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stubborn files

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6 replies

by bulldoggy_27

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I used winrar and un zipped a file. It shows it is all there but will not work. The file has worked before, but not this time. My main problem is that I cannot delete the file. Says it is being used by another person or program. Even if the computer is just started and know nothing is using it. I have tried and used cmd and delete it within in the dos shell. This usually works with stubborn files but not this time. Any ideas ??

6 replies

by ann777

If the file is being loaded on boot... it should not delete in a DOS shell.

Boot to DOS mode or Safe Mode (Recovery Console if Win2000 or WinXP) and then at the DOS prompt, navigate to the file and delete the file. Because Safe Mode and a DOS-Only load does not load anything beyond Windows' main programs, you should always be able to delete 3rd party files this way.

by ann777

That didn't come out quite right:

Safe Mode only loads Windows' necessary files.
DOS Mode does not load any of Windows.

A Dos Shell operates within Windows (already using the Windows registry and files).

by otl

Added note to answer 1, if it still will not allow you to delete it you may need to use "attrib -r -s -h " to gain access to delete the file.

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