A folder that won't delete in windows XP.?

Question

I'll try to make this short but descriptive...I installed a game...game updated and had to un-install old version...un-installed successfully sorta...it left a save folder with a folder in it...I try to delete and this is what i get...."Cannot delete : Cannot find the specified file. Make sure you specify the correct path and file name."...I cannot rename it, move it or anything like that....I even tried several programs and tried safe mode too...I would like to install the new version of the game but it won't let me because of the old folder. Any ideas as to how to delete it....I'm desperate, but do not want to format... :P

Wowza...Unlocker assistant took care of it in a jiffy...thanks for the help..and thanks to all of you for the great advice and tips

Answer 1

Download Unlocker from here:

http://fileforum.betanews.com/detail/Unlocker/1115825635/1

I use it all the time when I cannot delete a file or folder that is in use.

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Glad it worked. Have a nice day. :-)

Answer 2

That is often referred to as a "splat" file. It is a file that has been deleted from the hard drive, but not from the directory. There is no easy way to clear a splat file.

But the GOOD NEWS is that you can probably still install the new game with the splat file there. When you start the install, see if there is an "Advanced" option in the install, or a point where you are asked what folder you want to install the game into. (Sometimes you have to do "advanced" to get that option). Just install the game into a DIFFERENT directory. Instead of c:\programs\game_name put it in c:\program\game_name2 or something. Then the presence of the splat file will not prevent the install.

Answer 3

Your first option is to defragment your drive, if possible. Grab a tweaking tool like tuneUp, and clean your drive [This is what those softwares do: Empty your trash, delete some restoration point, deleting temp file...BUT they know where those file are, you don't] If you still need space, delete some fat file in your font directory

Answer 4

There is a utility available named as REMOVE ON REBOOT (http://www.snapfiles.com/get/removereboot.html), using this you will be able to delete that folder.
The usage is very simple, just select the file / folder to be deleted, and reboot your system.



** You might get many different answers, please don't forget to come back and rate the BEST ANSWER

Answer 5

1.Try deleting them in safe mode. when your computer is starting up, hit F8.

or

I would suggest restarting your computer and then attempting to delete the folder.

Hope it helps you...

Answer 6

just reboot and delete.
if u still have problem... load your OS in safe mode and delete the file from there.

Answer 7

u can redownload the game , nd then remoove it from remoovable programs then u can go on the shortcut of it and click shift delete , and u will delete all the related files

Answer 8

Here's a tip I learned:

Open command prompt in accessiories.

type cd /program files/
type del startoffoldername*

Hope this helps.

Answer 9

Right click and go to properties and make sure its not "write protected"

Answer 10

reboot your computer and then delete it. I dont know why, but it should work.