Can t delete file in xp

You try to delete the file, Windows waits a few seconds before announcing that access is denied, the file is currently in use and cannot be deleted. It starts with the basics for Windows and moves on to more involved tricks. The process will work for all recent Windows releases, but Windows XP has been causing the most the problems, so we will focus on it.

Please note: we are assuming that the file is not crucial to the operation of Windows — deleting important system files can cause havoc. Software Patch. Is the file in use? It sounds obvious but it happens. If it is being used or open, close the file and the application that opened it. For example, if it is a Word document, close Microsoft Word.

If the file was opened in an application and subsequently closed , but the program is still running, try quitting the program. Windows will lock a file because the application hasn't yet released it.

This is not always Windows fault and can be the fault of the program. DivX files don't get on very well with Windows XP and sometimes renaming the file can trick Windows into releasing it. Reboot your PC and don't start any programs. Which of the following retains the information it's storing when the system power is turned off? Submit ». Thai Pepper. Have you tried killing the explorer. Verify your account to enable IT peers to see that you are a professional.

Or the linux boot for that matter - usually gets stubborn files. Stu Mar 5, at UTC. Anders76 Mar 5, at UTC. Edited Mar 5, at UTC. Hardinj Mar 5, at UTC. This topic has been locked by an administrator and is no longer open for commenting. Read these next Thanks for the reply, Rob!

In fact, I never even installed the thing When I unzipped it, I put it as I do with all of my 'test' programs into a folder called "my temp", under the sub-folder of "MyReminders".

So it's not an OS file or program, and not even running. The message I get is "Error deleting file or folder. Can not delete 'MyReminders': It is being used by another person or program. Close any programs that might be using the file and try again". I've always been able to wipe out my tested programs under Win This is just frustrating!

Worse is not being able to move something into a folder I've created Money, Word, etc. Dragging Frontpage to that folder moved it When I tried deleting the old folder in safe mode it looked to have been deleted, but was back again when I ran in normal mode.

On thing that I believe is dirfferent is that nothing else can access a directory that you are trying to delete or modify. As an example, you open a command window and change to directory "XYZ". The error message you get is "The process cannot access the file because it is being used by another process.