A program on my PC called 'snoop' denies access to remove because 'in use'.?

Question

Norton Spyware fails to detect 'snoop'.
It is not listed as a program on the PC.
It appears to be running permanently.
It is not a 'read only' file
I think it came unasked with a 'Karens Directory Printout' program downloaded some time ago.
.How can I delete it?

Answer 1

I don't think it's a virus. There are quite a few utilities with similar names and I suggest you Google it and study before deleting the file. It could be a pluggin. Still, some crapware like to copy the name of other files.
Now if you insist on deleting the thing, download and install unlocker (freeware) from this site (if you don't already have it).
http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/System-Miscellaneous/Unlocker.shtml

Right-click on the file and select "unlocker" (dialogue box opens)
Scroll "delete" and click the button "Unlock" or "OK" depending on the file you want to delete.

Answer 2

Things from Karen's Power Tools are usually written in Visual Basic and do not run at startup. In other words you normally have to start the program manually.

I'm not sure what this Snoop process is but it is probably nothing to do with 'Karens Directory Printout'.

Do a search on snoop.exe or whatever the process is called and see where it is located, then delete that directory in safe mode.

Answer 3

Click on the Hard drive icon and find program files.
Open and delete the folder.
Open the windows foloder and look for downloaded program files..open and see if anything is left there.

If all else fails get spybot search and destroy...miles better than Norton at deleting spyware/malware.

Answer 4

REMOVE PROGRAMS

XP HOME:

start--all programs--add\remove programs--click change\remove
start--my computer--local disk drive (c)--windows--programs
delete program
start--my computer--local disk drive (c)--windows--temp folder
click file--choose select all
press keyboard delete key
start--my computer--local disk drive (c)--windows--prefetch folder
same as above
start--your username--documents--downloads or desktop folder
delete program

start--control panel--internet options--history [ delete ] + temp files [ delete ] + cookies [ delete ]

now...here it gets tricky!

start--all programs--accessories--system tools--system restore
settings--drive (c)--setting--check the OFF box

now go back and choose create restore point.

VERY TRICKY AND DANGEROUS! NOT FOR BEGINNER OR RUBE!!

XP HOME & VISTA:

edit the registry:

press windos key [ 4 part flag ] + letter R
enter
regedit

there are 4 key sections to check:

hkey_classes_root
check the list for program--delete

hkey_current_user
check for program--delete
click software--get program--delete
click microsoft--get program--delete

hkey_local_machine
check for program--delete
click software--get program--delete
click microsoft--get program--delete

hkey_users
click default
click software
click microsoft--get program--delete


VISTA PREMIUM:

start--default programs--programs & features
click program--click uninstall
start--my computer--O.S.(c)--windows--programs
delete program
start--my computer--O.S. (c)--windows--temp folder
click file--choose select all
press keyboard delete key
start--my computer--O.S. (c)--windows--prefetch folder
same as above
start--your username--documents--downloads or desktop folder
delete program

start--control panel--internet options--history [ delete ] + temp files [ delete ] + cookies [ delete ]

START--CONTROL PANEL--PERFORMANCE,INFORMATION & TOOLS
OPEN DISK CLEAN
SELECT o.s. (c)
select more options
select system restore and shadow copies
select clean up

new restore point:
start--control panel--back up and restore
create restore point
create restore point on selected disk
click create
apply\ok

XP HOME & VISTA PREMIUM

right click start
select properties
select taskbar
select customize
select always hide or show

Answer 5

If you got it with Karen's software it's probably PTSNOOP.EXE, which is a "legitimate" application. You need to open the task manager (ctrl+alt+del) and find the process and stop it. Then you can remove it

Answer 6

Try deleting the folder it's in rather than opening the folder.

Answer 7

if you know you can delete, you can try rebooting to safe mode. F8 when you reboot.