can't delete a file that's "being used by another program"

Start your computer in safe mode. power up and press F8 continuously until safe mode starts. delete the files from the administrator a/c

If trying to delete that object while in Safe Mode while logged on as Administrator doesn't get the job done, there still are options.

Download Option^Explicit's PocketKillbox to a folder created for it on your desktop. When it has downloaded, locate and double-click on the Killbox.exe icon (a red circle enclosing a white "X") to run the app. A new window will pop up. In the "Full Path of File to Delete" dialogue box, type or paste the full path/filename of the item you wish to delete - be certain you accurately enter the exact and complete path/filename. Click to select "Delete on Reboot". Now click the red circle with the white "X" in it to the right of the dialogue box. You will be prompted "File will be removed on Reboot, Do you want to reboot now?", click "Yes" to do so. If for any reason shutdown fails, just reboot manually (Start>Turn off Computer>Restart). When your machine has rebooted, the selected object should be gone.

The way PocketKillBox works, more or less, is to insert a "Run Once" Command Line delete instruction for the selected object very early in the boot order, before much of anything else has had a chance to load. Use PocketKillBox with care; while it won't work on every "undeletable" object, it does work on far and away most of them, and anything on which it does work gets a one-way ticket outta town.

Another handy utility for objects which resist manipulation (renaming, moving, deleting, etc) is Nitch Collomb's Unlocker. Very often an object which resists PocketKillBox will succumb to Unlocker, which works a bit differently (its kinda-sorta a "Bigger Hammer"). It is a program, and will install by default to your Programs file when you execute the downloaded .EXE. The "How to" on the download page is very good (despite its quirky English) - read and understand it. The FAQ available on the download page (scroll down the page to see it, or click "FAQ" up at the top right of the download page) has lotsa good info - again, despite quirky English - as well.


If none of what's been offered so far helps, let us know exactly what you tried and exactly what happens when you try what.

bm