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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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  • N Neil Van Eps

    FileMon

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

    M Offline
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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

          J Offline
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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

            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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                  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

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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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                          M Offline
                          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.

                              M Offline
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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

                              1 Reply Last reply
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                              • E ednrgc

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

                                M Offline
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                                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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