Cannot delete item from desktop

[djs]

This is a re-posting. Thanks to those who have already
offerred suggestions.

I had to access some very old DOS based Lotus 1-2-3
files - Release 2.4. I installed my old software and
wanted a shortcut to it on the desktop. Instead of
creating a shortcut, I actually moved the 123.exe file
from its folder to the desktop. When I try to delete
it, I get a message saying: "Cannot delete 123. It is
being used by another person or program. Close any
programs that might be using the file and try again."

Nothing or no one is using the file. The computer is
part of a network at home. But even when this computer is
the only one on, I still can't delete it.

I have tried the following - none of which work:
- booting in safe mode and trying to delete it
- using the add/remove programs option in Control Panel
(it's a DOS based program and doesn't install
itself into Windows and doesn't appear as a program in
Add/Remove programs).
- bringing up the Task Manager to see if there is a
version of it running. There isn't, so there is no task
to end.
- checking that I have Administrator's rights.


Anyone with any ideas?
DJS

 

[Haus]

Hello
Try this and see if this will zap it.
1.. Go to Start/Control Panel and double-click the Display icon.

2.. Click on the Desktop tab and hit the Customize Desktop button

3.. Under Desktop Cleanup, click on Clean Desktop now.

4.. The Desktop Cleanup Wizard pops up. It'll display a list of desktop
icons you haven't used in awhile. Follow the instructions to delete the
desired icons.

--
Hope This Helps
Haus
Not a MS-MVP
Not a MVP
Not nothing, just a good ole boy.

 

[Sharon F]

This is a re-posting. Thanks to those who have already
offerred suggestions.

I had to access some very old DOS based Lotus 1-2-3
files - Release 2.4. I installed my old software and
wanted a shortcut to it on the desktop. Instead of
creating a shortcut, I actually moved the 123.exe file
from its folder to the desktop. When I try to delete
it, I get a message saying: "Cannot delete 123. It is
being used by another person or program. Close any
programs that might be using the file and try again."

Nothing or no one is using the file. The computer is
part of a network at home. But even when this computer is
the only one on, I still can't delete it.

I have tried the following - none of which work:
- booting in safe mode and trying to delete it
- using the add/remove programs option in Control Panel
(it's a DOS based program and doesn't install
itself into Windows and doesn't appear as a program in
Add/Remove programs).
- bringing up the Task Manager to see if there is a
version of it running. There isn't, so there is no task
to end.
- checking that I have Administrator's rights.


Anyone with any ideas?
DJS

Other things to try:

--Bring up a command prompt window. Bring up Task Manager. Use Task Manager
to end Explorer. Use the command prompt window to delete the file. Use Task
Manager to restart Explorer.

--Use Process Explorer (sysinternals.com) or an "open handle" tool (oh.exe
from microsoft) to find out what has a hold on 123.exe.

 

[Guest]

Don't know if the last solution worked or not but have you tried to just drag and drop it back into the original folder where it belonged?

 

[djs]

The really strange thing, which I forgot to mention in my
original posting, is that it doesn't even appear in the
list of desktop icons when I run the Desktop Cleanup
Wizard!!

Thanks anyway.

 

[DJS]

Thank you so much for your suggestion. I had no idea
you could load and unload explorer like that. That
enabled me to delete the contents of the folder that
contained the original 123.exe which was otherwise
also undeletable. The only problem is that, as far as
I know - and maybe you can tell me differently, you
cannot get at the desktop from the command prompt.
Is there something in the XP environment that enables
me to do that? My life in computers began in the days
of DOS so I do know my way around the command prompt.

 

[Sharon F]

Thank you so much for your suggestion. I had no idea
you could load and unload explorer like that. That
enabled me to delete the contents of the folder that
contained the original 123.exe which was otherwise
also undeletable. The only problem is that, as far as
I know - and maybe you can tell me differently, you
cannot get at the desktop from the command prompt.
Is there something in the XP environment that enables
me to do that? My life in computers began in the days
of DOS so I do know my way around the command prompt.

CMD.EXE is capable of dealing with long file names. Unless you have made
changes it starts in Documents and Settings\<your account>

Instead of CD for change directory, use CHDIR and type the path to your
desktop folder: CHDIR c:\documents and settings\<your account>\desktop

From there try deleting the file.