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

    • Microsoft updates default app choices for Windows 10 and the Curl tool with build 19045.6029 by Sayan Sen Microsoft has rolled out a new Windows 10 release preview build today for Insiders flighting the channel. The new build, 19045.6029, has some new changes and improvements. The biggest highlight is related to default app choices for the EEA (European Economic Area) region. Microsoft writes: "We are rolling out some small changes in the EEA region for default browsers via the Set default button in Settings > Apps > Default apps: Additional file and link types will be set for the new default browser, if it registers them. The new default browser will be pinned to the Taskbar and Start menu unless you choose not to pin it by clearing the checkboxes. There is now a separate one-click button for browsers to change your .pdf default, if the browser registers for the .pdf file type." Microsoft has also updated the curl command line tool with "most recent stable version is 8.14.1". Aside from those, remote Component Object Model (COM) activation that were failing with 0x8001011 error code has been fixed. And there are several other changes too. The full changelog is given below: [Mobile Operator Profiles] Updated: Country and Operator Settings Asset (COSA) profiles. [App Platforms and Frameworks] Fixed: An issue affecting Component Object Model (COM) functionality on Windows platforms, where remote COM activations were failing with error 0x8001011. Upgraded the version of the curl tool included in Windows to v8.13.0. [Authentication Platform] Fixed: An issue affecting the device registration in Entra ID Windows Account Manager (WAM) plugin. [Input and Composition] Fixed: An issue affecting the complete removal of unused language packs and Feature on Demand (FOD) packages. This led to unnecessary storage use and increase in Windows Update installation time. [Print and Peripherals] Fixed: An issue affecting USB-connected Multi-Function printers with dual protocol interfaces, where scanning may fail and prevent use of the OS’s built-in scanning functionality. [Start Menu] Fixed: An issue causing jump lists to disappear from the Start Menu. Fixed: An issue where the Start Menu was not starting after installing an update. [Settings] Fixed: Settings > System > About unexpectedly shows version 2009 instead of version 22H2. [Servicing] Fixed: An issue where Kiosk devices using the ForceAutoLogon configuration and Shift Override might stop responding with a blue screen after being locked and unlocked by support administrators. [File Server] Fixed: An issue where the system may hang when acknowledging an Oplock break on resources located on SMB shares. You can find the official blog post here on Microsoft's website.
    • This is a liability problem. They aren't simply going to trust that you aren't the driver. I think if they really wanted to they could do something similar to key fobs where they only work if they are in the proximity of the driver's seat. As already pointed out by a Random Stranger, simply having your passenger hit the play button doesn't make it any less distracting for the driver.
    • Windows 11 gets improved app defaults settings and Windows Share in build 22631.5545 by Taras Buria Windows 11 build 22631.5545 is now available for download in the Release Preview Channel of the Windows Insider Program. The update is a pretty minor one, but it still packs some important changes, such as improvements for app defaults in the Settings app, Windows Share enhancements, and a few fixes here and there. With build 22631.5545, Microsoft is giving users in the EEA region more control over default apps in Windows 11, particularly for browser defaults. Now, browser defaults support additional file and link types. Your default browser now pins itself to the taskbar (you can turn this option off), plus you can change your typical PDF viewer with one click (if the browser of choice supports PDF handling). As for Windows Share improvements, the sharing window now includes a preview of the link that you are about to send to someone. The rest of the changelog includes various fixes: [Audit] Fixed: An issue with auditing privilege use created too many security event logs. These logs filled up the system drive and prevented users from signing in. [Authentication] Fixed: This update fixes an issue where domain-joined machines running Windows 11 22H2 or 23H2 couldn’t update their account passwords on Windows Server 2025 domain controllers, which led to trust relationship issues. [Country and Operator Settings Asset (COSA)] Fixed: This update brings profiles up to date for certain mobile operators. [Display Kernel] Fixed: An