Delete File, Whether Windows Likes It/Not?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Larry R Harrison Jr
  • Start date Start date
L

Larry R Harrison Jr

Is there a way I can force Windows to delete a file/folder whether or not it
thinks it's ok?

I keep running into a situation where I am in a file manager program (not
Windows Explorer) and when I try and delete a folder it will INSIST that it
cannot do it because it's write-protected, or some other program is using
it--when that simply IS NOT, I repeat, IS NOT the case.

But Windows THINKS that another program is using, so it refuses to let me
delete the file.

Call me crazy, but to me, I am GOD over the computer--meaning, it is
supposed to do whatever I ask it to do, period, I don't care if that means
the computer is rendered permanently inoperable for all time. If I say "do
whatever," then it is just supposed to do it. Period. I certainly think that
is true when it comes to file deletion--it's not like I'm trying to (say)
delete SYSTEM.INI or something, so when I say "delete" it should just do it,
period.

Is there someway to make it do it? If not, it may single-handidly be reason
enough for me to--I'm serious here--quit Windows and defect to Apple
MacIntosh. I'm sick of Windows thinking it's smarter than I am to the point
it takes my authority. I'm sorry, but you don't question my authority in
something like this--when I say do something, you are supposed to DO IT, no
questions asked, period, JUST DO IT.

Is there anyway to make Windows do this with file deletion? I am sick &
tired of having to restart Windows everytime I want to delete a file folder
I just created (which I now need to remove & do again) because Windows
THINKS some other program is using it, when that simply isn't the case.

LRH
 
By the way I did try the "shutdown explorer.exe at task manager, delete
files at command prompt, restart explorer.ext at task manager" trick, but
the files STILL would not delete.

The files DO delete easily if I reboot, and I THINK I know what program is
doing this. It's a program called "THE Rename," a batch renamer I had heard
good things about. After it renamed files in a way I didn't want I simply
tried to delete the files and download the files from my camera's memory
card again and try it again--but even when I shut the program down I still
can't, unless I reboot.

Again, I am able to delete the files if I reboot, but frankly, I take issue
with the fact that Windows won't let me delete a file if it THINKS some
other program is using it. Why can't I effectively say "I don't care what
you think, just delete the file" and let the chips fall where they may? I
mean, it is my computer, it is my risk to take if I want.

Tips?

LRH
 
THANK YOU!! I'm also fed up with that crap. I notice the "experts" haven't
commented about it.

I have EMCO Move on Boot, but I don't think I should have to use a program
like that.
 
Henry said:
THANK YOU!! I'm also fed up with that crap. I notice the "experts" haven't
commented about it.

I have EMCO Move on Boot, but I don't think I should have to use a program
like that.
Click to expand...
There is an application called "Unlocker" which is supposed to allow one
to remove files, even if the operating system thinks it is using them.
 
Larry said:
Is there a way I can force Windows to delete a file/folder whether or not it
thinks it's ok?

I keep running into a situation where I am in a file manager program (not
Windows Explorer) and when I try and delete a folder it will INSIST that it
cannot do it because it's write-protected, or some other program is using
it--when that simply IS NOT, I repeat, IS NOT the case.

But Windows THINKS that another program is using, so it refuses to let me
delete the file.

Call me crazy, but to me, I am GOD over the computer--meaning, it is
supposed to do whatever I ask it to do, period, I don't care if that means
the computer is rendered permanently inoperable for all time. If I say "do
whatever," then it is just supposed to do it. Period. I certainly think that
is true when it comes to file deletion--it's not like I'm trying to (say)
delete SYSTEM.INI or something, so when I say "delete" it should just do it,
period.

Is there someway to make it do it? If not, it may single-handidly be reason
enough for me to--I'm serious here--quit Windows and defect to Apple
MacIntosh. I'm sick of Windows thinking it's smarter than I am to the point
it takes my authority. I'm sorry, but you don't question my authority in
something like this--when I say do something, you are supposed to DO IT, no
questions asked, period, JUST DO IT.

Is there anyway to make Windows do this with file deletion? I am sick &
tired of having to restart Windows everytime I want to delete a file folder
I just created (which I now need to remove & do again) because Windows
THINKS some other program is using it, when that simply isn't the case.

LRH
Click to expand...
I will stress upfront, what I'm about to suggest should only be done by
those who understand that it removes the safety net built into Windows,
and you can completely break your system if you accidently delete the
wrong files. And only those with Administrator priveleges can do this
procedure.

OK. The problem you're having has to do with Windows File Protection
(WFP). It's a two-level protection mechanism -- one level flags a large
number of files (listed in SFCFILES.DLL) as protected, and another level
will insure the protected files cannot be renamed, copied over, or deleted.

Here's how to disable one or both levels. First, click Start>Run and
type in SERVICES.MSC and press enter. Find the service labeled
"Cryptographic Services" and double-click on it. Now change the startup
type to "disabled", click apply, and OK. Now reboot your system.

You have now disabled what I consider the most annoying "feature" in
Windows -- it will no longer attempt to automatically replace protected
files with copies from the windows\system32\dllcache folder. You can now
delete just about any file from your system, though WFP will pop up
ominous-looking error messages if you atempt to delete a protected file,
and you'll need to click on the proper boxes to allow the files to be
deleted. It's a pain, but the WFP safety net is still in place, and the
pop ups make it difficult to do something stupid (though it's still
possible...).

This is where I suggest that most people stop. The next step removes the
WFP safety net, so continue at your own risk!

Here's how to disable level two and keep WFP from loading when you boot
your system. Note that Cryptographic Services MUST be disabled for this
to work, and if you disable WFP, the SFC /SCANNOW command will no longer
work.

First, click Start>Run and type in REGEDIT and press enter. Once in
regedit, click on My Computer in the left pane, press Ctrl-F, type in
SFCDisable, and click Find Next. Now right-click on SFCDisable in the
right pane, click MODIFY, enter FFFFFF9D in the Value Data box, and
click OK. Make sure to enter *exactly* what I typed above, it's six F's,
then a 9, and then a D. Now close regedit, click Start>Run and type CMD.
When in the command box, type REN C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\SFC*.DLL SFC*.MHC
and press enter. Depending on your setup, you may get some of the
above-mentioned ominous popups -- do not allow Windows to replace the
files. Now reboot your system. Again, depending on your system, Windows
may pop up an error message that one or more files cannot be found, just
select the option to allow Windows to continue booting.

That's it! At this point you have the ability to remove just about any
file from your system (registry hives and their log files excluded). In
some cases you will need to take ownership of the files, in others you
will need to remove the read-only, hidden, and/or system bits from the
files. But you WILL be able to delete the files/folders, including the
idiotic ones in the Program Files directory such as XEROX.

mhc
 
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