Deleting files and folders that wont delete

[DotComGuy]

Hi
How do you delete the files and folders that wont delete? I remember using a program that would get rid of the unwanted files. The file is not being used by another program even though it says so

Any help appreciated

Thank you

 

[ANDORYUU]

As you are a windows user, can't you use Task Manager to locate the open file, and close it before trying to delete it? If no, try launching in safe mode, then delete it. (unfortunately, I have no idea how to launch a PC in safe mode, only on a Mac).

 

[DotComGuy]

I googled the topic and your answer was on of the results but I dont see how it is done in task manager.

Right now, I have a folder with 70 folders within it and it wont delete. There are no files, per say, to delete. Just empty folders

PS
Does Tinypic not work at this forum? I uploaded the photo and was immediately deleted



thanks

 

[DotComGuy]

I found a program I had used once before called 'Unlocker' (from download.com)


Using Unlocker
--------------

How often have you tried to delete or rename a file or folder and got
"Cannot delete xxx: It is being used by another person or program." ?

Unlocker is a tool which will help you removing this scandaleous Windows
bug.

Simply right click the file or folder and select Unlocker. If the file
or folder is locked then a window will appear with a list of processes
locking the file or folder. Select the locks and click Unlock and you
are done.

It is recommended to Unlock wisely and to close open processes locking
files or folder if any, but if only Explorer.exe is the culprit, do not
hesitate !

 

[bogatrice]

Maybe after you reboot you'll be able to delete them? That always worked for me when the situation came up.

 

[DotComGuy]

I tried deleting one folder at a time. It didnt work.

I went into porperties and uncheck boxes, etc. That sometime worked.

I used Unlocker before and it worked but it didnt work on the '70 folders'

I think Ill ask also at annoyances.org

 

[Kins123]

Try safe mode. Before you do this though I would recommend double checking to make sure these files/folders are safe to delete.

To get into safe mode just power on your computer and tap F8 until a menu comes up and choose "Safe Mode".

 

[DotComGuy]

OrionFyre,
Im good with computers but Im out of my comfort zome.

What Ive done is place the folder (with 70 folders inside) on the desjtop. Ive cleared the desktop to simplify everything

DELete ALL FILES in all S[.b]ub directories Forcing deletion of read only in Quiet mode

What is {b}S{/b} subdirectories? (I used a different bracket because the text disappeared because the other brackets were used. Im new to the board and getting used to the code used here)

Can I delete my folder from the desktop or should I move it to c drive so it is C:/trash files?


Thanks for the help ;-)

 

[DotComGuy]

I got to this part . . .

start > shutdown

the window pops up.
I press ctrl + alt + delete and the task manager window pops up.

You mention "explorer will stop."

- do you mean the task manager?

You then write . . . .
in the command window type the following

Code:
del *.* /S/F/Q

Do you mean that that code is suppose to be entered in command prompt under

cd c:\documents and settings\m1000\desktop\trash files\

I made a video of what happened . . . (next post)

 

[DotComGuy]

http://www3.telus.net/m1000/clip0012.avi

video of my desktop

 

[Telstra]

looks like porn files.

how about restart the computer and try again.

 

[DotComGuy]

It looks like porn files

Im not sure if you are talking about the viudeo (where there isnt any porn) or the folder and subfolders posted above

I use Quadsucker Web to save photos from websites.

http://www.quadsucker.com/quadweb/

 

[trinket]

I see some "equals" (=) signs in your filenames. Not sure if this'll work, but sometimes Windows has a problem deleting files with funky characters in them for me. I just rename that character to something more conventional and often I can then delete them just fine afterwards.

 

[DotComGuy]

I advanced a bit more but Im not sure what to do next.
I did ctrl + shift + alt and the window disappears

Back in command prompt, I hit enter and I get an error message (see video 1)
I accidentally recorded when I thought I paused so advance to 0:35 for the end of the video



I tried again and pasted on the next part of the code, which is cd desktop/trash files

That didnt work either (video 2)