Stubborn File

[Bruce]

I have a .avi file which I cannot delete with Vista. On trying either
Delete or Shift Delete, I get the Vista delete box which says "Deleting
file.... calculating time" etc, but nothing else happens, this box just
sits there forever. I can however cancel out. I also cannot move, rename
this file.
I also tried a command line instr del/f/a C:\path to filename. This
does not work.
I also got hold of a "KillBox" program. This deleted the file, but in
doing so creates a backupfile in a special folder. (I cannot find an
option to do otherwise). This does not fix my problem as I now cannot
delete this backup file!!!!
Any suggestions?
Thanks Bruce

 

[Tiberius]

I am reposting the information you need below:

One of my favorite freeware apps is Unlocker. It's a simple solution to
a very annoying problem: Getting rid of files Windows won't let you
delete for one reason or the other.

If you do not have Unlocker, get it here:

http://ccollomb.free.fr/unlocker/


READ THIS: How to make Unlocker work on Windows Vista?

- How to make Unlocker work on Windows Vista? You need to deactivate UAC
globally for the whole system or locally just for Unlocker. Globally, go
to "Control Panel" then "User Accounts" then again "User Accounts" then
"Turn User Account Control" and set it to Off, then restart your
computer. Locally go to the Unlocker install directory (usually
C:/Program Files/Unlocker), right-click Unlocker.exe, select Properties,
and on the "Compatibility" tab, under "Priviledge Level" enable "Run
this program as administrator". Click "allow" everytime you will get the
UAC prompt to ask if you want to run Unlocker. Thanks to Mike Cerminara
for his help.

 

[Bruce]

Thanks, tried this but caused a fatal system crash.

 

[Tiberius]

How about this one?
http://www.snapfiles.com/get/moveonboot.html

I have used this many times on XP.. it marks the file for deletion after you
reboot.

I have not tried it on Vista though

Tell me if it works

 

[Malke]

I have a .avi file which I cannot delete with Vista. On trying either
Delete or Shift Delete, I get the Vista delete box which says "Deleting
file.... calculating time" etc, but nothing else happens, this box just
sits there forever. I can however cancel out. I also cannot move, rename
this file.
I also tried a command line instr del/f/a C:\path to filename. This
does not work.
I also got hold of a "KillBox" program. This deleted the file, but in
doing so creates a backupfile in a special folder. (I cannot find an
option to do otherwise). This does not fix my problem as I now cannot
delete this backup file!!!!
Any suggestions?
Thanks Bruce

Have you tried deleting it in Safe Mode? Since XP, Windows has had
difficulties with deleting .avi files because of some integration with
Explorer.

Malke

 

[Jume]

being an avi file, it might be a codec trying to make the thumbnail and
having lock in the process for not being compatible

if you have a codec pack, try uninstalling it

people talks good about the latest divx codec, and i am using ffdshow tryout
without problems at all

 

[Tiberius]

the only way to go if you dont care about media center is
www.gomplayer.com

the best player I have ever found with built in codecs.. fantastic and free

 

[Guest]

Take ownership of the file, right click the file or folder it is in and
select properties then the security tab, click the advance button thenowners
tab. Click edit in the next window select your name then click apply. back at
the previous window it should now say you are the owner click ok as many
times as it takes to get out. Once out left click the folder before or after
the one you want to delete. Right click the folder to delete and select
delete, it will now disappear. This procedure was done in Vista home pre.