File/Folder is in use and cannot be deleted...

[Oober_Noober]

We've all had it happen. We try to delete a file or folder only to receive the infamous error message: "Cannot delete n: It is being used by another person or program. Close any programs that might be using the file and try again." I've also seen similar messages saying something about the file or folder being used by another process, etc. My question is: is it possible to trace which process or application is using a certain file or folder?

Thanks,


--Oober

[Maksim]

Try searching for the file in Google.. I have a hacking site.. but you need to register.. i wish i could upload the file here.. and share.. it...

[panboy]

Try a program Called Kill Box you can used it to delete locked files on reboot

http://www.scanwith.com/download/Pocket_KillBox.htm

[Rob Pomeroy]

As my old maths teacher always used to say, read the question!  

[GX1_Man]

As my old math teacher used to say "Where were you yesterday?"

[panboy]

Your Right Rob, I'm a Dummy...
I thought he just wanted to Delete it...

Any way , i had a program Called Regmon that show all Active links to the Registry it may be able to Help find the Offending program, ill see if i can find Regmon for you

http://www.sysinternals.com/Utilities/Regmon.html

Thar She Be , you should be able to use that to see the Program to file Relation

[Rob Pomeroy]

Sysinternals is the right place to go for help with this (for the time being).  They have a >command line utility< and a >GUI<.

[Oober_Noober]

I'll respond to each of you in turn:

[highlight]Maksim said:[/highlight]
"Try searching for the file in Google"
Well, it's not always that simple. Some of the folders/files in question are related to games or applications which don't seem to have correlative processes running in the background.

"I have a hacking site.. "
What is your hacking site? Is it just a "hacking" site or is it a real 1337 ha><0r site? In other words: would you get banned for posting a link?

"i wish i could upload the file here.. and share.. it..."
What file are you talking about? I didn't mention any file nor did you, so what file are you wishing you could upload? Are you holding back some snazzy little tool from us?  

[highlight]Panboy said:[/highlight]
"Try a program Called Kill Box you can used it to delete locked files on reboot"
Even though it doesn't quite address my issue, I still think it could be very useful. Thanks for the tip.

"Any way , i had a program Called Regmon that show all Active links to the Registry it may be able to Help find the Offending program, ill see if i can find Regmon for you"
Thanks! That seems to be a bit more like what I'm looking for. I'll give it a try.


[highlight]Rob Pomeroy said:[/highlight]
"Sysinternals is the right place to go for help with this (for the time being).  They have a >command line utility< and a >GUI<."

 

I've had ProcessExplorerNT on my USB key for the last 6 months now. That seems to be exactly what I"m looking for. *sigh* Moving on... I'll give this app a try as well and see how it works. Thanks for the info all!


--Oob