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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

    G Offline
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    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

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        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

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          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

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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

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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

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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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                      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
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                        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.

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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

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                            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

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                              MikeBeard
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #16

                              Thanks!

                              1 Reply Last reply
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                              • N NormDroid

                                I bet it's a service or driver.

                                Roger Irrelevant "he's completely hatstand"

                                M Offline
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                                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
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                                • 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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