Can't Delete Files

[EGA]

My colleague has three TIFF files on his PC that he created but which he can
not now delete. The message that appears when he tries says ".....in use by
another programme".

There are no programmes or applications open so I don't understand why the
files cannot be deleted. I have even tried deleting them in Safe Mode as
Adminoistrator but the same message appears.

Can anyone explain and offer a solution?
--
EricG

[Brian A.]

Open either MyComputer or Explorer and delete all files in:

C:\Documents and Settings\His name folder\Local Settings\Temp
C:\Windows\Prefetch

Close out and reboot.

--

Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Shell/User }
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375



"EGA" > wrote in message ...
> My colleague has three TIFF files on his PC that he created but which he can
> not now delete. The message that appears when he tries says ".....in use by
> another programme".
>
> There are no programmes or applications open so I don't understand why the
> files cannot be deleted. I have even tried deleting them in Safe Mode as
> Adminoistrator but the same message appears.
>
> Can anyone explain and offer a solution?
> --
> EricG

[Jim Byrd]

Hi EGA - From my Blog, Defending Your Machine, addy below in my Signature:


Sometimes the tools below will find files which they are unable to delete
because they are in use.

- A program called Locked Files Wizard (LFW), formerly CopyLock, here,
http://noeld.com/programs.asp?cat=misc "is a simple assistant that allows
you to either replace, move, delete or rename one or more files or folders
which are in use by the system or any running process. Additionally, you can
display and possibly stop the processes or services that lock a file, and
manage files flagged to be processed by the system on next reboot (e.g.
after an installation or an uninstallation.) The Locked Files Wizard can
also help to select some worms and trojans from the Registry and to quickly
remove them from the system." Copylock2 (now Locked Files Wizard) does
request a $12 registration fee in order to activate some additional _new
functions_ in the new version and/or for installation on multiple computers
or commercial usage. However, that version is available for download at the
link on that page without registration and with full utility of the original
capabilities of Copylock after installation without registration. If you
prefer, you can alternatively download the older v. 1.09 version which
involves no registration at all (but, of course doesn't include the
possibility of upgrade to the paid version) here:
http://copylock.noel-danjou.qarchive.org/_download2.html

- Another is Killbox by Option Explicit, Beta version available here:
http://www.killbox.net/downloads/beta/KillBox.exe
Overview directions are available here:
http://www.killbox.net/help.html#Top
Read carefully - this tool is quite powerful. A Beta version is also
available.

- A third which is a bit different but often very useful is Delete Invalid
File, here:
http://www.purgeie.com/delinv.htm
which handles invalid/UNC file/folder name deleting, rather than the in use
problem. The situation with Delete Invalid Files is similar to that with
Copylock. The latest version adds additional capabilities which are aimed at
the commercial marketplace (but would be useful to an individual user also.)
However, all of the _original file removal functions_ are still freely
available in the download version without registration or payment.

From http://www.purgeie.com/delinv/index.htm:

"As the "Free" version of DelinvFile had become so popular and has been
referenced on many download sites, web forums and newsgroups as being
"Free", the current version does not require a fee to access the original
program functions. The commercial version of DelinvFile makes available
additional functions which require licensing (registration) for them to
work. The additional functions include "Open With..", Renaming Files,
Renaming Folders, and Deleting Files and Folders at Boot."

- A fourth useful program is Unlocker, here:
http://ccollomb.free.fr/unlocker/
" Simply right click the folder or file and select Unlocker. If the folder
or file is locked, a window listing of lockers will appear. Simply select
the lockers and click Unlock and you are done!" Works as advertised and is
particularly helpful in identifying malware components which are
'protecting' each other.

- A fifth is FileASSASSIN, here:
http://www.malwarebytes.org/fileassassin.php
"FileASSASSIN can delete locked malware files on your system. It uses
advanced techniques to unload modules, close remote handles, and terminate
processes to allow the removal of the file."



--
Regards, Jim Byrd,
My Blog, Defending Your Machine,
http://defendingyourmachine2.blogspot.com/



In ,
EGA > typed:
|| My colleague has three TIFF files on his PC that he created but
|| which he can not now delete. The message that appears when he tries
|| says ".....in use by another programme".
||
|| There are no programmes or applications open so I don't understand
|| why the files cannot be deleted. I have even tried deleting them in
|| Safe Mode as Adminoistrator but the same message appears.
||
|| Can anyone explain and offer a solution?
|| --
|| EricG

[Tonnie]

On Thu, 10 May 2007 00:08:01 -0700, EGA
> wrote:

>My colleague has three TIFF files on his PC that he created but which he can
>not now delete. The message that appears when he tries says ".....in use by
>another programme".
>
>There are no programmes or applications open so I don't understand why the
>files cannot be deleted. I have even tried deleting them in Safe Mode as
>Adminoistrator but the same message appears.
>
>Can anyone explain and offer a solution?

explain? no.
a solution? yes. download unlocker:
http://ccollomb.free.fr/unlocker/

good luck!
--
You have the right to remain silent, so please SHUT UP!

[EGA]

Hi

Thanks. I shall try that.
--
EricG


"Brian A." wrote:

> Open either MyComputer or Explorer and delete all files in:
>
> C:\Documents and Settings\His name folder\Local Settings\Temp
> C:\Windows\Prefetch
>
> Close out and reboot.
>
> --
>
> Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Shell/User }
> Conflicts start where information lacks.
> http://basconotw.mvps.org/
>
> Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
> How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375
>
>
>
> "EGA" > wrote in message ...
> > My colleague has three TIFF files on his PC that he created but which he can
> > not now delete. The message that appears when he tries says ".....in use by
> > another programme".
> >
> > There are no programmes or applications open so I don't understand why the
> > files cannot be deleted. I have even tried deleting them in Safe Mode as
> > Adminoistrator but the same message appears.
> >
> > Can anyone explain and offer a solution?
> > --
> > EricG

[EGA]

Hi everyone

I have now ascertained that the reason the files are locked is because he
worked on them and printed them whilst they were open from a CD on his PC.
Without the CD they cannot be deleted (or closed).

I will download and try "Unlocker" and see if this will deal with the
problem. I shall also make a note of the other links that might prove useful
in the future.

Many thanks for all your input.
--
EricG


"Tonnie" wrote:

> On Thu, 10 May 2007 00:08:01 -0700, EGA
> > wrote:
>
> >My colleague has three TIFF files on his PC that he created but which he can
> >not now delete. The message that appears when he tries says ".....in use by
> >another programme".
> >
> >There are no programmes or applications open so I don't understand why the
> >files cannot be deleted. I have even tried deleting them in Safe Mode as
> >Adminoistrator but the same message appears.
> >
> >Can anyone explain and offer a solution?
>
> explain? no.
> a solution? yes. download unlocker:
> http://ccollomb.free.fr/unlocker/
>
> good luck!
> --
> You have the right to remain silent, so please SHUT UP!
>
>