder.

If that gives no useful results, try this: restart the Pc and press F8 during bootup. Select "Safe Mode" and let it boot up. From there you should have no problem navigating to the folder and removing the file. It shouldn't be open whilst in safe mode.

Hope this helps :)

Answer 2

Usually when you can not delete a file, it is because the file is "in use". Meaning it is being loaded whenever you start your computer. It is either part of a program, or being used by as data by a program.

Try booting the computer in Safe Mode. Turn on the PC and being to repeatedly press the F8 key until you get a screen with the Safe Mode option.

When in Safe Mode, only the minimum files needed to start Windows are loaded. No drivers or other programs are loaded (so your screen may look larger then normal). Hopefully the file you are trying to delete will not load, and you will be able to delete it.

Once done, simpley reboot the PC to get out of Safe Mode.

Answer 3

While the computer is booting, press F8 several times until the boot menu appears. Boot to Safe Mode. Move the file into the Recycle Bin, then shutdown and reboot.

Answer 4

The file is registered in the windows registry

Click Start
Select Run
type regedit

Under Edit chose FIND
enter the name of the file EXACTLY as it appears in the directory

Search for the Entry . when it stop PRESS DELETE
the TYPE F3 to search for any other matches

Reboot the PC

now delete that file

Answer 5

Windows may not remove a file because:-

You do not have permission to remove it
It has a very long file name (255 characters)

You may be able to remove it in DOS.

Start and then Run and type: cmd

If you know the full path name then type:

del "c:\Documents and Settings\Your Name\Temp\very long file name that I want to get rid of.dat"

or naviagate using the CD (change directory) command

cd "c\Documents and Settings\Your Name\Temp"

dir (to list the contents of the directory)

del *.dat

Type the word: exit

to close the DOS session.

Answer 6

Maybe another program is using this file at the same your trying to delete, so your computer won't allow you to delete it so try finding out which program it is or another suggestion is, try deleting it while your not logged on to the internet.

Answer 7

information proceed to occupy the comparable disk handle they have been written. via deleting, you progression the pointer to the Recycle Bin. once you empty the Recycle Bin, you do away with the pointer. The disk area is now released & could be written over via new information. The restoration application will test the disk & discover those information. yet areas of them might have been destroyed via new information.

Answer 8

first check this files with ur antivirus and ur antispyware
then disconnect ur internet connection cuz maybe its connected with somebody
keep disconnected and delete them , if nothing happened restart ur pc ( disconnected ) then delete
if it still wont remove press ctrl+alt+del
to get to task manager then choose process and right click on the suspecious process and choose end process tree
then del
if nothing happened try the savemode

Answer 9

try deleting it in safe mode,
to do this
restart your computer and press the F8 key on your keyboard while your computer is loading, use the arrow key to select safe mode and hit enter
it should delete it now
then reboot your computer to go back to normal mode

hope this helps

Answer 10

you need to exit the program that is calling that folder. so if you know what program is using that file turn it off, delete file.