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

Anonymous

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?

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Anonymous

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

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

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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69 additional answers

Anonymous

2013-03-03T10:26:51+00:00
I had the same issue with Magic Disc using a current file in the "system". To resolve;

Right-click any image file and select from MagicISO options;
1. Unmount all Drivers
2. Set Number of Drivers - DISABLE
Hope this helps anyone in the future.
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Anonymous

2013-06-14T22:05:42+00:00

I sometimes get this problem with certain video files as well. Windows is staying tapped into it to be able to search it's contents when you use the search bar. The easiest work-around is to use the task manager to close explorer.exe, then run CMD and browse to where the file is located. A basic understanding of DOS commands is required. Enter the drive letter first followed by a colon, such as C: and hit enter. Then type CD followed by a space and the entire directory to the file, such as CD "c:\users\username\my documents" and hit enter. A simple DIR command will show you a listing of the files in that folder. If there are too many, try DIR /P to pause one screen at a time. Now use the DEL command to delete your file such as DEL cdimage.iso and hit enter. This should work. Use DIR to verify if you want. Type explorer.exe to restart explorer and then type EXIT to close the command prompt.
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