Can't delete MS-DOS based *.exes

[Razoxane]

MS-DOS based .exe's (for example fdisk.exe, which he was
going to put onto a floppy) have gotten locked onto my
friend's system. He cannot delete them, nor can he System
Restore, because System Restore cannot delete the files
either. He was able to delete the file from the main
computer, using another, networked computer and deleting
the .exe from the shared directory. This has happened on
both his XP Pro and Win2k computers.

 

[Wesley Vogel]

HOW TO: Verify That Windows File Protection Is Running in Windows Server
2003
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;814597

[[Windows File Protection prevents the replacement of protected system files
such as .sys, .dll, .ocx, .ttf, .fon, and .exe files. Windows File
Protection runs in the background and protects all files that are installed
by the Windows Setup program. Windows File Protection detects attempts by
other programs to replace or move a protected system file. Windows File
Protection checks the file's digital signature to determine if the new file
is the correct Microsoft version. If the file is not the correct version,
Windows File Protection either replaces the file from the backup that is
stored in the Dllcache folder or from the Windows CD.]]