File is in use by another program...
Far far too often whilst running XP Corp, I am unable to either run, rename, delete or move certain files because "They are in use by another program..".
They are not in use by another program at all, and it is beginning to annoy.
What is it that is causing this?
I did have the idea that it was windows explorer itself using the file that was highlighted at the time but this surely cannot be the case,... surely?
The above could constitute a discussion only, however what I am looking for is a workaround for this "bug".
Any ideas people?
They are not in use by another program at all, and it is beginning to annoy.
What is it that is causing this?
I did have the idea that it was windows explorer itself using the file that was highlighted at the time but this surely cannot be the case,... surely?
The above could constitute a discussion only, however what I am looking for is a workaround for this "bug".
Any ideas people?
See if FileMon helps - it's a grat utility:
http://www.sysinternals.com/ntw2k/source/filemon.shtml
http://www.sysinternals.com/ntw2k/source/filemon.shtml
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
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Hi vasp,
How do u know that those files are not used by any program.
What is(are) the extension(s) of the file(s) u r talking about?
If u r sure that the files shouldn't be in use try virus checking the files.
An online scan wont be an bad idea. U can get a lot of scans for free on net.
Hope ur problem get solved
How do u know that those files are not used by any program.
What is(are) the extension(s) of the file(s) u r talking about?
If u r sure that the files shouldn't be in use try virus checking the files.
An online scan wont be an bad idea. U can get a lot of scans for free on net.
Hope ur problem get solved
ASKER
cookre, CrazyOne... Nice apps, although I was hoping for someone to say - Yeah, I get that!, and then explain why it happens...
I'll give a bit longer and then see about splitting the points. (Which is a good point - how do yoiu split the points from a question?)
I'll give a bit longer and then see about splitting the points. (Which is a good point - how do yoiu split the points from a question?)
>>>Yeah, I get that!, and then explain why it happens...
Well perhaps if you could give a few samples of the file names you are trying to do this with it may help us to get more definitive solution. :>)
>>>how do yoiu split the points from a question
Post a zero point questiion at the following link and explain what you want to do. Make sure you supply them with the link to this question so they know which question you are making the reguest for.
https://www.experts-exchange.com/commspt/
Well perhaps if you could give a few samples of the file names you are trying to do this with it may help us to get more definitive solution. :>)
>>>how do yoiu split the points from a question
Post a zero point questiion at the following link and explain what you want to do. Make sure you supply them with the link to this question so they know which question you are making the reguest for.
https://www.experts-exchange.com/commspt/
ASKER
I have no idea why the names of any offending files has got anything to do with my problem. If you mean the file extensions, then similarly I have no idea why this should matter at all. The files I'm talking about don't belong to any program, are not read only and are not system files.
If I'm again missing the point then it must be a small enough one to put into general text? :)
If I'm again missing the point then it must be a small enough one to put into general text? :)
I wonder, under XP, does an attempt to delete a file you don't have rights for result in a "file in use" message, a "check for disk full" message, or something else?
The extensions matter because it is helpful to know which file types are involved. Is it all files are just 'particular types'?
ASKER
Usually an *.avi file. Happens to other file types like archive files and CD images, although when you try for the second of third time with the latter types it mostly does it.
Is the level of fragmentation of the hard drive relevant?
When a file is selected in windows explorer, XP gets ready to preview the file. I wonder if, say, I download a movie trailer and the connnection breaks (I get an incomplete non runable avi file) then when I select it to delete it, XP trys to preview the file, and that is what is using the file, Explorer.exe itself?
Maybe I'm reaching.. :)
Is the level of fragmentation of the hard drive relevant?
When a file is selected in windows explorer, XP gets ready to preview the file. I wonder if, say, I download a movie trailer and the connnection breaks (I get an incomplete non runable avi file) then when I select it to delete it, XP trys to preview the file, and that is what is using the file, Explorer.exe itself?
