access is denied to delete a file

[Matthew Louden]

I want to delete some files but withe error messages "access is denied. The
source file maybe in use." I tried to do that in Windows Explorer, and in
DOS commands but still failed. I used Anti Virus software to scan those
files but no virus. Any ideas how to delete it??

Please help!!

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

You can try and boot in Safe Mode (press F8 during the boot phase),
then delete the file.

 

[The One]

If all that fails, find the running process associated
with the file, end the process and then try deleting it.

 

[sqr]

Open a Command Prompt window and leave it open. Close all open programs.
Click Start, Run and enter TASKMGR.EXE Go to the Processes tab and End
Process on Explorer.exe. Leave Task Manager open. Go back to the Command
Prompt window and change to the directory the undeletable file is located
in. At the command prompt type DEL <filename> where <filename> is the
file you wish to delete. Go back to Task Manager, click File, New Task
and enter EXPLORER.EXE to restart the GUI shell. Close Task Manager.

HTH

 

[Pip]

I had the very same problem yesterday. It wouldn't let me delete saying
that access was denied yada yada yada. But what I did was move the
offending files to a new folder, then I deleted them from the new folder and
it worked. Maybe you can give that a try.

Pip

 

[Plato]

I want to delete some files but withe error messages "access is denied. The
source file maybe in use." I tried to do that in Windows Explorer, and in
DOS commands but still failed. I used Anti Virus software to scan those
files but no virus. Any ideas how to delete it??

http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_d.htm#del
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;320081
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;298345
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;319368

 

[Dr.Indera]

hello,

in the past when i couldn't delete a file, i would shut down the computer
and turn it back on.
then i went straight to windows explorer and was able to delete the files.
hope this helps.

indera