Cannot Delete Useless File

Same system as always, WinXP 3Ghz Intel P4, 1Gb RAM.

I was downloading a file (an exe from a trusted site) and it didn't finish, in fact Firefox's download system froze and with it my download failed. So I started again and managed to download the file successfully. However, the failed copy of the file is still on my desktop, and I cannot delete it. It gives me the message that the file is in use. I've rebooted twice, and it still won't go away. Can I get any help on this?

 

Are you running the program (good download) while trying to remove the file (bad download)? Might want to uninstall both, use CCleaner and RegSeeker to clean up left-overs, and then re-install. You can also click Ctrl+Alt+Del and look in Processes to see if anything is running from the program (should not play with any of these unless you know it is from this program.) If you find one, stop the process and try removing the file. Ultimately, it would be best to remove the program, check for left-overs and remove them, then re-install the program.

 

Delete it in Safe Mode (reboot and repeatedly tap the F8 key), or if that fails, use something like UnLocker or Pocket Killbox.

 

Just a tip that within Hijackthis gui misc tools section there is a "delete a file on reboot" function.

 

You can also use the command prompt>>

Using the command prompt to delete files & folders.
First open a comand prompt. Now open task manager/processes & end explorer.exe. Leave task manager open.

1/ From the command prompt.
2/ Looks like this.....C:\Documents and Settings\User Name>
3/ Type cd C:\ (enter)..........Looks like this............C:\>
4/Assuming the files are in program files
Type cd Progra~1 (enter)...........Looks like this......C:\Progra~1>
5/ Use the cd command on each folder till you get to the one
containing the files for removal.
6/ When you get to the offending files that needs deleting do this without the quotes>
C:\Progra~1\Folder\ 'del bad.file' (enter) del = delete files
With folders do this without quotes>
C:\Progra~1 'rd folder name' (enter) rd = remove directory (folder)
Once done restart explorer.exe in task manager/applications.

 

Found this in my help tips folder.Haven't had to try it but may be helpful -

Open Command prompt type DEL hit space bar and drag/drop file into command prompt window.

Open Task Manager/processes and kill explorer.exe, go to CMD prompt and hit enter.

Go to Task Manager/New Task and type explorer.exe hit ok..

 

Wow, I'm amazed... lots of help for this one! I appreciate it very much. Franklin, your latest suggestion was the simplest and ended up being very effective. I dunno why it was still being used, but I had already deleted the good file. Thing is, the full download was 500Mb.

Thanks again,

Jag