several minute delay when deleting any .exe file?

[jptech]

Any .exe file I want to delete, or gets deleted with a software upgrade, the file deletes and upon a refresh, reappears and gets locked.

Even software which tries to do auto updates like steam or thunderbird or firefox cannot proceed.

After several minutes, the file finally disappears and remains deleted.

I'm going to attempt to trace this with process explorer but any help along the way will be greatly appreciated.

 

[TimStitt]

Hi Jptech,
Run a quick isolation test to rule out the usual suspects.

• Turn off indexing and see if the problem continues.
• Turn off antivirus and see if the problem continues.
• Turn off spyware software (if sepearte from AV)

Remember to do these one at a time and turn them on again when complete!

If we're lucky one of these will volunteer itself as our culprit and we can test further. Let me know how you go.

BTW - Is there anything in written in the event log at the same time as the delete attempt that may assist?

Also - just to rule these out: Is the drive fragmented? Is the drive sound (i.e. you've run chkdsk?)

 

[MilesAhead]

Might not be a bad idea to run malwarebytes if you haven't done so already. I had a similar thing. I couldn't delete files even using utilities that delete on next boot or unlockers. Turns out there was some prank setting in the registry "shell no change" or something. There may be something similar with a time delay or something to do with shell refresh times or to do with letting go of files.

A quick scan with malwarebytes found it and cleaned it off.

 

[pmfcmmak]

Program Compatibility Assistant

This is because you disabled the Program Compatibility Assistant service or one of its dependencies. Re-enable the service or deactivate compatibility lookups using GPOs (Disable Program Compatibility Assistant in Windows 7 and Vista - How-To Geek)

 

[jptech]

This is because you disabled the Program Compatibility Assistant service or one of its dependencies. Re-enable the service or deactivate compatibility lookups using GPOs (Disable Program Compatibility Assistant in Windows 7 and Vista - How-To Geek)

Excellent answer. This makes total sense. Unfortunately, it didn't resolve the issue.

 

[Matarsak]

I'm having the exact same issue. The only solution thus far has been to run the programs in Safe Mode.

 

[Satsumomo]

Arise!

I am having this exact same problem. So far I've asked in 2 other forums, we have gone through extensive troubleshooting and nothing has worked.

Basically, I cannot delete folders with exe files in them instantly. If I delete a folder, the folder will remain, all other files in it will be deleted but the exes will remain.

I will get a "You need permission to do this" if I try to delete exe files, but it doesn't matter if I have 100% usage rights to the file in question, it will simply not allow me.

Queue 3-4 minutes later, the files disappear. This is terrible because any application that auto-updates cannot do anything to delete the file.

Compatibility services is running, I am at a loss here. Started as soon as I installed Windows.

 

[Satsumomo]

I have found a solution!

Before formatting my computer, my username was Momo, I didn't do a settings transfer or anything, I just copied everything over.

I changed my username to Momo-2 and all the troubles have completely disappeared!

Finally.

 

[MacMonsi77]

.exe windows 7 delete delay

you can test my solution before changing any settings, just start the command prompt and enter:
"net start AeLookupSvc"
"net start PcaSvc"

now try to delete some ".exe" file... (or a copy of some .exe) - if windows explorer deletes the files immediately (press F5 to refresh and check), then it works!

open "services.msc" and set the startup type of the "AeLookupSvc" ("Application Experience" or "Anwendungserfahrung") and the "PcaSvc" ("Programm Compatibility Assistant" or "Programmkompatibilitäts-Assistent-Dienst") to "automatic"

cu

 

[Petersgc]

WoW!

This worked....

Now the question would be Why?

Why does the "Application Experience" service and the "Program Compatibility Assistant Service" prevent you from deleting .exe files and creating a delay in deleting other things.....

 

[Daniel009]

Great, MacMonsi77.

For me in Windows 8 N, only the "Application Experience" needs to be started. Weird indeed.