.exe file on Desktop won't delete

[Guest]

I accidentally moved a small .exe file onto my desktop when trying to create
a shortcut. When I try to delete it I get the message "Cannot delete XXX: It
is being used by another person or program. Close any programs that might be
using the file and try again."

I am the only user on the computer and this happens when no other
applications are running, and it happens in normal mode and in safe mode. The
program is a small game, and nothing else would use it that I can think of. I
expect there is an obvious answer. Any suggestions?

It's not really doing any harm but it annoys me

 

[P. Di Stolfo]

Hello,

try these steps: http://www.petri.co.il/delete_undeletable_files.htm

Greetings,
P. Di Stolfo

 

[Guest]

I accidentally moved a small .exe file onto my desktop when trying to create
a shortcut. When I try to delete it I get the message "Cannot delete XXX: It
is being used by another person or program. Close any programs that might be
using the file and try again."

I am the only user on the computer and this happens when no other
applications are running, and it happens in normal mode and in safe mode. The
program is a small game, and nothing else would use it that I can think of. I
expect there is an obvious answer. Any suggestions?

It's not really doing any harm but it annoys me

Hi Jim,
Try to press ALT + DEL + CTRL and Kill the running process for this
Application.
Then try the deletion, are you able to delete it?.
If still you can use this tool:
AutoRuns for Windows v8.61 By Mark Russinovich and Bryce Cogswell"
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/ProcessesAndThreads/Autoruns.mspx
Or this one:
http://www.ccleaner.com
HTH.
nass

 

[Stephen Lo]

I accidentally moved a small .exe file onto my desktop when trying to create
a shortcut. When I try to delete it I get the message "Cannot delete XXX: It
is being used by another person or program. Close any programs that might be
using the file and try again."

I am the only user on the computer and this happens when no other
applications are running, and it happens in normal mode and in safe mode. The
program is a small game, and nothing else would use it that I can think of. I
expect there is an obvious answer. Any suggestions?

It's not really doing any harm but it annoys me

These may help:
http://www.softwarepatch.com/tips/howto-delete-xp.html
http://www.softwarepatch.com/software/moveonboot.html
http://killbox.net/

Good luck!!