Maybe I'm reaching.. :)
>>>XP gets ready to preview the file
Do you mean it tries to launch Windows Media Paleyr? Or preview it like if it where jpg, bmp, gif etc type file? Do you have your system setup to launch files and programs with one click? If so try right clicking on the the file and if a menu pops up choose the "Delete" option. What happens if you open a DOS window and use the DEL commond on the file?
Do you mean it tries to launch Windows Media Paleyr? Or preview it like if it where jpg, bmp, gif etc type file? Do you have your system setup to launch files and programs with one click? If so try right clicking on the the file and if a menu pops up choose the "Delete" option. What happens if you open a DOS window and use the DEL commond on the file?
ASKER
CrazyOne:
Do you mean it tries to launch Windows Media Paleyr?
No.
Or preview it like if it where jpg, bmp, gif etc
type file?
Yes.
Do you have your system setup to launch files and programs with one click?
No.
What happens if you open a DOS window and use the DEL commond on the file?
The DEL command in DOS works.
The preview thing was just an idea; the fact I have similar problems with other file types means it may not be that. I was talking about right clicking on an *.avi file and clicking on properties, then there is a preview option. I was asking whether or not explorer began the loading for that when you selected the file in explorer.
The strangest thing is when I rename a file and get an error saying it is being used by another program, then go back to it later it has in fact been renamed.
Or highlighting the file and hitting del on the keyboard gets the error but right click and Delete works or drag to the recycle bin works and the others don't or vis versa.
I am going to put it down to having the computer on for weeks on end, and the lag normally experienced by XP and its new 'queueing events' feel being exacerbated.
This question is more a tad fruitless, apart from those apps...
The question points to be split between cookre & CrazyOne.
Thanks for putting up with my articulateness & grammar..
Do you mean it tries to launch Windows Media Paleyr?
No.
Or preview it like if it where jpg, bmp, gif etc
type file?
Yes.
Do you have your system setup to launch files and programs with one click?
No.
What happens if you open a DOS window and use the DEL commond on the file?
The DEL command in DOS works.
The preview thing was just an idea; the fact I have similar problems with other file types means it may not be that. I was talking about right clicking on an *.avi file and clicking on properties, then there is a preview option. I was asking whether or not explorer began the loading for that when you selected the file in explorer.
The strangest thing is when I rename a file and get an error saying it is being used by another program, then go back to it later it has in fact been renamed.
Or highlighting the file and hitting del on the keyboard gets the error but right click and Delete works or drag to the recycle bin works and the others don't or vis versa.
I am going to put it down to having the computer on for weeks on end, and the lag normally experienced by XP and its new 'queueing events' feel being exacerbated.
This question is more a tad fruitless, apart from those apps...
The question points to be split between cookre & CrazyOne.
Thanks for putting up with my articulateness & grammar..
Per request, points reduced for split, and answer accepted.
cookre: points for you at https://www.experts-exchange.com/jsp/qShow.jsp?ta=winxp&qid=20286649
Netminder
CS Moderator
cookre: points for you at https://www.experts-exchange.com/jsp/qShow.jsp?ta=winxp&qid=20286649
Netminder
CS Moderator
Hi Vasp,
Sorry as last time misunderstood the problem.
If u want direct answer without analysing it directly go to last paragraph.otherwise read below
Lets first analyse the problem.
Key facts:
1) You cant perform any action on the files like renaming, delete 'while u r in windows'
2) It happen because it is already in use.
3) It start showing preview.
4) All files are those which can show preview.
5) You are able to perorm all actions thru DOS prompt.
Expect:
The files on which u r restricted to perform any action must have two qualities. i.e 1) They should be media files on any other files capable of showing preview.
2) They should have large size. Now large depends on ur configuration. It should be over 1 MB
Probable reasons:
1) Obviously u can't change the name or delete a file when
it is in use.
2) But you r not using it!! But windows is sure doing it
When u have the option of preview or thumbnails active.
Now when one of the above option is active and u
highlight a file, Windows does more than just
highlighting. It starts to read the file. thats why u
r able to do that thru DOS bcs... u directly perform
the action without actually highlighting or
activating the file.
