How to delete file that is "in use"?

[JasonW]

I was trying to delete a file from a shared network drive today, but got an
error that the file was in use. I went to the properties of the file but it
only showed the general tab and not the security tab. I think the file was
corrupt and wanted to prevent users from trying to use it, but couldn't get
it to delete, rename, or anything else. I couldn't take down the server to
get at the one file, it just wasn't that important. Is there a way to kill
whatever processes were using the file? Would I have to be logged in to the
server directly in order to accomplish that?

-JasonW

 

[Steven L Umbach]

Hi Jason.

I don't know the exact solution, but the KB link below give a lot of good
tips including how to identify what process has a file open by using Process
Explorer from Sysinternals. --- Steve

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=320081