Can't delete file :(

[xlr8_87]

ok, I've got one of those mischevious files which I can't delete.

I tried the usual tricks like moving it to a different location, but it doesn't move.
I've started it in safe mode and it still won't delete.

so any ideas on what I can do?

[hakhawk]

delete from command prompt maybe.

what file is it?

[kowan]

INSTALL Avast at www.avast.com (FREE) me likes FREE

[pow3rslave]

got a great (free-ish) app called process explorer, it's like a souped up verson of task manager (what comes up when you hit ctlr alt del) but it lets you search for stuff, Like if you enter a file name, it'll say what's using it, and let you kill that individual process.

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sys...sExplorer.mspx

there's a download link down the bottom, 1.5 MB.
it's free but that link is to a newer version than mine.

aside from this, it could be the files permissions are wrecked and it thinks it's in use when it's not. if so, try moving everything else out of the folder, and deleting the folder itself, or deleting it from dos or another os if you got one handy.

[VZTHUNDER]

i have a program kill killbox
it can delete these files
ill find it soon and write a tut for this thread

sorry guys i couldnt find it

[padrickz88]

i reckon you should get an antivirus or if you have one make sure its up to date.... but if it just wont let you delete and you want to delete it, then use this program
http://ccollomb.free.fr/unlocker/

[pow3rslave]

yeah a free antivirus/antispyware is useful to have on hand, i recommend AVGfree, it's free and rad.

[Not_An_Abba_Fan]

Avast is an antivirus program. If you have tried unstalling it from add/remove programs and it wont uninstall then you may have to do a system restore to a point before you tried installing it. Any files you have saved will remain but all applications that you have installed will be removed. If it has corrupted your harddrive then you may have to do a disk check. go to start, run, type in chkdsk C:\ F then it will schedule a disk check and fix next time you reboot.

[Mr Squishi]

I've had problems with that type of undeletable/unmovable file. i also couldn't look at it's properties. (none of my antivirus programs would pick it up either)

What I did was remove everything else in the folder to a backup folder elsewhere, then delete the folder the problem file was in, make a new folder with the same name, and put everything back.

[qwertsta]

Try putting it in safe mode, right click the file and go to properties if it's like a dll file or something change the last part to dl. If it's a normal exe file you should be able to boot it into safe mode right click the file, properties and then make it a read only file. Then restart your pc and then you should be able to delete it.

[pendulum]

What's the name of the file, tell me that and I might be able to help you

[xlr8_87]

i've got anti-virus/anti-spyware already.
I tried Avast, didn't work (but always handy to have another anti-virus)
Process Explorer didn't work (but is cool )
Killbox didn't kill it
Unlocker didn't work
I've tried looking at properties, but when i right click on it, it doesn't come up with properties or delete
Also trying to delete the folder hasn't worked

The file names freaking long, looks like its used the maximum limit

annoying

only reason I want to delete it is because I have a suspicion (sp?) that it might be a tracking thingo

[padrickz88]

tracking? so spyware? go to www.download.com and get adaware and spybot... update them and run it and if its spyware it SHOULD find it

[Christina]

spybot - search and destroy

[VS Omega]

Do you have a Boot disk? If you do pop it in, boot to DOS and manually delete it using the del command, should work since nothing will be accessing it in DOS..

If you don't have one you can make one for free.. pop in a floppy disc you don't need anymore (well you can reuse it later), go to My Computer and right click on the floppy drive (with the disk in there) and go to format, then on the next screen click on create MS DOS boot disk or whatever it says (I don't have a floppy disk drive on any computer in this house so it's all guessing).. you can also download boot disks if that method doesn't create the DOS boot disk I'm thinking of try out this site http://www.allbootdisks.com/

What you'll do is boot up off the disk instead of the hard drive, then browse for the file using cd command (changes current directory) so if it's in C:\warez\porn\mystery file with long filename.doh you would do

C: (if the current drive isn't the partition or disk the file is on just change the letter if it's C: and it says C: you can skip this)
cd warez
cd porn
dir/p (this will show you the shortened length filenames, a page at a time so you know what to type in next step)
del myster~1.doh (lame 8.3 filename length guess )

And that should hopefully do it..

EDIT: Crap I just realized you'll need a boot disk which can read NTFS partitions if you're using NTFS (windows XP install should likely be using NTFS as it's more efficient and recommended), still I'm thinking the windows created disk should work?

[pow3rslave]

don't suppose you've got a linux live disc on hand?
if you do, boot to linux and try to delete it from there.

[holdensupporter2005]

if you can't see the properties of the file, it may be just a fragment of a deleted file. Run scandisk or defrag and see if the file disappears after that.
check this out - http://www.computing.net/windows2000...rum/63827.html
http://www.faqfarm.com/Q/How_can_you...Explorer_error

[pendulum]

Copy the name of the file? :P That's all I'll need to tell you if you can delete it or not, and if you can how :P

[maxy0987]

Start menu > run
Type 'edit' in the run box.
Browse for file.

File will open with gobeldygook all over the shop, just start deleting lines and lines of **** from in here, you're trying to corrupt the file so do a bit of damage
Save changes and exit. (this will be the tricky part, might not let you save)
Reboot.
Try and delete the now corrupted file.

Assuming it lets you save the changes to the file you're home free, if it errors at that step then i dont know :P

[pendulum]

Um... well sure that might be an idea, but am I the only person who sees that as he hasn't specified the name of the file, it could be a non-deletable system file? :O

[holdensupporter2005]

Um... well sure that might be an idea, but am I the only person who sees that as he hasn't specified the name of the file, it could be a non-deletable system file? :O

if it was a system file it wouldn't have a filename used to the max limit!!! but I see where your coming from.

[vlv8vic]

maybe it got in there while we was looking up something embarrassing.... i wouldn't divulge the details in that case either.

[xlr8_87]

yeh i'm happy to admit it's porn gone wrong

sorry I don't reply often, my net's slow so I don't bother often

I think I'll just leave the file... lucky I have my own comp

[maxy0987]

lol porn gone wrong, was it one of those self installer doodads or phone diallers? Bastard things those, serves you right for trusting adult sites :P

[TigerVX]

What OS are you running?