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  3. something won't let me delete a file

something won't let me delete a file

Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved The Lounge
questionalgorithmstoolshelptutorial
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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

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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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      MikeBeard
      wrote on last edited by
      #11

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

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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.

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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"

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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.

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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.

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                      MikeBeard
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #19

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

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