can't delete file in windows xp


Recommended Posts

There's a folder with a couple files in it I wanted to delete.

Error I'm getting is access denied.

Ok, I've tryed the following.

1. Restarted computer, tryed to delete as soon as I got in. - doesn't work

2. Boot into safe mode, tryed to delete file. - doesn't work

3. Tryed to delete single files in the folder - doesn't work

4. Tryed to delete the whole folder - doesn't work

5. Tryed third party software to delete the folder (MoveOnBoot) - doesn't work

6. Tryed to rename the files in the phone - wouldn't work

7. Tryed deleting through cmd with /q /s flags - doesn't work (access denied)

8. Started running checkdisk, but at 4/5 I think it stopped or it took too long so I canceled it.

9. used killbox

I can rename the folder that contains all the files but that's about it.

The folder holds about 10gigs, that's why I pretty much wanna get rid of it.

Also, it's a slave drive. 120gig Seagate.

Link to comment
https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/278843-cant-delete-file-in-windows-xp/
Share on other sites

Press delete for a file and the confirmation dialog appears. Wait from 10 secs to a minute and after that press ok. Works for me.

This could also be a sign of the HD getting corrupted or some serious malfunction. My external Lacie HD first had these symptoms and they got worse and after two weeks the HD was totally ruined.

  permissionToExterminate said:
Press delete for a file and the confirmation dialog appears. Wait from 10 secs to a minute and after that press ok. Works for me.

This could also be a sign of the HD getting corrupted or some serious malfunction. My external Lacie HD first had these symptoms and they got worse and after two weeks the HD was totally ruined.

585390022[/snapback]

Oh.. this is new for me :huh: fortunately not happening for me :D

Take a look at Process Explorer (http://www.sysinternals.com/ntw2k/freeware/procexp.shtml). You might be able to see what has that file locked.

The most common reason for not being able to delete a file is it's probably being used by a process and cannot be deleted until the process frees the file. I use a utility called WhoLockMe which flags up the process locking the file and shows an option to terminate the process to free up the file. This works for me 99% of the time. Failing that, download MoveOnBoot which allows you to flag a file for deletion next time your computer reboots. However, I've only ever had to use this once. Good luck!

  spfdz said:
I'm gonna assume that if it doesn't work in command, it won't work in that aswell

585390038[/snapback]

perhaps, perhaps not. since knoppix doesn't touch anything on your harddrive and isn't windows-based, there's pretty much a 0.00% chance that anything will be accessing/using the folder and you should be able to delete it pretty easily.

as for how to use it... it's not rocket science. downloading the .iso will probably take longer than the deletion process.

I had a problem like this, I couldnt delete some .exes of DOS games I had...

I went into the task manager, and ended explorer. Afterwards, I opened up a command prompt and deleted the offending files that way.

I dont know if this will work for you, since you want to get rid of an entire folder O_o

  AV0X said:
Is it a porn file? (seriously)

585390568[/snapback]

hehe. yeah he never told us what type of folder/files. in most cases the file is locked by explorer. if the explorer end task i mentioned above does not work, it's obviously being locked by some other process :p

  Xerus said:
I had a problem like this, I couldnt delete some .exes of DOS games I had...

I went into the task manager, and ended explorer.  Afterwards, I opened up a command prompt and deleted the offending files that way.

I dont know if this will work for you, since you want to get rid of an entire folder O_o

585390601[/snapback]

How do you delete files with command prompt?

  AV0X said:
Is it a porn file? (seriously)

585390568[/snapback]

No not porn.

Couple exe files and iso images I made of my games.

And as for safe mode. Although it seems your trying to help, you should at least read the first post throughly. (points at#2)

EDIT: Deleting files with command prompt.

"del" or "rmdir"

in command prompt, use del /? and rmdir /? before actually using it so you don't screw something up..

i have been asked this several times, and every time the following method works.

ok do the following exactly as i am about to tell you, and your problems should be gone.

this is assuming no other program is keeping your files open, and that its windows that is just acting up.

1. ctrl alt del, then in task manager, right click on explorer.exe and terminate it. (your desktop icons will dissapear, that is normal)

2. Now MAKE SURE, you dont close task manager. keep it open.

3. go to file, then run and type cmd

4. now go to your file that you want to delete and delete it in dos. ( from your previous posts i assume you know how to use dos)

5. when you are done close command prompt.

6. go back to task manager and file, then run, and type explorer

7. your desktop should re-appear, and now you can close task manager.

this works almost every time. Hope it helps you.

This seems to be a common enough problem in windows xp, since i have been asked this question several times by people i know, and i have experienced it myself on a few computers. In my experience, this has nothing to do with bad harddrive etc.. it seems to be somthing corrupt in windows, and tends to happen on old installations which have been heavilly used.

  interested said:
i have been asked this several times, and every time the following method works.

ok do the following exactly as i am about to tell you, and your problems should be gone.

this is assuming no other program is keeping your files open, and that its windows that is just acting up.

1. ctrl alt del, then in task manager, right click on explorer.exe and terminate it. (your desktop icons will dissapear, that is normal)

2. Now MAKE SURE, you dont close task manager. keep it open.

3. go to file, then run and type cmd

4. now go to your file that you  want to delete and delete it in dos. ( from your previous posts i assume you know how to use dos)

5. when you are done close command prompt.

