How do I tell what process owns a file?

  • Thread starter Thread starter laredotornado
  • Start date Start date
L

laredotornado

Hi,

I'm running WinXP and trying to delete a file from my system. But
when I right click and select "Delete" I get the error message:

Cannot delete .metadata\:Access is denied
Make sure the disk is not full or write-protected and that the file is
not currently in use.

I have verified that the file is not write-protected and the disk is
not full. But I can't figure out what process is using the file in
question. Any ideas how to figure this out?

Thanks, - Dave
 
Try using Unlocker: http://ccollomb.free.fr/unlocker/

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows Desktop Experience -
Windows Vista Enthusiast

---------------------------------------------------------------

Hi,

I'm running WinXP and trying to delete a file from my system. But
when I right click and select "Delete" I get the error message:

Cannot delete .metadata\:Access is denied
Make sure the disk is not full or write-protected and that the file is
not currently in use.

I have verified that the file is not write-protected and the disk is
not full. But I can't figure out what process is using the file in
question. Any ideas how to figure this out?

Thanks, - Dave
 
Know which process has locked a file:http://windowsxp.mvps.org/processlock..htm

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP  [Windows Shell/User]
The Winhelponline Blog:http://www.winhelponline.com/blog
Windows® Troubleshooting:  http://www.winhelponline.com




Hi,
Click to expand...
I'm running WinXP and trying to delete a file from my system.  But
when I right click and select "Delete" I get the error message:
Click to expand...
Cannot delete .metadata\:Access is denied
Make sure the disk is not full or write-protected and that the file is
not currently in use.
Click to expand...
I have verified that the file is not write-protected and the disk is
not full.  But I can't figure out what process is using the file in
question.  Any ideas how to figure this out?
Click to expand...
Thanks, - Dave- Hide quoted text -
Click to expand...

- Show quoted text -
Click to expand...

Thanks for this info. Unfortunately no process came up when using the
Process Explorer tool. Any other ideas how I might remove this most
annoying file? - Dave
 
Before you delete the file do a google search and read the purpose of the
file. Perhaps you may change your mind about deleting it.
Know which process has locked a
file:http://windowsxp.mvps.org/processlock.htm

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
The Winhelponline Blog:http://www.winhelponline.com/blog
Windows® Troubleshooting: http://www.winhelponline.com




Hi,
Click to expand...
I'm running WinXP and trying to delete a file from my system. But
when I right click and select "Delete" I get the error message:
Click to expand...
Cannot delete .metadata\:Access is denied
Make sure the disk is not full or write-protected and that the file is
not currently in use.
Click to expand...
I have verified that the file is not write-protected and the disk is
not full. But I can't figure out what process is using the file in
question. Any ideas how to figure this out?
Click to expand...
Thanks, - Dave- Hide quoted text -
Click to expand...

- Show quoted text -
Click to expand...

Thanks for this info. Unfortunately no process came up when using the
Process Explorer tool. Any other ideas how I might remove this most
annoying file? - Dave
 
Looking at the file name, it appears that the file has special characters or
has a UNIX-style naming.

Where is the file located?

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
The Winhelponline Blog: http://www.winhelponline.com/blog
Windows® Troubleshooting: http://www.winhelponline.com


Know which process has locked a
file:http://windowsxp.mvps.org/processlock.htm

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
The Winhelponline Blog:http://www.winhelponline.com/blog
Windows® Troubleshooting: http://www.winhelponline.com




Hi,
Click to expand...
I'm running WinXP and trying to delete a file from my system. But
when I right click and select "Delete" I get the error message:
Click to expand...
Cannot delete .metadata\:Access is denied
Make sure the disk is not full or write-protected and that the file is
not currently in use.
Click to expand...
I have verified that the file is not write-protected and the disk is
not full. But I can't figure out what process is using the file in
question. Any ideas how to figure this out?
Click to expand...
Thanks, - Dave- Hide quoted text -
Click to expand...

- Show quoted text -
Click to expand...

Thanks for this info. Unfortunately no process came up when using the
Process Explorer tool. Any other ideas how I might remove this most
annoying file? - Dave
 
laredotornado said:
Hi,

I'm running WinXP and trying to delete a file from my system. But
when I right click and select "Delete" I get the error message:

Cannot delete .metadata\:Access is denied
Make sure the disk is not full or write-protected and that the file is
not currently in use.

I have verified that the file is not write-protected and the disk is
not full. But I can't figure out what process is using the file in
question. Any ideas how to figure this out?
Click to expand...

It's an illegal file name. At a Command Prompt try using the \\.\ name
check bypass:

DEL \\.\drive letter:\path\file name

John
 
Why do you say illegal? I have it on my system.
John John (MVP) said:
It's an illegal file name. At a Command Prompt try using the \\.\ name
check bypass:

DEL \\.\drive letter:\path\file name

John
Click to expand...
 
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