Unable to delete some files.

[Guest]

I have a quartet of files which I've been trying to delete for some time, now. I downloaded a gaming utility which I was planning to use to help me out gaming, but then I found out it didn't work for the right game. By then I'd already copied it onto my desktop (I'd intended to shortcut it). Right now I have four copies of the file on my hard-drive - one on my desktop, one in "My documents," and two in a special folder which I'd intended to use just for that file. When I attempt to delete any of them, I get the "May be in use by another program" error, despite the fact that none of them are running, and nothing would be running them. I suspect it's the fact that they're all the same program which makes them so difficult to delete. I can't move any of them, or even re-name them, and when I attempt to change any settings in their properties, it makes a shortcut (thank the gods I can delete the shortcuts...). I've tried archiving them and E-mailing them, but even then I couldn't delete them. If I try to delete them en masse, it's impossible because I can't move them and, them not being in the same area or folder, I can't select them all at once.

I'm using Windows XP, Home edition, and I'm pretty sure that I'm using the most recent update.

 

[Will]

Greetings.

Have you tried booting to Safe Mode with Command Prompt?

To achieve this method, reboot machine. When you hear the POST beep, press
F8. You will then be presented with a list of options. Choose the Safe
Mode with Command Prompt option. Once there, navigate to the folder where
the programs reside and delete away.

Will

I have a quartet of files which I've been trying to delete for some time,

now. I downloaded a gaming utility which I was planning to use to help me
out gaming, but then I found out it didn't work for the right game. By then
I'd already copied it onto my desktop (I'd intended to shortcut it). Right
now I have four copies of the file on my hard-drive - one on my desktop, one
in "My documents," and two in a special folder which I'd intended to use
just for that file. When I attempt to delete any of them, I get the "May be
in use by another program" error, despite the fact that none of them are
running, and nothing would be running them. I suspect it's the fact that
they're all the same program which makes them so difficult to delete. I
can't move any of them, or even re-name them, and when I attempt to change
any settings in their properties, it makes a shortcut (thank the gods I can
delete the shortcuts...). I've tried archiving them and E-mailing them, but
even then I couldn't delete them. If I try to delete them en masse, it's
impossible because I can't move them and, them not being in the same area or
folder, I can't select them all at once.

I'm using Windows XP, Home edition, and I'm pretty sure that I'm using the

most recent update.

 

[Kelly]

Hi James,

Can't Delete a File or Folder in XP
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_d.htm#del

You Cannot Delete a File or a Folder:
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=kb;en-us;Q320081

WhoLockMe Explorer Extension v1.04 beta (NT-Win2K-XP)
http://www.dr-hoiby.com/WhoLockMe/

Troubleshooting, Removing and/or Cleaning Add or Remove Programs
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_a.htm#addremove