Solution:
So the solution looks simple, just change the view from thumbnails or whatsoever it is to a simple one say large icons.
It should solve ur problem unless i have misunderstood it again.
Sorry as last time misunderstood the problem.
If u want direct answer without analysing it directly go to last paragraph.otherwise read below
Lets first analyse the problem.
Key facts:
1) You cant perform any action on the files like renaming, delete 'while u r in windows'
2) It happen because it is already in use.
3) It start showing preview.
4) All files are those which can show preview.
5) You are able to perorm all actions thru DOS prompt.
Expect:
The files on which u r restricted to perform any action must have two qualities. i.e 1) They should be media files on any other files capable of showing preview.
2) They should have large size. Now large depends on ur configuration. It should be over 1 MB
Probable reasons:
1) Obviously u can't change the name or delete a file when
it is in use.
2) But you r not using it!! But windows is sure doing it
When u have the option of preview or thumbnails active.
Now when one of the above option is active and u
highlight a file, Windows does more than just
highlighting. It starts to read the file. thats why u
r able to do that thru DOS bcs... u directly perform
the action without actually highlighting or
activating the file.
Solution:
So the solution looks simple, just change the view from thumbnails or whatsoever it is to a simple one say large icons.
It should solve ur problem unless i have misunderstood it again.
oops I was just a bit late. Anyway if it solves ur problem I will be plz tell me
ASKER
I have found the key to this problem if anyone can even be bothered anymore?!
When you highlight a file in windows explorer windows then reads the properties of the file so that it can display them in the status bar at the bottom of the window. Some files (particularly if they are not contiguous) can take more than the standard 1/10 of a second (or whatever it is) to determine those details.
So if you have a similar problem, simply wait until those details are displayed in the status bar and then you WILL be able to rename move or delete the file as you please!!!
Or you could just wait 2 days while your 60GB HDD defrags!
Regards,
vAsP
When you highlight a file in windows explorer windows then reads the properties of the file so that it can display them in the status bar at the bottom of the window. Some files (particularly if they are not contiguous) can take more than the standard 1/10 of a second (or whatever it is) to determine those details.
So if you have a similar problem, simply wait until those details are displayed in the status bar and then you WILL be able to rename move or delete the file as you please!!!
Or you could just wait 2 days while your 60GB HDD defrags!
Regards,
vAsP
There is a fast solution:
1. Run REGEDIT.
2. Go to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID
3. Find key starting wit {87D62???-*}
4. There should be subkey \InProcServer32
5. Rename it (u can delete - but not recomended)
e.g. \old.InProcServer32.old
4. Close all apps and restart windows.
5. Enjoy!
Qlphon
P.S.
U can try also other path to THE SAME KEY:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWAR
1. Run REGEDIT.
2. Go to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID
3. Find key starting wit {87D62???-*}
4. There should be subkey \InProcServer32
5. Rename it (u can delete - but not recomended)
e.g. \old.InProcServer32.old
4. Close all apps and restart windows.
5. Enjoy!
Qlphon
P.S.
U can try also other path to THE SAME KEY:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWAR
ASKER
Hi there Qlphon,
I'll try that later this week - working away atm so won't have the chance.
What does this reg tweak do? Prevent file previewing?
Thanks in advance,
vasp
I'll try that later this week - working away atm so won't have the chance.
What does this reg tweak do? Prevent file previewing?
Thanks in advance,
vasp
Hi there!
Had the same problem. Here's another solution. If you use the file explorer in Nero Burning ROM (others probably work also), you can move/delete files immediately even though the Windows Explorer wouldn't let you do it for a second or two.
jaydem
Had the same problem. Here's another solution. If you use the file explorer in Nero Burning ROM (others probably work also), you can move/delete files immediately even though the Windows Explorer wouldn't let you do it for a second or two.
jaydem
can you delete them if you re-boot?
are they specific file types?
are they only in a specific directory?