Cannot delete file (not your typical situation)

[youngbuck]

I downloaded a file that ended up being bunk, and now I cannot delete it. When I right click on the file and look at it's properties, both the Size: and the Size on disk: is 0 bytes. The Read Only attribute is NOT checked. I am the Owner of the file, and have Full Control of it.

When I try to deleting it, it says the typical

'Cannot delete SomeFile: It is being used by another person or program.

Close any programs that might might be using the file and try again.'

Well the first thing I tried is making sure no unnecessary processes were running. This didn't work. So I tried deleting it in Safe Mode. This didn't work. Then I resorted to using a couple programs that delete files on reboot while the OS isn't running yet. I tried GiPo@MoveOnBoot, and DelinvFile. Both with no success.:mad:

Then I tried to track down which process was related to this stubborn, undeletable file. Using Sysinternals's Handle (http://www.sysinternals.com/Utilities/Handle.html), it was revealed to me that there is NO process using the file!!!:bang head

Now, I can't think of anything else to do! Please help!

Thanx in advance,

-YB

[redduc900]

Try either...

Delete Doctor
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=4473

... or Unlocker
http://ccollomb.free.fr/unlocker/

You could also try this method if the the above programs don't work for you...

Close all open programs... Start | Run | Type taskmgr.exe and click OK. Leave Task Manager open, and click Start | Run | Type cmd and click OK. Leave the Command Prompt window open, go to Task Manager and click the "Processes" tab; "End Process" on "Explorer.exe". Go to the Command Prompt window and navigate to the file that you'd like to delete, and enter del <filename>. Go back to Task Manager | Click "File" | New-->Task | Enter explorer.exe to restart the GUI.

The following MSKB article may also be of some help to you...

You Cannot Delete a File or a Folder on an NTFS file system volume
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;320081

[youngbuck]

I actually tried your Task Manager/Command Prompt tactic before (forgot to mention that). It didn't work, and I tried everything in the MS Support article, didn't help either. Then I just tried Delete Doctor and it worked! Thanks for the suggestion. I just can't believe it worked and the other programs I tried didn't. Thanks again!

[shadowdr]

You could also try End it all.
http://www.the-old-sea-dog.net/enditall.html

[Centurion]

I like move-on-boot. Haven't ever run into a file I couldn't delete.

http://www.snapfiles.com/get/moveonboot.html