Windows explorer failure to delete files

[Guest]

Suddenly windows explorer won't delete files. I am using XP home edition with
SP1.
I get an error message which states 'Cannot delete file....... The directory
or file cannot be created. I am afraid I do not understand the message! Any
suggestions?

Don

 

[Wesley Vogel]

The files are in use by something.

If not .avi files post back with more info about what you are trying to
delete.

If .avi files see this.

Avi files have a bug in XP. XP thinks that it has to read through every avi
file every time that you open a folder that contains any. You also get the
locked file in use when trying to delete, rename, move, etc. avi files.

See this on the fix.

How to get rid of "Locked AVI" Bug in Windows XP
http://riccardo.raneri.it/blog/eng/...w-to-get-rid-of-locked-avi-bug-in-windows-xp/

The only down side to the above fix is that when you right click an avi file
and select Properties, the Summary page will be blank or grayed out. Which
I decided was a lesser evil than some of the other problems .avi files
cause.

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

 

[Guest]

Thanks for your response . The files I have tried to delete are mainly zip
files but I have tried deleting empty directories, word files and html files.
At the time I first noticed it I had unzipped some files and wanted to delete
the zip files. I had in fact unzipped and deleted several hundred before the
error occurred. I have done a system restore from a previous date but the
problem recurrs.
Any further advice would be welcome.
Thanks
Don

 

[Wesley Vogel]

Don,

Explorer.exe can lock files. Either reboot or kill explorer.exe and try to
delete the file(s) again.

To kill explorer and restart it.

Open the Task Manager...
Ctrl + Shift + Escape | Click on the Processes tab | Locate and highlight
explorer.exe | Right click explorer.exe | Click End Process | Click
Yes to the Task Manager Warning that pops up | Click File on the Toolbar |
Click New Task (Run...) | Type in: explorer | Click OK

End Process on explorer.exe will make your Desktop, Taskbar and all programs
disappear. This can be startling. Restarting explorer will bring
everything back.

This can fix/restore/reinitialize/refresh a lot of things.

And some times you just have to reboot and try again.

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

 

[Zilbandy]

End Process on explorer.exe will make your Desktop, Taskbar and all programs
disappear. This can be startling. Restarting explorer will bring
everything back.

How do you restart explorer.exe without rebooting?

 

[Wesley Vogel]

Open the Task Manager...
Ctrl + Shift + Escape | Click on the Processes tab | Locate and highlight
explorer.exe | Right click explorer.exe | Click End Process | Click
Yes to the Task Manager Warning that pops up | Click File on the Toolbar |
Click New Task (Run...) | Type in: explorer | Click OK

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

 

[Zilbandy]

Click File on the Toolbar |
Click New Task (Run...) | Type in: explorer | Click OK

I tried that and all it did was open an explorer window. It did not
restore my desktop icons or the task bar. I still had to reboot to get
back to 'normal'... although my wife claims I haven't been normal for
years now.

 

[Guest]

Hello Wesley,
Thanks for your response. I have tried your advice several times but without
success. I have not tried to reload windows or just the program explorer.exe,
I am a bit loath to take this action. I have noticed when closing down the PC
that after the closure process starts and clears the desktop I get a message
which says ending explorer.exe etc , it shows this twice and I have closed
explorer before attempting to close down the PC. It seems to be suggesting
that two further copies are open and backs up your earlier suggestion that
the files are being used by another program. If this is the case how can I
find where these are operating and close them down or remove them?
Any advice is very welcome
Don

 

[Wesley Vogel]

You have to KILL the explorer.exe that is in Task Manager first.

To kill explorer and restart it.

Open the Task Manager...
Ctrl + Shift + Escape | Click on the Processes tab | Locate and highlight
explorer.exe | Right click explorer.exe | Click End Process | Click
Yes to the Task Manager Warning that pops up | Click File on the Toolbar |
Click New Task (Run...) | Type in: explorer | Click OK

End Process on explorer.exe will make your Desktop, Taskbar and all programs
disappear. This can be startling. Restarting explorer will bring
everything back.

This can fix/restore/reinitialize/refresh a lot of things.

Can't help with your wife.

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In