How do you delete a file?

[smellae]

how do u delete a file that is being used by another
program. how do u figure out wut is using this file so u
can delete it?

 

[Paul L Fisher]

Rename it, reboot, delete.

 

[purplehaz]

http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_d.htm#del



Delete - AVI, MPG... files (access denied error)

Close all open apps. Open a command prompt and navigate to the directory
with the offending files. Then open the Task Manager and click on the
Processes tab. select "Explorer.Exe" under Image Name. Click "End Process".



Now you will only have the command prompt and the task manager. In the
Command Prompt, DEL the offending files (DEL *.mpg, DEL mus*.avi, DEL
test.wmv, etc.)



The files should now delete without a problem. Now go back to the task
manager and click on the Applications tab. Click the "New Task..." button.
in the dialog, type Explorer.Exe and click OK.

 

[Please reply to news group.]

You can't rename the file if it is in use, and that is the reason it
can't be deleted. How do you know what program is using the file so
that you can end the program and delete the file?

 

[3d]

before i reinstalled my xp i couldn't do things to files after i launced win
explorer. i woulr ctl+alt+delete to get the task manager, go to the
processes tab, sort by image name, end explorer.exe(not iexploer.exe is
internet explorer) this closes your desktop quicklaunch etc. then go to the
apps tab and click new task and typ explorer.exe to relaunch it. then i
could browse to the file via win explorer and delete it or rename it etc.
not sure why win wouldn't release the file but since my reinstall its been
fine. hth

 

[Parish]

You can't rename the file if it is in use, and that is the reason it
can't be deleted. How do you know what program is using the file so
that you can end the program and delete the file?

Process Explorer from Sysinternals is your friend. Start it and Search
Filehandle for the filename.

http://www.sysinternals.com/ntw2k/freeware/procexp.shtml