unable to delete video file

[aw22]

I'm unable to delete (3) 40-520mb .mkv files. I get "The action can't be completed because the files is open in Windows Explorer". I gont even have opened files and this, I have tryed to restart and then delete them, but still the same result.
Whats the problem?
I dont even have them in any video player list or something like that. And Video player(s) has been closed before I have tried to delete them.

 

[Anak]

Try:

"The action can't be completed" might be because the preview mode is active.
Deactivate the Preview mode for the folder the file is in.
In view options; show conventional view for folder.

Or:

• Right-click on each file, select Properties.
• Then under the General tab of each individual file select the Advanced button for Attributes.
• Un-check both options under the File Attributes section.
• File is ready for archiving
• Allow this file to have contents indexed in addition to file properties.

That should allow you to delete them. If not then you would have to try in safe mode.

 

[karlsnooks]

aw,

Please let us know if you were able to delete the files.

 

[boohbah]

I dont suppose they are in a utorrent list ?

 

[aw22]

Well it was already "Allow this file to have contents indexed in addition to file properties." And I'm still unable to delete thoise 3 files, other files I can delete. Well I can watch thoise 3 .mkv files but I cannot rename or move or delete.

 

[karlsnooks]

aw,
If you boot to an elevated command prompt and then with the CD command go to the folder with those files, can you then use the ATTRIB command to view the attributes, for example, ATTRIB *.mkv

If you see a S,H, just any letter other than A, then remove that attribute.
For example, ATTRIB *.mkv -s -h
After clearing all attributes except for A (archive) then you should be able to use DEL *.mkv to delete the files.

Let me know if this solves the problem, if not then I've another trick up the sleeve.

 

[Bill2]

Try deleting in safe mode.

 

[karlsnooks]

Bill,
Thanks. I had meant to put that first in the things to try and skipped right to the command prompt trick. Let's hope that one of these two ways gets the job done.

 

[aw22]

When I used ERASE command in cmd I got same problem "The process cannot access the file because it is being used by another process.". Gonna try soon in Safe Mode.

 

[marsmimar]

This last resort method has worked for me a few times in the past. I used regedit and searched for all mention of the specifc file name. For example, I once had Die Hard 2 on my computer and I couldn't get rid of it no matter what I tried. But once I deleted all references in the registry I was able to uninstall it. (I made a backup of the registry just in case something went wrong.) Perhaps other more knowledgeable forum members will comment on this.

 

[Anak]

Well it was already "Allow this file to have contents indexed in addition to file properties." And I'm still unable to delete thoise 3 files, other files I can delete. Well I can watch thoise 3 .mkv files but I cannot rename or move or delete.

This statement is unclear to me.
It sounds like you saw that those two advanced attributes were checked off,

• File is ready for archiving
• Allow this file to have contents indexed in addition to file properties.

You left them that way, tried to delete, and they would not delete.

They need to be Un-checked then try to delete.
My apologies if I mis-understood, and you indeed un-checked them.

And no mention is made whether or not you tried to deactivate preview mode.

"The action can't be completed" might be because the preview mode is active.
Deactivate the Preview mode for the folder the file is in.
In view options; show conventional view for folder.

When I used ERASE command in cmd I got same problem "The process cannot access the file because it is being used by another process.". Gonna try soon in Safe Mode.

When you do try Safe Mode you may find that you will not be able to empty the recycle bin.

Reboot back into Safe Mode and empty the bin from there (Safe Mode).


Some other options:
If you have Malwarebytes you can try using the built in File Assassin program located on the "More Tools" tab of the mbam program.

Or download the stand alone version here:
FileASSASSIN: Malwarebytes

Then there are these two:
http://ccollomb.********/unlocker/
And
Eraser

There is also "Move on Boot" here:
Gibin Software House
But it only goes to XP

 

[aw22]

I have checked and also re-checked attributes settings.

 

[Shark007]

My guess would be that you have chosen to install software from DivX and now they own you.

 

[aw22]

It happened right after I had installed DivX update or something like that. they had DivX logo on it only. But I got now deleted with FileASSASSIN v1.06, had to use "Use delete on Winodws reboot functions." other way it wouldnt have let me to delete. Thx Anak and everyone alse.

 

[Shark007]

My guess would be that you have chosen to install software from DivX and now they own you.

It happened right after I had installed DivX update or something like that.

you have only begun to notice the inconsistancies caused by use of anything from DivX.
I wish you luck with your continued usage of this detrimental software.

 

[Anak]

Thx Anak and everyone alse.

Your welcome.

 

[aw22]

you have only begun to notice the inconsistancies caused by use of anything from DivX.
I wish you luck with your continued usage of this detrimental software.

What do u mean by detrimental software? xD

 

[SouthParade]

I had similar problems in the past, and on every occasion the files became 'deletable' after a reboot/restart. A bit OTT, I know....

 

[abhishekbhushan]

cannot delete file solution

open task manager go for background process and look for appropriate process in which your "file in use".
'in my case it was a video file so i look for vlc media player in process just end the task and delete the file".