Windows 7: File locked but indeed no program is using it

Hi fellows,

The problem: I tried to delete a file or a folder and Windows7 says that it is being used by a program so I cannot delete it.
And the truth is that it WAS being used by a program but it is not any more !!
Of course if i just reboot the system I'll be able to delete it or maybe after some time...

I have observed this happens specially when you are using PowerPoint files.

It is amazing this problem - frequent in XP- have not been solved.
Why are they adding a new bunch of non-essential features while these basic things have not been really deeply solved ?!?

Thxs,

Gabi

Hello and welcome,

Try this program here:

Download Unlocker 1.8.9 - Get rid of error message like Error deleting file or folder, cannot delete folder: it's being used by another person or program - Softpedia

Gotta love this program. =)

Edit:

If you have x64 bit windows try:
http://lockhunter.com/

Download Unlocker 1.8.9 - FileHippo.com

Well the post above mine was identical, so I feel that I still owe you a remedy. If all else fails try this.

File - Delete from Command Prompt

Solve it how? The system is only obeying what it is suppose to be obeying. These things happen now and then when something is using the file in the background. Sometimes if you wait for a bit it might clear itself up or might not. But there is nothing to solve when the system is doing what it is suppose to be doing.

Run SysInternals Process Monitor - summary by file to see what app(s) is using the file.

Free from Microsoft TechNet --> Process Monitor

No installation required - it's a stand-alone execuatable file. RIGHT-click on procmon.exe, select "Run as Administrator".

Regards. . .

jcgriff2

.

Thanks you all for your quick response.
I'll try your suggestions when the problem arise again.

I'm particularly curious about knowing which program is locking a file so thanks jcgriff2 for your help.

By the way, this problem could be solved just giving the user (at least if it have administrator privileges) the ability to unlock the file "ejecting" all the other processes which are locking the file. So instead of just saying "Not possible to delete because is locked", Windows7 could say "Some program is locking, do you want to fully unlock the file and proceed deleting ?".
I guess it is easier to say it than to do it but I'm suprised the Microsoft Team is not focussed on solving this issues.

Anyway thanks again,

Gabi

I forgot to mention that ProcMon writes output to the page file, so don't let it run for more than a few hours - or your system will freeze as the page file reaches virtual memory limitations.

You can change the output file if you wish.

Regards. . .

jcgriff2

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