Weird problem with file deletion

[Patrick Schoenbach]

Hi,

since a few days, I have a weird problem when deleting files. Some files
on the desktop cannot be deleted after I have opened them, because
"explorer.exe" has still a handle on that file. I now use a freeware
tool called "Unlocker", however, this cures only the symptoms, not the
problem.

Here are some more facts:

- Several different scanners found no malware, so, this seems
not to be the problem. Also, the HijackThis log contains no
suspicious entries.

- Rebooting does not help

- Safe mode does not help

- The NTFS file system has no errors.

- If I kill the "explorer.exe" process, the icon for the undeletable
file disappears from the desktop, when I restart explorer, it
reappears.

- The problem does not happen with all files, but mainly with
installers, e.g. "SkypeSetup.exe".

- The problem only seem to occur on the desktop.

- If I cancel the unlocking process with the above mentioned
"Unlocker" tool and then unlock again, then "explorer.exe" has
more than one open handle to the undeletable file.

- The problem also occurs if I create a new user and then try
the same test with the new user.


What could be the reason? What could I try to fix it (except
reinstalling the whole system)?

Regards,
Patrick

 

[bojimbo26]

Hi,

since a few days, I have a weird problem when deleting files. Some files
on the desktop cannot be deleted after I have opened them, because
"explorer.exe" has still a handle on that file. I now use a freeware
tool called "Unlocker", however, this cures only the symptoms, not the
problem.

Here are some more facts:

- Several different scanners found no malware, so, this seems
not to be the problem. Also, the HijackThis log contains no
suspicious entries.

- Rebooting does not help

- Safe mode does not help

- The NTFS file system has no errors.

- If I kill the "explorer.exe" process, the icon for the undeletable
file disappears from the desktop, when I restart explorer, it
reappears.

- The problem does not happen with all files, but mainly with
installers, e.g. "SkypeSetup.exe".

- The problem only seem to occur on the desktop.

- If I cancel the unlocking process with the above mentioned
"Unlocker" tool and then unlock again, then "explorer.exe" has
more than one open handle to the undeletable file.

- The problem also occurs if I create a new user and then try
the same test with the new user.


What could be the reason? What could I try to fix it (except
reinstalling the whole system)?

Regards,
Patrick

Can you not delete files with unlocker " delete on reboot " ?

 

[Patrick Schoenbach]

Can you not delete files with unlocker " delete on reboot " ?

Yes, also directly deleting with unnlocker works, however, this does not
cure the reason, just the symptoms. What could be the reason?

Regards,
Patrick

 

[Patrick Schoenbach]

Yes, also directly deleting with unnlocker works, however, this does not
cure the reason, just the symptoms. What could be the reason?

Is there nobody who has a clue?