XP Pro cant delete files, says they are in use by a program, or another user?

[Grimace]

just like the title, it says they cannot be moved/deleted/renamed, because they are in use by a program, or another user. but they arent, how can i get rid of them?

 

[Zim Hosein]

Do you have any programs like Norton System works running in the background?

 

[bozo1]

.avi files perhaps?

 

[HDRick]

I would try to go to safemode and then try.

 

[Idoxash]

ahh this has happen to me and a few other ppl i know. the simple way of doing things is to restart the computer and you should be able to do as you want with such files.

 

[Grimace]

Zim Hosein: no norton anything running

bozo1: 1 is a mpeg, 1 is a mp3

HDRick: ill try that, thanks.

Idoxash: tried that, still wont let me do it.

 

[substance12]

try shutting down explorer and deleting it through Nero (if you have that).

 

[nightowl]

I have had the same problem with avi files that I have made doing DVD rips. I was not able to delete the files even after restarting and the only way I was able to get rid of the file was by formatting the drive. This was using either Xmpeg or Flask.

 

[SaiyanGoku]

Ya, i had the same problem too.

The way i deleted the file is i rebooted and went into safemode with command prompt in Window XP.

Then when to the directory where the avi was located and deleted it from there.

Seems to work.

 

[BmXStuD]

are you on a admin account or power use account. a power user account cant delete any files on winxp or 2k. If im wrong ocrrect me someone!

 

[igiveup]

Youre wrong, but thats still ok. If the user creates the files they USUALLY can delete them. I say usually because it all depends on what kind of NTFS permissions are set up. Administrators almost always can delete files and if not then they can take ownership of them, change the security permissions and then delete away. Power users are not greatly restricted either. Of course, if Simple File Sharing is turned on then the NTFS security permissions are hidden.

Could try doing it with a command line: del /f filename.mp3

The /f switch is a force deletion for read only files, which should be the case with your locked mp3 file.

 

[blacktankofhopelessness]

Sayangoku is right, just delete the folder where the file is located... I've had the exact same problem. Though I've never been able to just delete the file, deleting the entire folder has worked every time!???! I never had to go into safe-mode though...

 

[Grimace]

thanks for the help, one i was able to delete in safe mode. and for some reason the other one i was able to delete normally now for some reason.

 

[TheOmegaCode]

On the mpeg, did you have the preview option enabled? If so then WMP is using the file. Just disable or close the preview and try it. Of course, this is all assuming that's the problem.

 

[Grimace]

ya its weird, it was showing the first frame of the video on the left side of the folder, is that the preview mode? it still let me delete it normally after the other one was gone from the safe-mode delete.

 

[scottrico]

I had this problem when xp first came out.

It has something to do with the file sharing settings in xp.

I think I disable advance file sharing in the main file properties and never had the problem again.
Can't remember anymore, I think I found the answer at www.tweakxp.com.

peace

 

[MisterMe]

Wierd Problem happens to me too occasionally...all is well after my next reboot...