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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 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

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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.

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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?[^]

              M Offline
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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

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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
                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

                  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

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                        M Offline
                        MikeBeard
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #12

                        Yeah, sometimes the OS does strange stuff.

                        1 Reply Last reply
                        0
                        • 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
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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
                            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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                                    • 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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