Files: Can'T Delete, Can'T Move

[SteeleJoe]

Trying to do some reorganizing and have discovered that when trying to cut a file or folder (these are primarily video files but not exclusively) and place it into a different hard drive, it merely copies that file/folder. When I try to delete the (original) file I tried to move, it won't delete. However the copy will delete.

Yes, I tried unclicking "read only". Tried running chkdisk (or whatever it's called) but not sure I got that right.

As may already be obvious (and if not, soon will be) I know almost nothing about IT. While appreciate that someone might not have the patience to break it won into very simple steps or explanation, or the interest in doing so, any sort of complicated stuff or loads of tech terms (that most people might know) won't do me any good at all.

As always, any help will be hugely appreciated. Thanks in advance to any and all who are willing to help out.

[Mobi]

This seems to be a common problem with me too when I download video files.

Most files will allow me to cut, paste, delete and allow me to re-name, but a significant minority prove to be very cranky.

Re-naming and cutting and pasting are my main problems. When I try to cut and paste they won't allow me to. (The message is always the same - that the file is being used by another programme, but it never is). I can usually get round this problem by copying the file to a new location, rather than cut and pasting, and then I can delete the original file. Once the file is in a new location I can usually re-name it - but not always.

I rarely have a problem deleting files, but sometimes I do have this issue. If the video file is in a folder, I open the folder and try to delete the individual files in the folder, one by one.This often works. If all else fails,I can usually delete the really stubborn files after re-starting my PC.

But it is all very frustrating and time consuming.

[JohnC]

I get this occasionally and what I do is reboot, disconnect internet connection and then delete, usually works, another way would be to try and delete in safe mode.

[sulasno]

use unlocker

[SteeleJoe]

Mobi: Yeah, I've had that too but thandled it as you did. This is a whole new thing. I'm often (always?) getting a "corrupted" warning. The files won't work. And it's not always video that has the problem.

But thanks. It's sort of good to know others have had at least some of the problems I have.

John: I'll try that. Thanks.

Sulasno: Not to be a bother but think maybe you could spare a word two more?

[badsign]

Sulasno is right.........i've been using "unlocker" for years and it works great and it's free!!!!

try this connection to get it......... http://download.cnet.com/Unlocker/3000-2248_4-10493998.html

or

http://www.filehippo.com/download_unlocker/

good luck

[lopburi3]

The message is always the same - that the file is being used by another programme, but it never is

Are you sure? Do you have a torrent program running by chance that has access to that file? Would have to remove from the program first to remove from hard drive I suspect.

[Supernova]

When I try to cut and paste they won't allow me to. (The message is always the same - that the file is being used by another programme, but it never is). I can usually get round this problem by copying the file to a new location, rather than cut and pasting, and then I can delete the original file. Once the file is in a new location I can usually re-name it - but not always.

Hit the nail on the head with this one; however, it doesn't always work. Alternatively, you can try deleting file(s) via Command Prompt using Short name instead.

- Hold down the Shift key and right click on the folder or drive containing the problematic file(s)

- Click on Open command window here

- At the prompt, type DIR /X (see screenshot)

- Use the DEL command to delete the problematic file using the short name

Sulasno is right.........i've been using "unlocker" for years and it works great and it's free!!!!

Unlocker will only work on files that are "in use". If a file/folder cannot be deleted due to filesystem errors, Unlocker won't work in this case.

[SteeleJoe]

Well I tried reboot and then disconnecting interenet. that worked for some of them. Thanks John

Now to try the "Unlocker". Thanks badsign

[Tywais]

I sometimes run into this also. No process is using the file, however normally it is due to Explorer creating or reading the thumbnail of the video and it has locked it.

An alternative to Unlocker is LockHunter in case you have problems getting Unlocker to work under Windows 7 (not mentioned in the OP which OS) - some reports of this issue.

[SteeleJoe]

Whoa! AVG is telling me that Unlocker is/ has adware/malware!

What up?

By the way, I'm using XP.

[Tywais]

Whoa! AVG is telling me that Unlocker is/ has adware/malware!

What up?

AVG has a history of false positives, not sure how much they've corrected them. From a blog by the writer of Unlocker.

Finally, I addressed the topic of false positives with Unlocker on my my blog. There is no malware in Unlocker and there will never be. And for the record I am not the only one having similar issues.

Source

and

# Frequently asked questions

- My antivirus complains about Unlocker, is there any malware? No, Unlocker will always be 100% safe, check my blog for more info.

[SteeleJoe]

Whoa! AVG is telling me that Unlocker is/ has adware/malware!

What up?

AVG has a history of false positives, not sure how much they've corrected them. From a blog by the writer of Unlocker.

