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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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questionalgorithmstoolshelptutorial
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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?[^]

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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

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            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

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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.

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                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

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                  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"

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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
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                        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

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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"

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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.

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                                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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