error deleting file or folder it is being used by another person or program

[rlennie]

I'm getting this error trying to delete exe files of all things.

error deleting file or folder it is being used by another person or program

I've tried the notepad trick. I suspect it's a process that did not terminate correctly but what key is it in the registry?

[GroundZero3]

restart the machine and try to delete

[Shabow]

I am guessing that the machine you are using is running that program. You might want to try and use the cmd prompt to delete this file.

[Sixpac_XP]

boot into safe mode (f8 - just before Windows starts loading) and then delete the file.

[rlennie]

Well of course I tried rebooting.

The program is not being used at all. I am unable to delete any exe.

I did try booting in safe mode - not effect. I also tried deleting from a command prompt and deleting using notepad.

Thanks! But this is obviously a registry thing.

[cryptoguy]

This may sound silly, but check for spyware. This peron here thinks it is related to spyware
Are you connected to a network? Sometimes if a process was left unfinished on another computer, it could try to use your program and not allow it to be removed

[unantenna]

I also got same problem, So could a nice very simple solution, here i share it with u.

There is a very simple free software called Unlocker at UNLOCKER 1.8.7 BY CEDRICK 'NITCH' COLLOMB site
Direct link is
http://ccollomb.free.fr/unlocker/unlocker1.8.7.exe

I did install it and unlock that file, then I could delete it.

Thank you very much,
unantenna2000@yahoo.com

[Lrac Puclats III]

If you are trying to delete a file or folder and the system keeps saying it cannot because the file is being used by another program, yet you know there's no other program that has the file, try the following;
- Some process has ahold of the file.
- Download Microsoft's free Process Explorer from Windows Sysinternals: Documentation, downloads and additional resources. This is just a more sophisticated version of Task Manager.
- Under the view tab go to Lower Pane View and click on Handles
- Scroll down until you see the file or folder you are having a problem with.
- Right click and select Close Handle
- Now you should be able to delete the file or folder