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  3. something won't let me delete a file

something won't let me delete a file

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  • M Offline
    M Offline
    MikeBeard
    wrote on last edited by
    #1

    All, I've a situation where I'd like to delete a directory and I'm told that I can't because something won't let me (I forget the exact message I got). It's a directory that I've created and I would think that I could delete it, but ... Is there a way (preferrably a utility of some sort) to determine what is holding onto it? Awhile back, I think that I remember someone asking about how to determine who is holding onto a file that couldn't be moved/deleted or something to that affect. Again, if I remember correctly, someone else said that there was a utility that would somehow determine who was holding/touching/whatever so that the OS wouldn't let it be operated on. Does this sound familar to anyone? I tried searching the lounge but apparently didn't remember the correct keywords. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Mike

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    • M MikeBeard

      All, I've a situation where I'd like to delete a directory and I'm told that I can't because something won't let me (I forget the exact message I got). It's a directory that I've created and I would think that I could delete it, but ... Is there a way (preferrably a utility of some sort) to determine what is holding onto it? Awhile back, I think that I remember someone asking about how to determine who is holding onto a file that couldn't be moved/deleted or something to that affect. Again, if I remember correctly, someone else said that there was a utility that would somehow determine who was holding/touching/whatever so that the OS wouldn't let it be operated on. Does this sound familar to anyone? I tried searching the lounge but apparently didn't remember the correct keywords. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Mike

      N Offline
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      Neil Van Eps
      wrote on last edited by
      #2

      FileMon

      Neil Van Eps "Staging servers are for compulsive bed-wetting types." - Chris Maunder

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      • M MikeBeard

        All, I've a situation where I'd like to delete a directory and I'm told that I can't because something won't let me (I forget the exact message I got). It's a directory that I've created and I would think that I could delete it, but ... Is there a way (preferrably a utility of some sort) to determine what is holding onto it? Awhile back, I think that I remember someone asking about how to determine who is holding onto a file that couldn't be moved/deleted or something to that affect. Again, if I remember correctly, someone else said that there was a utility that would somehow determine who was holding/touching/whatever so that the OS wouldn't let it be operated on. Does this sound familar to anyone? I tried searching the lounge but apparently didn't remember the correct keywords. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Mike

        G Offline
        G Offline
        Gyan Jadal
        wrote on last edited by
        #3

        You might want to install this buddy.. http://ccollomb.free.fr/unlocker/#download[^] GJ

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        • G Gyan Jadal

          You might want to install this buddy.. http://ccollomb.free.fr/unlocker/#download[^] GJ

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          MikeBeard
          wrote on last edited by
          #4

          Thanks Gyan! That looks like it will do the job. Mike

          1 Reply Last reply
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          • N Neil Van Eps

            FileMon

            Neil Van Eps "Staging servers are for compulsive bed-wetting types." - Chris Maunder

            M Offline
            M Offline
            MikeBeard
            wrote on last edited by
            #5

            Thanks Neil, I'll have to take a look at it. It looks good and I like all the stuff that Mark Russinovich has written that I've ended up using. I didn't realize that it would show who is holding it. That will be nice to know. Thanks again.

            M N 2 Replies Last reply
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            • M MikeBeard

              All, I've a situation where I'd like to delete a directory and I'm told that I can't because something won't let me (I forget the exact message I got). It's a directory that I've created and I would think that I could delete it, but ... Is there a way (preferrably a utility of some sort) to determine what is holding onto it? Awhile back, I think that I remember someone asking about how to determine who is holding onto a file that couldn't be moved/deleted or something to that affect. Again, if I remember correctly, someone else said that there was a utility that would somehow determine who was holding/touching/whatever so that the OS wouldn't let it be operated on. Does this sound familar to anyone? I tried searching the lounge but apparently didn't remember the correct keywords. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Mike

              R Offline
              R Offline
              Rob Graham
              wrote on last edited by
              #6

              Filemon?[^]

              M 1 Reply Last reply
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              • R Rob Graham

                Filemon?[^]

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                MikeBeard
                wrote on last edited by
                #7

                Thanks Rob. Filemon has been rolled into ProcessMon and looks to be able to do what I need. I'd forgotten all about SysInternals. Thanks again, Mike

                1 Reply Last reply
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                • M MikeBeard

                  All, I've a situation where I'd like to delete a directory and I'm told that I can't because something won't let me (I forget the exact message I got). It's a directory that I've created and I would think that I could delete it, but ... Is there a way (preferrably a utility of some sort) to determine what is holding onto it? Awhile back, I think that I remember someone asking about how to determine who is holding onto a file that couldn't be moved/deleted or something to that affect. Again, if I remember correctly, someone else said that there was a utility that would somehow determine who was holding/touching/whatever so that the OS wouldn't let it be operated on. Does this sound familar to anyone? I tried searching the lounge but apparently didn't remember the correct keywords. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Mike

                  J Offline
                  J Offline
                  JimmyRopes
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #8

                  rm -f <filename> :-D

                  Simply Elegant Designs JimmyRopes Designs
                  Think inside the box! ProActive Secure Systems
                  I'm on-line therefore I am. JimmyRopes

                  M 1 Reply Last reply
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                  • M MikeBeard

                    All, I've a situation where I'd like to delete a directory and I'm told that I can't because something won't let me (I forget the exact message I got). It's a directory that I've created and I would think that I could delete it, but ... Is there a way (preferrably a utility of some sort) to determine what is holding onto it? Awhile back, I think that I remember someone asking about how to determine who is holding onto a file that couldn't be moved/deleted or something to that affect. Again, if I remember correctly, someone else said that there was a utility that would somehow determine who was holding/touching/whatever so that the OS wouldn't let it be operated on. Does this sound familar to anyone? I tried searching the lounge but apparently didn't remember the correct keywords. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Mike

                    B Offline
                    B Offline
                    baloneyman
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #9

                    I've had instances where for some reason I couldn't delete a directory until I deleted one of its sub-directories. Never figured out where it drew the line as other directories with subs deleted fine... Roy

                    M 1 Reply Last reply
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                    • M MikeBeard

                      Thanks Neil, I'll have to take a look at it. It looks good and I like all the stuff that Mark Russinovich has written that I've ended up using. I didn't realize that it would show who is holding it. That will be nice to know. Thanks again.

