Unable to delete directories through the GUI.

  • Thread starter Thread starter ThunderClaw
  • Start date Start date
T

ThunderClaw

I have a problem with being unable to delete directories
from my computer through the GUI. I finally broke down and
downloaded LiteStep recently, setting it up as the standard
shell, thinking that it was just Explorer holding stuff
open, since I didn't have anything else running.

Well, I noticed that it was still using Explorer for its
File Manager, which set off a few warning bells, but I
plowed in despite it and tried to delete an empty folder
that I'd been too lazy to nuke for a while and I get the
ever so irritating "Cannot Delete File: Access Denied. Make
sure the file is not write-protected or in use." This is
the exact same error message I got while in Explorer natively.

My processes active are very bare-bones. Litestep.exe,
spoolsv.exe, svchost.exe, svchost.exe (yes, a second
instance), lsass.exe, services.exe, winlogon.exe,
csrss.exe, smss.exe, svchost.exe (yes, a third instance),
System, and System Idle Process.

Even in an empty folder, I have a grayed-out checkmark for
'Read-only' properties. I can delete files from the
directories, but not the directories themselves. I have to
use the DOS prompt to manually remove them.

I suppose it's also worth noting that I have a directory in
my Data drive called 5d4e26c46bc514e6987fd0369300, which
I'm rather certain was a windows update I installed
manually, though there's no record of it on MS's website.
Even though I'm an admin, I can't even VIEW the contents of
its subdirectories: common, sp1 and sp2. These directories
reject all commands I try to apply to them, including
Uncompress, rename, view, copy, and cut.

I'm sick and tired of having to drop into a command line to
clean up my directory structure. I don't care anymore if I
have to use an alternative browser like LiteStep, as much
as I'd like to just fix Explorer and be done with it. Does
anyone have any ideas as to what in God's green earth is
going on here?
 
This is a problematic issue within XP. Workarounds:

Can't Delete a File or Folder in XP
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_d.htm#del

You Cannot Delete a File or a Folder:
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=kb;en-us;Q320081

Remove AVI Search - File in use Error Message (Line 74)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Error Deleting File or Folder - Cannot delete (filename): Cannot find the
specified path. Make sure you specify the correct path and file name.
Workaround:

Right click the Recycle Bin/Properties/Check: Do Not Move Files to the
Recycle Bin...

HOW TO: Take Ownership of a File or Folder in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q308421
 

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