Forcing format/delete in Windows XP

saggio

Hi there,

I'm trying to format a harddrive and delete some other files on a seperate harddrive, but I am unable to do so. Whenever I try to delete said files, I am told that they are "in use" by a program and that I must close the program before I delete the files. But I am unable to find what, if any, program these files are using, and I am unable to delete them. Also, when I try to format my other harddrive, it tells me that it cannot find the specified files, and thus will not delete anything.

I know there has to be some way to force a delete or a format, but I don't know what it is.

Thanks for your help.

nexuscrawler

http://www.killbox.net/

I've used this one to stomp out a number of viruses that labelled themsevles "in use" to avoid deletion.

if you're trying to do a complete format it's probably better to do it in windows install from a bootable disk. Or use Ultimate Boot Disc for it(google it it's a great toolto have)

Fristle

If you understand what you're deleting and know it is not supposed to be in use by any program, you can force it closed. Windows Explorer (the UI for the desktop and file browser in Windows) has had a bug for years now, where it would leave files open and make them impossible to delete.

To force a file closed, you have to delete its open "handle" (a programming abstraction, meaning a program's reference to the file). Run the freeware tool SysInternals Process Explorer, show handles, then search for the filename of the file you are having trouble deleting. Find that handle, delete it, and then do what you want with the file.

Mordrack

Sounds like you could use unlocker.
http://ccollomb.free.fr/unlocker/

LovingFFXI

You might also want to check to make sure your os insn't using that drive for its swap file. By default XP will make the swapfile in the drive with the most free space. So if you haven't messed with that setting that might be the cuprit.