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Guys,
How do you do under Windows XP to delete a folder when it's in use? What i mean is that the folder i want to erase isn't being used but, sometimes, when i open a folder to see or work with a file inside it and, later, when i want to erase the folder, it says that folder is being used and so can't delete it. I have to reboot the system and then i can erase it. Do some of you have the same problem? Is it an XP bug or just an option i must disable somewhere?
Thanks.
DKRR
It is in use somewhere. The file is, that is. ctrl + alt + del and go to the processes tab, and look for it in there. When you find it, press it and then press "End Process." Then you should be able to delete the folder and file.
Jehnny,
Sorry but nope. For example, i download a zipped file, then i unzipped it in a new folder in my desktop. Then i open that new folder and (for example) i check the files inside it to see if they're the ones i need. After that, i realized i don't need that files because they aren't what i'm looking for and so i delete the files and the folder is totally empty. Then i go back to my desktop and try to delete the empty folder but it says i can't because it's being used... but the folder is not in use, besides, it's empty.
What could it be?
Thanks.
Go to your temp folder and delete the files that you opened/unzipped. They'll be in there. Delete those, and again look in your processes dialogue, and see if that works.
Jehnny,
No luck buddy!!! I have done everything you told me and more, but the folder isn't being used, at least, nowhere it says that. I have deleted all the Windows temp files but nothing.
Anyway, really thanks for your help and time to answer. :D
Bye.
To find out what program/process is using the folder/files in the folders, get an application called filemon. It is available from www.systernals.com
Then you can kill that process and you should have no problem deleting the folder/file.
I have run into this problem sometimes, but right after I have used that file/folder.
I have found that if you give it a couple of seconds, and refresh your explorer/desktop (wherever you are trying to delete it from) will update the use of the file/folder and let you delete it.
phishphreek80,
Thanks for the link. I will surely use it.
Bye.