Weird problem with file deletion

  • Thread starter Thread starter Patrick Schoenbach
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Patrick Schoenbach

Hi,

since a few days, I have a weird problem when deleting files. Some files
on the desktop cannot be deleted after I have opened them, because
"explorer.exe" has still a handle on that file. I now use a freeware
tool called "Unlocker", however, this cures only the symptoms, not the
problem.

Here are some more facts:

- Several different scanners found no malware, so, this seems
not to be the problem. Also, the HijackThis log contains no
suspicious entries.

- Rebooting does not help

- Safe mode does not help

- The NTFS file system has no errors.

- If I kill the "explorer.exe" process, the icon for the undeletable
file disappears from the desktop, when I restart explorer, it
reappears.

- The problem does not happen with all files, but mainly with
installers, e.g. "SkypeSetup.exe".

- The problem only seem to occur on the desktop.

- If I cancel the unlocking process with the above mentioned
"Unlocker" tool and then unlock again, then "explorer.exe" has
more than one open handle to the undeletable file.

- The problem also occurs if I create a new user and then try
the same test with the new user.


What could be the reason? What could I try to fix it (except
reinstalling the whole system)?

Regards,
Patrick
 
Hi,

since a few days, I have a weird problem when deleting files. Some files
on the desktop cannot be deleted after I have opened them, because
"explorer.exe" has still a handle on that file. I now use a freeware
tool called "Unlocker", however, this cures only the symptoms, not the
problem.

Here are some more facts:

- Several different scanners found no malware, so, this seems
not to be the problem. Also, the HijackThis log contains no
suspicious entries.

- Rebooting does not help

- Safe mode does not help

- The NTFS file system has no errors.

- If I kill the "explorer.exe" process, the icon for the undeletable
file disappears from the desktop, when I restart explorer, it
reappears.

- The problem does not happen with all files, but mainly with
installers, e.g. "SkypeSetup.exe".

- The problem only seem to occur on the desktop.

- If I cancel the unlocking process with the above mentioned
"Unlocker" tool and then unlock again, then "explorer.exe" has
more than one open handle to the undeletable file.

- The problem also occurs if I create a new user and then try
the same test with the new user.


What could be the reason? What could I try to fix it (except
reinstalling the whole system)?

Regards,
Patrick
Click to expand...

Can you not delete files with unlocker " delete on reboot " ?
 
Can you not delete files with unlocker " delete on reboot " ?
Click to expand...

Yes, also directly deleting with unnlocker works, however, this does not
cure the reason, just the symptoms. What could be the reason?

Regards,
Patrick
 
Yes, also directly deleting with unnlocker works, however, this does not
cure the reason, just the symptoms. What could be the reason?
Click to expand...

Is there nobody who has a clue?
 
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