Win XP is locking down my files

[SurfD]

This problem is really REALLY beginning to bug me. Windows is getting stuck on some files, and constantly reporting them as being in use. this means i can not rename them, edit them or, most importantly, DELETE them.

This happens on nearly any file extention, ranging from .avi fies, through to .exe files, and even stuff like VMWare Workstation virtual disks.

Having a 1.6 gig virtual disk stuck on a partition sucking up a lot of hd space is a real pain in the a**.

Does anyone have any idea how I can fix this, or force a delete?

As a note, rebooting, scandisking, and defragging do nothing to fix the problem.

As of yet, the only solution to the problem i have ever encountered is to either boot into another OS or format the partition, and neither of those options is a very good fix.

[XtremeMaC]

i get that problem often bc of explorer.exe not being able to close things properly

so i've been using www.sysinternals.com 's process explorer

dl it

simply open the program type in the name of the file(or folder) u're trying to delete (in find ctrl+F)

it should find a process, don't kill the process just kill the handle.

if u cannot find it try searching the dll's with (ctrl +g)...

hope it helps u

[SurfD]

oh my god.....that program is absolutely AWESOME.

Problem solved.

Now, if i can just get a mod or someone to delete that Double posted thread......