I have a file on my computer in my shared folder that I can't delete. I get an error stating that it is in use or write protected, when in fact it is neither. I cannot delete it in safe mode or dos or before boot. Is there any other way to delete this troublesome file?
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taking ownership may do the trick, but there are other reasons you could be having this issue.
check out this KB article and you may find your answer.
http://support.microsoft.c
although I would try this first.
easiest way is to go into dos and type the following.
go to the folder the file is in. At the prompt type
attrib -r -s <filename>
this will remove readonly and system file attributes from the file. then try to delete it by typing
del <filename>
Try taking ownership of the file and checking its permissions like SheharyaarSaahil and banks1850 already suggested. If this doesn't work you might want to try using the following trick:
http://www.theeldergeek.co
You might want to check this link as well:
http://www.sysinternals.co
Tool is named Process Explorer and it can show you which handles (file, reg. key, directory etc.) and DLLs are in use and who is using them. Use "Find Handle" to do a search on opened handles. Just enter the directory or file name that is locked in the search bar. You will get the list of the processes that are keeping the file or directory locked.
I have had this problem with some user profiles even when no user was logged on. It helped to take ownership, remove all access rights and reboot the system - then I could always delete the file.
There is also some tool out there that can tell you, which process has a handle on this file.
http://www.sysinternals.co
The problem you are talking about is caused by Windows 'Locking' the file for use by some other process. If it is a shared file someone may have been accessing it when (you'd never believe it) an error occurred which windows did not detect. It consequently leaves the file locked and will not leave go.
To solve: (I don't know which version of windows you're using but this should work on most - I am using XP)
1. Open a command dialog (dos window) and change directory to where you have the file in question.
2. Using Ctrl-Alt-Del Open the task manager and end task on explorer.exe (that is the windows user interface)
From this point windows will 'leave go' of any file locking it has as the main windows process 'explorer.exe' is no longer running.
3. using the DEL command in your command window, delete the annoying file.
4. Go back to task manager and select New Task from the file menu - type explorer.exe and run and this should start your desktop back up again.
Note: This works best in Windows XP because it was designed to be able to function without it's user interface. I think you can still get away with this in older versions of windows but I really don't fancy downgrading to find out. My advise is to upgrade to XP if you haven't already - it may be the product of a man hell bent on controlling everything we see and hear but that doesn't neccessarily mean it's a bad OS.
Hope this helps
I have tried the above answers, and none work. I am not running kazza or any other p2p software. I cannot take ownership of files because that option is none existant on my computer, although I am the administator. The name of the file is AUX.rar, though I doubt that makes a difference. When trying to delete in dos it says filename, directory name, or volume label syntax is incorrect. Hope this narrows things down a bit.
Try booting from the CD and choose recovery console option. Once you are in the recovery console go to the directory and delete the file.
If you have Windows 95/98 use the recover boot diskette to start the system. Once you get to the DOS prompt go to the directory where the file is placed and delete it.
If nothing of above helps, you might try the following alternative: download some linux CD distribution like Knoppix or Mandrake Move:
http://www.knoppix.net/
http://www.mandrakelinux.c
These CDs contain fully functional linux distribution that doesn't require any installation. You just have to boot from CD.
Once you boot from these CDs mount the partition where locked file is. Once you mount the filesystem you can delete the file. If you are not familiar with linux, don't worry. Let me know and I'll send you detailed instructions how to do this under linux.
It's a very interesting situation. You cannot delete the file because it's name point to a os reserved name, the AUX. You can try the deleting from a command prompt like this:
start command prompt
type
del \\.\drive:\path\aux.rar
example del \\.\c:\directory\aux.rar
This is the procedure for any of the files named:
CON, AUX, COM1, COM2, COM3, COM4, LPT1, LPT2, LPT3, PRN, NUL
That's why I was asking for filename.
Ok lets try this
start->run->msconfig
In the system configuration utility window click on the tab that says startup and then click on the button that says disable all. Once that is done click on OK it will ask you to restart the computer and you should be able to delete the file on restart. If you are missing any services on startup simply try trial and error method to reactivate the services.
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by: SheharyaarSaahilPosted on 2004-05-26 at 08:58:15ID: 11162823
Hello battleboybassist =)
HOW TO: Take Ownership of a File or Folder in Windows XP:
http://support.microsoft.c
HOW TO: Take Ownership of Files:
http://support.microsoft.c
!! GOOD LUCK !!