Cannot delete/rename a file not in use

[Carl Childress]

I'm trying to delete a file. This is the error message:

Cannot delete filename: It is being used by another person or
program. Close any programs that might be using the file and try again.

I closd every program, including those we used to call TSR. Only Explorer
was running. No luck. I even searched the registry. The filename didn't
appear.

I cannot rename or delete that file. When I copied it to another folder, I
simply doubled my displeasure. Now I can't delete either file.

Surely there's something I can do to delete it.

 

[GSV Three Minds in a Can]

I'm trying to delete a file. This is the error message:

Cannot delete filename: It is being used by another person or
program. Close any programs that might be using the file and try again.

I closd every program, including those we used to call TSR. Only Explorer
was running. No luck. I even searched the registry. The filename didn't
appear.

I cannot rename or delete that file. When I copied it to another folder, I
simply doubled my displeasure. Now I can't delete either file.

Surely there's something I can do to delete it.

If it's an AVI file (or similar) then this is a well known problem. The
easiest way to delete it is to close explorer (which is what has it
locked) from task manager, having =previously= opened a CMD window. Then
use the CMD window to delete it/them, and them start a new instance of
Explorer.

Alternatively I think Kelly's website (http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com)
has a general fix for this 'Explorer opens some types of files and hangs
on to them' problem.

 

[Alex Nichol]

If it's an AVI file (or similar) then this is a well known problem. The
easiest way to delete it is to close explorer (which is what has it
locked) from task manager, having =previously= opened a CMD window. Then
use the CMD window to delete it/them, and them start a new instance of
Explorer.

It seems to be particularly if the DivX codec (that came out after XP)
has been used. Explorer goes looking into the files when you open a
folder, to look for the extra info about Properties - like resolution,
frame rate, etc. And gets in a loop, so the program that is using the
file is the very Explorer you are trying to delete with. Using a CMD
prompt DEL before ever opening the folder in explorer *might* turn out
to be enough.

It may be best for people with a lot of these files to do without the
extra property info - run regedit.exe, open to

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\SystemFileAssociations\.avi\shellex\PropertyHandler

highlight that and delete it