issue that prevented Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) connections until you restarted your device. [Network file sharing] Fixed: This update fixes an issue where workstations and servers might stop responding when connecting to resources located on Server Message Block (SMB) shares. [Performance] Fixed: This update addresses an issue that prevented the complete removal of unused language packs and Feature on Demand packages, which previously led to unnecessary storage use and longer Windows Update installation times. [Shell] Fixed: This update resolves an issue where kiosk devices might stop responding after being locked and unlocked by an administrator. [Windows Hello] Fixed: This update fixes an issue that prevented the automatic renewal of expiring certificates in Windows Hello for Business. [Windows Search] Fixed: Windows Search responds very slowly—the Search Box can take over 10 seconds to load before you can use it. You can find the announcement post here.
    • Father's Day is coming, so give your dad some great gifts by Steven Parker Mashup from Depositphotos.com (1) (2) Father's Day is quickly approaching on Sunday, June 15. If you haven't gotten your dad a gift for the occasion, don't sweat it. There are lots of affordable gifts you can buy for Father's Day on Amazon, and if you order one or more of them right now, you can get them shipped to you in time to give them to your dad. Below we have put together some Apple deals, and we'll keep expanding the list as we come across more interesting deals, so be sure to check back. iPad Deals Apple iPad 11" 128GB A16 Tablet $299 -14% now $299 (was $349) Apple iPad Air 11" 128GB M3 Chip Tablet -17% now $499 (was $559) Apple iPad Air 13" 128GB M3 Tablet -12% now $699 (was $799) 2024 iPad Mini A17 Pro 128GB 8.3" Tablet -20% now $399 (was $499) 2024 iPad Pro 11" 256GB M4 OLED Tablet -10% now $899 (was $999) 2024 iPad Pro 13" 256GB M4 OLED Tablet -15% $1099 (was $1299) Apple Pencil (3rd Gen, For Select iPads) -13% now $69 (was $79) Apple Pencil Pro (For Select iPad Pro & Air) -23% now $99 (was $129) AirPods deals Apple AirPods Pro 2 Wireless Earbuds -32% now $169 (was $249) Apple AirPods 4 Spatial Audio Wireless Earbuds -23% now $99 (was $129) Apple AirPods 4 Active Noise Canceling Wireless Earbuds -17% now $149 (was $179) Apple Watch Deals Series 10 GPS 42mm (Sport Band) -25% now $299 (was $399) Series 10 GPS 42mm (Sport Loop) -25% now $299 (was $429) Series 10 GPS 42mm (Sport Loop) -23% now $329 (was $429) Series 10 GPS 46mm (Sport Band) -23% now $329 (was $429) Apple Watch Ultra 2 49mm GPS Smartwatch -8% from $739 (reg $799) Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) Smartwatch -32% from $169 (was $249) MacBook Deals 2025 MacBook Air 13.6" M4 Chip Laptop (16GB/256GB) -15% now $849 (was $999) 2025 MacBook Air 15.3" M4 Chip Laptop (16GB/256GB) -13% now $1049 (was $1199) 2024 MacBook Pro M4 14.2" Laptops -11% from $1429 (was $1599) 2024 MacBook Pro M4 16" Laptops -10% from $2249 (was $2499) Mac Deals Mac Mini M4 10-Core CPU 10-Core GPU -8% now $546 (was $599) iMac M4 24" 8-Core CPU/GPU (16GB/256GB) -8% now $1193 (was $1299) iMac M4 24" 10-Core CPU/GPU (16GB/256GB) -7% now $1349 (was $1499) Kindle deals 16GB Kindle Scribe + Premium Pen -25% now $299.99 (was $399.99) 32GB Kindle Scribe + Premium Pen -24% now $320 (was $420) 64GB Kindle Scribe + Premium Pen -22% now $350 (was $450) Samsung 49" Odyssey OLED G9 (G95SC) 240Hz Curved Gaming Monitor -$800 now $999.99 (was $1799) Samsung Galaxy Buds FE True Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds -35% now $64.99 (was $99.99) Samsung Galaxy Tab S10+ -$120 now $879.99 (was $999.99) Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 47mm -31% now $449.99 (was $649.99) SAMSUNG Galaxy S25+ -12% now $879.99 (was $999.99) These are just a small selection of the discounts on offer; for more great deals, go to Amazon's Deals page. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
    • HOLY MOTHER, did not see that one coming. if they can get Rick Moranis to participate, this will be me: https://tenor.com/5P2L.gif
  • Recent Achievements

    • One Month Later
      Orpheus13 earned a badge
      One Month Later
    • Week One Done
      Orpheus13 earned a badge
      Week One Done
    • One Year In
      Orpheus13 earned a badge
      One Year In
    • Week One Done
      serfegyed earned a badge
      Week One Done
    • Week One Done
      fashionuae earned a badge
      Week One Done
  • Popular Contributors

    1. 1
      +primortal
      519
    2. 2
      ATLien_0
      261
    3. 3
      +FloatingFatMan
      202
    4. 4
      +Edouard
      168
    5. 5
      Xenon
      122
  • Tell a friend

    Love Neowin? Tell a friend!