                      M Offline
                      M Offline
                      malharone
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #10

                      It does .. search for a handle on a specific file name, and it'll list the processes that are locking the file. - Malhar

                      M 1 Reply Last reply
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                      • J JimmyRopes

                        rm -f <filename> :-D

                        Simply Elegant Designs JimmyRopes Designs
                        Think inside the box! ProActive Secure Systems
                        I'm on-line therefore I am. JimmyRopes

                        M Offline
                        M Offline
                        MikeBeard
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #11

                        I'll remember to try that next time! :-D

                        1 Reply Last reply
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                        • B baloneyman

                          I've had instances where for some reason I couldn't delete a directory until I deleted one of its sub-directories. Never figured out where it drew the line as other directories with subs deleted fine... Roy

                          M Offline
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                          MikeBeard
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #12

                          Yeah, sometimes the OS does strange stuff.

                          1 Reply Last reply
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                          • M MikeBeard

                            Thanks Neil, I'll have to take a look at it. It looks good and I like all the stuff that Mark Russinovich has written that I've ended up using. I didn't realize that it would show who is holding it. That will be nice to know. Thanks again.

                            N Offline
                            N Offline
                            NormDroid
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #13

                            I bet it's a service or driver.

                            Roger Irrelevant "he's completely hatstand"

                            M 1 Reply Last reply
                            0
                            • M MikeBeard

                              All, I've a situation where I'd like to delete a directory and I'm told that I can't because something won't let me (I forget the exact message I got). It's a directory that I've created and I would think that I could delete it, but ... Is there a way (preferrably a utility of some sort) to determine what is holding onto it? Awhile back, I think that I remember someone asking about how to determine who is holding onto a file that couldn't be moved/deleted or something to that affect. Again, if I remember correctly, someone else said that there was a utility that would somehow determine who was holding/touching/whatever so that the OS wouldn't let it be operated on. Does this sound familar to anyone? I tried searching the lounge but apparently didn't remember the correct keywords. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Mike

                              J Offline
                              J Offline
                              jlwarlow
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #14

                              Process explorer; previously SysInternals, now part Microsoft. You can search for handles and then kill the process (as long as it's not a system process - you wouldn't want to kill those!) http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/Utilities/ProcessExplorer.mspx[^]

                              Never argue with an imbecile; they bring you down to their level, and beat you with experience.

                              M 1 Reply Last reply
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                              • M MikeBeard

                                All, I've a situation where I'd like to delete a directory and I'm told that I can't because something won't let me (I forget the exact message I got). It's a directory that I've created and I would think that I could delete it, but ... Is there a way (preferrably a utility of some sort) to determine what is holding onto it? Awhile back, I think that I remember someone asking about how to determine who is holding onto a file that couldn't be moved/deleted or something to that affect. Again, if I remember correctly, someone else said that there was a utility that would somehow determine who was holding/touching/whatever so that the OS wouldn't let it be operated on. Does this sound familar to anyone? I tried searching the lounge but apparently didn't remember the correct keywords. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Mike

                                E Offline
                                E Offline
                                ednrgc
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #15

                                download Unlocker. It's a great program for exactly your problem.

                                M 1 Reply Last reply
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                                • M malharone

                                  It does .. search for a handle on a specific file name, and it'll list the processes that are locking the file. - Malhar

                                  M Offline
                                  M Offline
                                  MikeBeard
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #16

                                  Thanks!

                                  1 Reply Last reply
                                  0
                                  • N NormDroid

                                    I bet it's a service or driver.

                                    Roger Irrelevant "he's completely hatstand"

                                    M Offline
                                    M Offline
                                    MikeBeard
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #17

                                    Yes, for some reason, SVCHOST.EXE had something open or locked or something. Very annoying.

                                    1 Reply Last reply
                                    0
                                    • J jlwarlow

                                      Process explorer; previously SysInternals, now part Microsoft. You can search for handles and then kill the process (as long as it's not a system process - you wouldn't want to kill those!) http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/Utilities/ProcessExplorer.mspx[^]

                                      Never argue with an imbecile; they bring you down to their level, and beat you with experience.

                                      M Offline
                                      M Offline
                                      MikeBeard
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #18

                                      Thanks. I found out it was SVCHOST.EXE that was holding on to it. Sigh.

                                      UKCodeMonkey wrote:

                                      Never argue with an imbecile; they bring you down to their level, and beat you with experience.

                                      I like your sig. Makes WAY too much sense. :-D

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                                      0
                                      • E ednrgc

                                        download Unlocker. It's a great program for exactly your problem.

                                        M Offline
                                        M Offline
                                        MikeBeard
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #19

                                        Thanks! That was suggested along with ProcessMon. Both work great.

                                        1 Reply Last reply
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