Why do I keep getting a CANNOT DELETE message when trying to delete a file or folder?

Question

It says,

"Error deleting file or folder. Cannot delete: It is being used by another person or program. Close any programs that might be using the file and try again."

As far as I know, it's an empty folder on the desktop, & no programs are using it.

Answer 1

Try rebooting your computer. This happens when a program or file somehow gets stuck in the ram.



If a reboot doesnt fix it, try to delete the file using the command prompt. Just be careful. If you have never used a command prompt here is a basic list of commands. http://www.sophos.com/support/knowledgebase/article/13195.html



If you have any further questions, ask.

Answer 2

Close the file/folder that you are trying to delete first. Also, make sure you don’t have any other programs using the file. For example, if you have 2 word documents open, and if you close one of them and try to delete it, you might get the error because the other word doc is open (hence MS Word is still running)..so u cannot delete file no.2!

Lastly, you won’t be able to delete certain files if you are not an administrator.



Also, you can try a trick on your computer..instead of pressing “delete” for the file, right click on the file and select “cut”, and then open “recycle bin” and paste the file there. This should work in most cases!

Answer 3

most of the time if you get a error deleting file or folder message its because you have already deleted it but its still showing up in another place then when you deleted it the wrong way it got stuck in two place and already deleted. I don't know if its the same thing that happend to you but this has happened me along time ago

Answer 4

I would try going to properties on teh file, security, taking ownership of it and all subfolders and then deleting. If that doesnt work then some process may be holding it open for some reason. to get around this start in safe mode and delete may help. If not, try logging on as a different user(system admin is best) and deleting from that account.

Answer 5

It happens sometimes. Try closing explorer.exe from the windows tasks manager. Then restart by typing explorer.exe from "Run..." menu option.



If you still have the problem then the last program that you used to open the file is still holding it up. Check in Task Manager and close it.



Good Luck!

Answer 6

sometimes, even if you do not see it, it is still being used. try checking in the task manager.



though, it is hard to say at this time. what type of file are you trying to delete? so that it can be easier to locate the problem.

Answer 7

feels like the sectors on your annoyingchronic me be commencing to fail. greater helpful run chkdsk /f. If it unearths and fixes the undesirable sectors, use this time to interchange thechronic earlier loosing each and every thing.