Can not delete a file in xp

It starts with the basics for Windows and moves on to more involved tricks. The process will work for all recent Windows releases, but Windows XP has been causing the most the problems, so we will focus on it. Please note: we are assuming that the file is not crucial to the operation of Windows — deleting important system files can cause havoc. Software Patch. Is the file in use? It sounds obvious but it happens. If it is being used or open, close the file and the application that opened it.

For example, if it is a Word document, close Microsoft Word. If the file was opened in an application and subsequently closed , but the program is still running, try quitting the program. Windows will lock a file because the application hasn't yet released it. This is not always Windows fault and can be the fault of the program. DivX files don't get on very well with Windows XP and sometimes renaming the file can trick Windows into releasing it.

Reboot your PC and don't start any programs. Go directly to the file and delete it. Sorry this didn't help. Thanks for your feedback. Ned Anderson. Close any programs that might be using the file and try again. Well I got Unlocker just for that and Unlocker works perfectly, but here's the catch. The process locking the folder in every instance is explorer. I am an administrator and I also noticed when I change most of the folder attributes the updates reflect except when I uncheck the attribute read-only, select O.

This thread is locked. You can follow the question or vote as helpful, but you cannot reply to this thread. I have the same question 0. Method 4. Free software to delete files that cannot be deleted. You can use the built-in tool, Command Prompt to execute a deletion command to delete a file or a folder. Step 1. Step 2. And press Enter to execute the deletion. Step 3. Step 4.

The computer will be started to Safe Mode, and then, delete the file or folder in the Safe Mode. Another cause of failing to delete files is errors on the disk.

You can close all opened files, and check if there is an error on your disk, and fix it. Right-click the disk on which the files you want to delete stored. And it will check if there is error on the disk. If there is an error, this program will fix the error automatically.