P
Pete Mitch
As no one in MS will take my call here is a known
solution for the can't delete DOS file from XP, its a
work around as MS have no solution for it at present
(well I can't find one) and the problem is with
explorer.exe.
HOW TO DELETE A DOS EXE THAT WILL NOT DELETE OFF THE XP
MACHINE EVEN AFTER REBOOT (usually on desktop).
Systems:
Windows XP all versions (including Sp2)
Recreation example:
Try executing a MacAfee Anti-Virus dat update EXE
(www.nai.com) on a desktop and then try getting rid of
it. This problem is not exclusive to these EXEs's and
seems to effect many DOS based EXEs.
Problem:
Message appears when you try to delete the file: "Cannot
delete, <file>: It is being used by another person or
program. Close any programs that might be using the file
and try again." Even after you have rebooted the error
message reappears when you try to delete the file. There
seems to be no process for the file in task manager.
Solution:
First use www.sysinternals.com process explorer and
search for the handle of the file (i.e. what process is
running it). If it is explorer.exe (which is likely if it
is still running after reboot) try the following.
Open a command prompt by typing cmd in the command line.
Press ALT-CTRL-DEL to bring up the task manager >
processes - Select explorer.exe and then the 'End
Process' button.
Bring up the already open Command Prompt. Then just type
in the syntax to delete the problem files (i.e. navigate
to the file and then type Del <filename>). Then press ALT-
CTRL-DEL to bring up the task manager again and click on
the 'New Task' button. Type explorer.exe and click OK.
You're done.
solution for the can't delete DOS file from XP, its a
work around as MS have no solution for it at present
(well I can't find one) and the problem is with
explorer.exe.
HOW TO DELETE A DOS EXE THAT WILL NOT DELETE OFF THE XP
MACHINE EVEN AFTER REBOOT (usually on desktop).
Systems:
Windows XP all versions (including Sp2)
Recreation example:
Try executing a MacAfee Anti-Virus dat update EXE
(www.nai.com) on a desktop and then try getting rid of
it. This problem is not exclusive to these EXEs's and
seems to effect many DOS based EXEs.
Problem:
Message appears when you try to delete the file: "Cannot
delete, <file>: It is being used by another person or
program. Close any programs that might be using the file
and try again." Even after you have rebooted the error
message reappears when you try to delete the file. There
seems to be no process for the file in task manager.
Solution:
First use www.sysinternals.com process explorer and
search for the handle of the file (i.e. what process is
running it). If it is explorer.exe (which is likely if it
is still running after reboot) try the following.
Open a command prompt by typing cmd in the command line.
Press ALT-CTRL-DEL to bring up the task manager >
processes - Select explorer.exe and then the 'End
Process' button.
Bring up the already open Command Prompt. Then just type
in the syntax to delete the problem files (i.e. navigate
to the file and then type Del <filename>). Then press ALT-
CTRL-DEL to bring up the task manager again and click on
the 'New Task' button. Type explorer.exe and click OK.
You're done.