Finally, I addressed the topic of false positives with Unlocker on my my blog. There is no malware in Unlocker and there will never be. And for the record I am not the only one having similar issues.

Source

and

# Frequently asked questions

- My antivirus complains about Unlocker, is there any malware? No, Unlocker will always be 100% safe, check my blog for more info.

Thanks very much. I'm taking your -- and his -- word for it.

[SteeleJoe]

Well, Unlocker worked for a couple but others...

... when I right clicked on a file (and then multiple files) and then chose Unlocker, it told me that there was no lock or anyhting but it could still do what I wanted. Well when I asked to delete the first time it worked after that it didn't...and then I got a warning that Unlocker exe. is corrupted!

My 'puter seems to be out of whack.

So now I'm supposed to run chkdsk -- but I'm scared Tried before but couldn't quite work it out and do NOT want to mess up more computer (more than it already is?)

This alternately fun and worrying. But I'm sure I look like a moron to anyone reading this stuff. Oh, well. I've been called worse -- no doubt deservedly.

[jdinasia]

What are you running for an anti-virus/malware program?

[Tywais]

Whoa! AVG is telling me that Unlocker is/ has adware/malware!

What are you running for an anti-virus/malware program?

[jdinasia]

Whoa! AVG is telling me that Unlocker is/ has adware/malware!

What are you running for an anti-virus/malware program?

Sorry, missed that

hmmmmm I'd ask my partner to look this over but he's at home with his family for the week. If you don't get it worked out by Monday afternoon SJ, please feel free to PM me and I will have him look at the thread. (He's the IT Security manager for a bank here in Thailand)

[SteeleJoe]

Whoa! AVG is telling me that Unlocker is/ has adware/malware!

What are you running for an anti-virus/malware program?

Sorry, missed that

hmmmmm I'd ask my partner to look this over but he's at home with his family for the week. If you don't get it worked out by Monday afternoon SJ, please feel free to PM me and I will have him look at the thread. (He's the IT Security manager for a bank here in Thailand)

JD: Wow, so kind of you. I knew you were a class act.

Thanks muchly.

Oh and just to make clear: I went ahead and ignored the AVG alert as per suggestions on the thread -- but the problem now is that it isn't working and apparently it (and other stuff) is corrupted. My machine is telling me to run chkdsk...

[Mobi]

The message is always the same - that the file is being used by another programme, but it never is

Are you sure? Do you have a torrent program running by chance that has access to that file? Would have to remove from the program first to remove from hard drive I suspect.

Yes, I always ensure that the file is deleted from the torrent cache before I try to 'do things with it'

As I say, some files are fine, and others are stubborn.I am usually dealing with several files at once, all downloaded at the same time by the same torrent programme. All files play fine and are not corrupt. Yet some can be cut/pasted/renamed/deleted and others cannot without a lot of messing around including a reboot.

In the past I have used 'unlocker' with mixed success. It only worked on a few of my problem files.

I just think that it is Microsoft and Explorer being their usual cranky, or should I say crappy self...

[miksguevara]

The message is always the same - that the file is being used by another programme, but it never is

Are you sure? Do you have a torrent program running by chance that has access to that file? Would have to remove from the program first to remove from hard drive I suspect.

Yes, I always ensure that the file is deleted from the torrent cache before I try to 'do things with it'

As I say, some files are fine, and others are stubborn.I am usually dealing with several files at once, all downloaded at the same time by the same torrent programme. All files play fine and are not corrupt. Yet some can be cut/pasted/renamed/deleted and others cannot without a lot of messing around including a reboot.

In the past I have used 'unlocker' with mixed success. It only worked on a few of my problem files.

I just think that it is Microsoft and Explorer being their usual cranky, or should I say crappy self...

whenever i ran into this problem I use a bleaching prog to shred the file , my prog of choice is webroot windows washer...it came free with spw sweeper

[SteeleJoe]

Seem to have sorted it out. Thanks very much all. I have to say I'm feeling pretty impressed with this forum (and to be honest I wasn't at all in the beginning -- I had the impression it seemed to cliquish and snobby and uptight)).

Thanks again everyone.

[jdinasia]

Seem to have sorted it out. Thanks very much all. I have to say I'm feeling pretty impressed with this forum (and to be honest I wasn't at all in the beginning -- I had the impression it seemed to cliquish and snobby and uptight)).

Thanks again everyone.

I am both a snob AND uptight!

[SteeleJoe]

Seem to have sorted it out. Thanks very much all. I have to say I'm feeling pretty impressed with this forum (and to be honest I wasn't at all in the beginning -- I had the impression it seemed to cliquish and snobby and uptight)).

Thanks again everyone.

I am both a snob AND uptight!

Cool! Can I be in your clique?