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pacummingFlag for United States of America

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Is there a brute force delete utility (free perhaps_ to delete files in use in Win XP, ME, etc??

Looking for above utility. I at times have some files I would like to delete and cannot while in Windows or even in DOS command mode. Have even tried with a Barts PE (like WIN PE) bootable CD. Changing the attributes of the file did not help either.

Do not have an example handy but I have also tried renaming the file, overwriting the file, moving the file, changing attributes of the parent chain, closing down processes, etc..


Will try Process Explorer from Sysinternals next but assume there is some way to ZAP the file via some program that a developer wrote.

Thanks, Peter
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Pete Long
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ok.. i know this sounds very simple, but try it. When i've had a file that has been locked by windows. Go to task manager. Highlight the "explorer" process and kill the shell. This should cut the handles to the file. While task manager is on and everything else disapeared go to "New Task" and open a Command prompt. Type "CMD". Now simlply navigate to the location of the file. Type Del "filename" . this should work since the windows shell is basically off.

Give a go . best of lucck.

jaguar
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ASKER

Thank you all very muc. I have tried what most of you have advised in the past  except for the utils suggested by SheharyaarSaahil which I will try soon.

Thanks, Peter
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tmireles

Well I guess it goes without saying that if you put the drive into another machine you can delete the files that way.

However I have also had pretty good success by booting into the recovery console (using the XP disk) and deleting the files from there.

Good Luck
Using Recovery Console shouldbe the same as using Barts PE I would think.
Peter
have you tried KillBOx and DellFXP links above?
No will try links in a few days. Have downloaded files and need to try it on neighbors PC where some problems exist. I also meant to stay PeteLongs answer was very good as well and I will prob split points after I try a few things.
Thanks, Peter
ThanQ
Thank you.  Thank you.  Thank you.  That program, DelFX, is a godsend.  I had over a gig of unwanted files on my computer that simply would not go away.  Thank you.  Thank you.  Thank you for telling we feeble minds about that.  God, I've been trying to get rid of those things for months.  Did I mention my thanks? :)
Yer welcome! :)

-=- James R. Twine (of JRTwine Software, LLC, makers of Delete FXP Files!)
I TEMPORARILY DISPOSE OF MY SILENCE. YOU MIGHT WANT TO TRY EDITING WINDOWS SERVICES. A LOT OF APPS LOVE TO HIDE BEHIND WINDOWS SERVICES. IF YOU TERMINATE THE PROCESS THAT IS RUNNING UNDER SERVICES YOU WILL BE FREE TO DISPATCH THE ANNOYING FILE WITH NO RESISTANCE.
—FYI to those of you who are looking for a way of deleting a file:

**Other Options**
Use this on the file/folder in question
http://www.jrtwine.com/Products/DelFXPFiles/

DelFX is seemingly unavailable for download/purchase.

sina
london

Thanks,
Peter
> DelFX is seemingly unavailable for download/purchase.

What?  Where/When did you see that?

-=- James.