File locked but indeed no program is using it


  1. Posts : 6
    windows 7
       #1

    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
      My Computer


  2. Nem
    Posts : 375
    Win7 Home Premium x64 SP1, Archlinux x86_64. Elementary Luna
       #2
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 17,796
    Windows 10, Home Clean Install
       #3
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 17,796
    Windows 10, Home Clean Install
       #4

    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
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 5,642
    Windows 10 Pro (x64)
       #5

    gabitao said:
    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 ?!?
    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.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 845
    Windows 7 - Vista
       #6

    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

    .
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 6
    windows 7
    Thread Starter
       #7

    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
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 845
    Windows 7 - Vista
       #8

    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

    .
      My Computer


 

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