[HELP PLZ] Can't Delete A File

XenoBreak · #1 01-10-2005, 03:13 PM

I went to download a file today and then i cancled it like half-way through the download cuz i dint need it. I sent the download directory to my desktop.

So then i went to try to delete to uneeded/uncomplete file and it said Error deleting file or folder "Cannot delete {file name} it is being used by another person or program. close any programs that might be uding the file and try again." I cant move it either.

So i looked on the internet to look for a solution, and most people said to type stuff in the command prompt, but i have no idea how to use command prompt at all, pluss i think my command prompt is messed up anyways, cuz when i try to type in the stuff they tell me it always sais things like invalid directory or invalid command and stuff.

When i open command prompt is sais this:

"Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600]
(C) Copyright 1985-2001 Microsoft Corp.

C:\Documents and Settings\{My name}>"

I have also tried starting in safe mode but same error happened, i have also downloaded some program called Process Explorer from Sysinternals.com. and tried to end the process that way but it still wont work.

So now im stuck with this stupid file on my desktop that i cant get rid of.

Help please!!

VirusEJ · #2 01-10-2005, 03:16 PM

What exactly was this file you were downloading?

Did you boot into Safe mode correctly? And if so when you attempted to remove the file from the desktop was the error message identical?

Dave

XenoBreak · #3 01-10-2005, 03:42 PM

it was a patch for a game, and yes i booted in safemode correctly, i did run: msconfig, boot.ini, then safemode and restarted in it, i also tried it with the F8 key first, either way i cant delete the file, no matter what i do to it it gives me that identical error

XenoBreak · #4 01-11-2005, 06:11 AM

plz help?

neil121183 · #5 01-11-2005, 08:59 AM

Quote:

"Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600]
(C) Copyright 1985-2001 Microsoft Corp.

C:\Documents and Settings\{My name}>"

When you get to this part in the command prompt type the following:-

cd desktop

Then the following will come up:-

C:\Documents and Settings\{Your name}\Desktop>

Then you need to type:-

del filename.exe

where filename is the name of the file that you want to delete. If the file is another format not .exe then just change it to whatever format it is.e.g. filename.rar, filename.zip. etc.

Hope that helps

XenoBreak · #6 01-11-2005, 10:12 PM

I did that but it said:

"The process cannot access the file because it is being used by another process."

in the command prompt.

So anything else to try? this is really bugging me

Play_The_0dds · #7 01-11-2005, 10:25 PM

clean up the temp files for all your net browsers, and run a disk clean up and dump everything that has crap in it. then go to
C:\WINDOWS\Prefetch
and delete everything in the folder, reboot and see if you can get rid of it. hope that helped.

Play_The_0dds · #8 01-11-2005, 10:26 PM

also did you use any download managers, or third party browsers to download the file?

XenoBreak · #9 01-12-2005, 06:10 AM

yes i did use a download manager, and it was called internet download manager

XenoBreak · #10 01-13-2005, 05:13 PM

i still can get rid of it

RonA · #11 01-15-2005, 04:23 PM

I just had a problem downloading a graphics file using FireFox. When I noticed that it was saving to the desktop I cancelled the download. I was then distracted.
I soon noticed that I had an icon on the desktop that refused to be deleted. No mater what I tried. Msconfig, regedit, cmd line, all the tricks.
So here's what I did.
I redid the download. This created a copy of the previous file but with a -1 appended to the name. Oh, great.
So I copied the file to a folder and renamed it to the same file name as the one on the desktop.
I then cut and pasted the file back to the desktop and okayed the popup that wanted to confirm the replacement.
This replaced the file, which I then deleted.
I hope this works for you.
Ron

nikul01 · #12 02-04-2005, 06:27 PM

Do you have Norton ANti-Virus 2004 or higher?

If you do, they have a function ion there that lets you deleete anything no matter if its blocked or whatever
g'luck

sp_100 · #13 02-04-2005, 06:38 PM

KillBox

or

GiPo@MoveOnBoot

mookee23 · #14 02-27-2005, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RonA

I just had a problem downloading a graphics file using FireFox. When I noticed that it was saving to the desktop I cancelled the download. I was then distracted.
I soon noticed that I had an icon on the desktop that refused to be deleted. No mater what I tried. Msconfig, regedit, cmd line, all the tricks.
So here's what I did.
I redid the download. This created a copy of the previous file but with a -1 appended to the name. Oh, great.
So I copied the file to a folder and renamed it to the same file name as the one on the desktop.
I then cut and pasted the file back to the desktop and okayed the popup that wanted to confirm the replacement.
This replaced the file, which I then deleted.
I hope this works for you.
Ron

Thank you so much I tried alot of the other suggetions and no luck. It was no a big deal but i hated seeing it all the time. Thanks again

mixter · #15 05-28-2005, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mookee23

Thank you so much I tried alot of the other suggetions and no luck. It was no a big deal but i hated seeing it all the time. Thanks again

I read this thread while looking for my own solution to this problem. I was finally able to remove my mystery desktop file using Delete FXP files by JRTwine software. I just googled a couple strings and found it. Good luck!