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Unable to delete file in W7

Mav
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 22,371
Thanks: 4,725
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Registered: ‎06-04-2007

Unable to delete file in W7

When trying to delete some files/folders (individually) I get one of the following messages:
Quote
The action can't be completed becuase the file is open in Windows Explorer

Quote
The action can't be completed because the foldder or a file in it is open in another program

Google hasn't found any suitable solution as yet.
I have installed the latest version of Unlocker but that doesn't even show up on right-clicking on the file/fiolder like it did in XP.
Has anyone else found a solution fpr this in W7 64 bit?

Forum Moderator and Customer
Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear, not absence of fear - Mark Twain
He who feared he would not succeed sat still

8 REPLIES 8
Waldo
Grafter
Posts: 473
Registered: ‎01-08-2007

Re: Unable to delete file in W7

I'd try deleting them from the command line (but I've never used W7)  Smiley
Denzil
Grafter
Posts: 1,733
Registered: ‎31-07-2007

Re: Unable to delete file in W7

Unlocker used to be very handy, but it doesn't work in Win 7. You could try booting into safe mode and then deleting it.
VileReynard
Hero
Posts: 12,616
Thanks: 582
Fixes: 20
Registered: ‎01-09-2007

Re: Unable to delete file in W7

Use a boot CD disk - many kinds available (probably Linux) that will allow you to delete any file, since Windows won't be running. Cheesy

"In The Beginning Was The Word, And The Word Was Aardvark."

severedsolo
Grafter
Posts: 97
Registered: ‎09-03-2010

Re: Unable to delete file in W7

google a program called Lockhunter, it is the 64 bit version of Unlocker
newthing
Grafter
Posts: 146
Registered: ‎06-09-2007

Re: Unable to delete file in W7

Delete stubborn things in safe mode
or Linux  Smiley
bobpullen
Community Gaffer
Community Gaffer
Posts: 16,869
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Registered: ‎04-04-2007

Re: Unable to delete file in W7

This is a bug I think as I get the same problem occasionally on my Win 7 x64 install. I think it's something to do with the locking of the thumbnails as it doesn't happen if you turn thumbnails off. I found a reasonably informative thread a while back by googling the error.
Edit: here it is.

Bob Pullen
Plusnet Product Team
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Mav
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 22,371
Thanks: 4,725
Fixes: 514
Registered: ‎06-04-2007

Re: Unable to delete file in W7

I deleted in Safe mode in the end as I had to reboot after updates anyway.
Quote from: Waldo
I'd try deleting them from the command line (but I've never used W7)  Smiley

Nope - didn't twork.
Quote from: Denzil
Unlocker used to be very handy, but it doesn't work in Win 7.

It works OK in 32 bit.
Quote from: severedsolo
google a program called Lockhunter, it is the 64 bit version of Unlocker

I'll look for this for future use.
Cheers all.

Forum Moderator and Customer
Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear, not absence of fear - Mark Twain
He who feared he would not succeed sat still

newthing
Grafter
Posts: 146
Registered: ‎06-09-2007

Re: Unable to delete file in W7

Dave: aargh , thats happened on so many occasions,
I've stopped thinking about a possible cause,
It is in fact a bug.
M$ unspeakable oaths..
T.