6. go back to task manager and file, then run, and type explorer

7. your desktop should re-appear, and now you can close task manager.

this works almost every time. Hope it helps you.

This seems to be a common enough problem in windows xp, since i have been asked this question several times by people i know, and i have experienced it myself on a few computers. In my experience, this has nothing to do with bad harddrive etc.. it seems to be somthing corrupt in windows, and tends to happen on old installations which have been heavilly used.

585395842[/snapback]

yep, that's my preferred method aswell ;)

This topic is now closed to further replies.
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Posts

    • It's not a joke but I think it is pretty hilarious I was searching Fitch for a credit rating on a fund.   I found what Fitch had to say about the fund including this disclarimer.  LOL "This abstract may have been generated in whole or in part using artificial intelligence and is therefore subject to error and inaccuracy, including but not limited to, hallucination" No link posted for privacy reasons.       
    • Save up to 83% on a lifetime subscription to 1minAI (choose from three plans) by Steven Parker Today's highlighted deal comes via our Apps + Software section of the Neowin Deals store, where for only a limited time, you can save up to 83% on lifetime subscriptions to 1minAI. Whether you're a copywriter, designer, social media manager, podcaster, small business owner, or just someone who needs AI for different uses, 1minAI is for you. Powered by various AI models, 1minAI offers a diverse range of AI features that can surely help you with whatever you need. Chat with numerous assistants, create images, write blog posts, optimize your website, and much more with ease. Plus, it’s always improving with weekly updates that you'll get through the 1minAI Newsletter and Public Roadmap. Powered by various AI models Chat with many assistants Chat with AI for smart and interactive conversations. Get help with all sorts of questions and tasks, making problem-solving and decision-making super easy. Chat with: GPT-4o, GPT-4 Turbo, GPT-4, GPT-3.5 (OpenAI) Claude 3 Opus, Claude 3 Sonnet, Claude 3 Haiku, Claude 2.1, Claude Instant 1.2 (Anthropic) Gemini Pro 1.5, Gemini Pro 1.0 (GoogleAI) Llama 3, Llama 2 (MetaAI) MistralAI Command (Cohere) Comprehensive writing tools Keyword Research Blog Article Generator Rewriter Content Expander Content Shortener Paraphraser Summarizer Grammar Checker LinkedIn Comment X (Twitter) Comment Facebook Comment Brand Voice Generator Advanced image processing and editing capabilities Image Generator Image to Prompt Image Variator Background Replacer Background Remover Text Remover Image Upscaler Search and Replace Image Editor Interact with PDF documents using various AI models Summarize the content of the PDF Translate the text within the PDF Answer questions based on the information in the PDF AI for audio & video editing Audio: Versatile audio editing and processing tools that help you edit, enhance, and manipulate audio files for various purposes. Text to Speech Speech to Text Audio Translator Video: Edit, enhance, and create videos with professional quality 1minAI Pro Plan Includes 4,000,000 credits/month plus the opportunity to generate up to 450,000 additional credits/month for free* All product features All AI features Flagship AI Models Unlimited prompt library Unlimited storage Unlimited brand voice Flexible credit use Monthly credits usage example Generate up to 1,112,500 words per month Research up to 5,933 SEO keywords per month Generate up to 1,186 images per month Upscale up to 741 images per month Remove background up to 74 images per month TTS up to 370,833 characters per month Transcribe audio up to 14,833 seconds per month Generate up to 37 videos per month 20 members Members Management Sharing - Collaboration Good to know Free 15,000 credits when logging in daily, equivalent to 450,000 credits/ month NOTE: Codes are NOT stackable. Length of access: lifetime Redemption deadline: redeem your code within 30 days of purchase Access options: web browser Updates included For example, a lifetime subscription to 1minAI (Business Plan) normally costs $540, but this deal can be yours for just $99.99, a savings of $440. For full terms, specifications, and license info please click the link below. Get the Business Plan lifetime deal for just $99.99, or learn more There are two other plans to choose from at the above link Although priced in U.S. dollars, this deal is available for digital purchase worldwide. We post these because we earn commission on each sale so as not to rely solely on advertising, which many of our readers block. It all helps toward paying staff reporters, servers and hosting costs. Other ways to support Neowin Whitelist Neowin by not blocking our ads Create a free member account to see fewer ads Make a donation to support our day to day running costs Subscribe to Neowin - for $14 a year, or $28 a year for an ad-free experience Disclosure: Neowin benefits from revenue of each sale made through our branded deals site powered by StackCommerce.
    • Be careful what you wish for. Microsoft’s ideas for bells and whistles either brings ads, web views, “AI stuff”, bugs, or all four. I’d be happy if it was just full of performance optimizations and bugfixes.
    • Still needs many more bricks to accurately model that pos. 
  • Recent Achievements

    • Dedicated
      Cole Multipass earned a badge
      Dedicated
    • Week One Done
      Alexander 001 earned a badge
      Week One Done
    • Week One Done
      icecreamconesleeves earned a badge
      Week One Done
    • One Year In
      PAC0 earned a badge
      One Year In
    • One Month Later
      PAC0 earned a badge
      One Month Later
  • Popular Contributors

    1. 1
      +primortal
      564
    2. 2
      +FloatingFatMan
      188
    3. 3
      ATLien_0
      184
    4. 4
      Skyfrog
      113
    5. 5
      Som
      109
  • Tell a friend

    Love Neowin? Tell a friend!