Trying to delete a CD image file, get error "The action cannot be completed because the file is open in another program"

Anonymous
2010-01-19T13:16:22+00:00

I'm trying to delete a CD image file (.img) from my desktop

when I try to put it in the recycle bin I get the message

"The action cannot be completed because the file is open in another program Close the file and try again"

First I checked obvious things like whether the .img file was  mounted in a virtual drive - it isnt so I then used LockHunter to find which application is using the file so I can close it through the Task Manager.

Unfortunately LockHunter tells me that the file is being used by "System" - which cannot be shut down through the TM.

Any help?

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Files, folders, and storage

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Anonymous
2010-08-31T05:21:08+00:00

The problem is that the program that you used to mount the image is still using the image.  In my case i used magic disk. Go to the start menu find the magic disk folder and in the folder there should be an option to uninstall magic disk. I tried un-installing it from conrtol programs add and remove but it would not let me. You can also click on computer from the start menu and see if the file you are trying to delete is still mounted (appears as a CD image). If it is you can click on the drive hit eject.

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Anonymous
2010-01-20T12:28:42+00:00

Hi Tobleton_Plonk,

First I would suggest that you try to boot into safe mode and try to delete the file, check if it works.

Steps to boot to Safe mode

1.     Restart your computer if it is powered on.

2.     Tap the F8 key after your computer initially powers on.

3.     Once you see the Advanced Boot Options menu you can stop tapping.

4.     Use the up/down arrow keys to highlight your selection.

5.     Select Safe Mode and press Enter.

6.     You should see drivers loading, and then Please wait.

7.     You should then be at the Welcome Screen.

8.     Logon to your computer using an account with Administrator privileges.

Start your computer in safe mode

http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/323ef48f-7b93-4079-a48a-5c58eec904a11033.mspx

If you are unable to delete the file in the safe mode then try deleting the file with administrator privileges and check if it works.

• Right click on the file and later click on “Run as administrator”

Why can't I delete a file or folder?

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Why-cant-I-delete-a-file-or-folder

Halima S    - Microsoft Support.

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Anonymous
2010-01-20T22:46:15+00:00

Try using one of the following free products to delete the file.  File Assassin http://www.malwarebytes.org/fileassassin.php (with or without Force Delete: http://www.mydigitallife.info/2008/12/27/force-delete-cannot-delete-locked-or-in-used-files-or-folders-with-fileassassin/) or Unlocker at: http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/System-Miscellaneous/Unlocker.shtml.  These programs often work when normal Vista delete functions fail to operate properly.

I hope this helps.

Good luck!

Lorien - One - MCSE/MCSA/Network+/A+

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  1. Anonymous
    2011-03-24T15:46:08+00:00

    1st off I do not work for MS or any other sw mfg. I am an amatuer programmer who currently has some ime on his hands.

     # 1 MS and any other sw group is not going to support someone elses sw except for minimal points where the software may cross, though I am sure tat they help as best that they can.

    2 this problem occurs over many forms of formats and extensions and is subject to the drives used, both hard, temporary, flash, and network plus whatever else might be out there.

    3 speaking of video software, I also use various programs that use the mkv and similar formats, the programs used are 3rd party software and as such

    not a part of MS's responsibility.

    4 these same programs also create these types of issues in explorer.

    Now, that rather minimal explanation aside, if you have programs which use a specific extension such as mkv the files tend to use multiple progams for their shell operation, some are used within the explorer shell itself (though not part of explorer), and can lock the file into place simply because it is providing infomation about the file such as: Height x width, Duration or codecs used.

      In addition the mkv shell uses multiple programs and when the file is closed and or main program in use is closed, the programs which handle other parts of the mkv (or similar) shell, occasionally remain open.

    My suggestion, which I use is to open the video files in the same editor or media program that you last used for it, then stop playback (if running), close the file, some players require that you close the file again to close the support programs that are in use, so close the file again (if possible). Some programs also keep related and indexing files open, and may need to be closed.

    Then attempt removal of the files.

    The ones that are embedded into the explorer shell may never release unless you highlight the file move away to a different file and close the explorer window.

    Give that a try, and perhaps you will not need to reboot, enter safe mode, or use a different sw mfg to remove the files.

     What really needs to happen is for the ones making the codecs or shell programs to close when the media program that was used closes, and for the embedded shell programs not to lock the programs in the first place, or at least until the info has been gleened from the file.

       OWnow

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  2. Anonymous
    2011-03-23T17:30:36+00:00

    Craigg75,

    It's still an answer because sometimes it works ...

    Lorien - MCSE/MCSA/Network+/A+

    This is stupid, you've provided a work around for a problem which needs to be fixed.

    Why don't you and your engineers get off your rears and provide a fix for the agrevating problem which millions of people are suffering from?

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