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    How can I delete useless files.

    Discussion in 'Security and Anti-Virus Software' started by Homer_Jay_Thompson, Jun 9, 2007.

  1. Homer_Jay_Thompson

    Homer_Jay_Thompson blathering blatherskite

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    I am trying to delete some useless files, but Windows XP thinks they are currently in use. I checked the process and application list and they are not in use. How can I delete these files?
     
    Homer_Jay_Thompson, Jun 9, 2007
    #1
  2. Sam

    Sam Notebook Virtuoso

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    Sometimes I get that. On my PC, that is :p.

    What I usually do is I restart my PC, and then once Windows is loaded try deleting it again. It might work, I've had it work many times. Usually, some weird application is somehow using it in some way, but if you don't open any application yet maybe you can delete it.
     
    Sam, Jun 9, 2007
    #2
  3. Matt

    Matt Notebook Deity

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    Yep, restarting solves the problem unless a) Windows uses the file or b) the program that was using it is a start up program.

    Matt
     
    Matt, Jun 9, 2007
    #3
  4. Homer_Jay_Thompson

    Homer_Jay_Thompson blathering blatherskite

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    Nope. Neither of those techniques are going to solve this problem because Windows thinks it is using them for some reason. Could these be a type of virus or spyware? My virus scanner and several spyware detectors are not finding anything though.
     
    Homer_Jay_Thompson, Jun 9, 2007
    #4
  5. kickace

    kickace Notebook Deity

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    reinstall windows (clean install) and it will also take off all the crap the manufacturer put on
     
    kickace, Jun 9, 2007
    #5
  6. Charles P. Jefferies

    Charles P. Jefferies Lead Moderator Super Moderator

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    I use A1Click PC Cleaner to scan my computer and get rid of useless files. It does cost $29.95 but in my opinion it's worth it.
     
    Charles P. Jefferies, Jun 9, 2007
    #6
  7. Greg

    Greg Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Try booting info safe mode and then deleting it.
     
    Greg, Jun 9, 2007
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  8. Jalf

    Jalf Comrade Santa

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    If safe mode doesn't work, you can almost always delete them through the command prompt (cmd.exe) if you close explorer.exe in task manager.
     
    Jalf, Jun 9, 2007
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  9. Matt

    Matt Notebook Deity

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    Really? Wow, that's awesome. I never knew that... Thanks for the great tip, Jalf. :cool:

    Matt
     
    Matt, Jun 10, 2007
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  10. joystik

    joystik Notebook Evangelist

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    joystik, Jun 10, 2007
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  11. R4000

    R4000 Notebook Virtuoso

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    Either that, or rename the file extension to some gibberish and reboot. Just be sure they are really not important files. ;)
     
    R4000, Jun 10, 2007
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  12. Homer_Jay_Thompson

    Homer_Jay_Thompson blathering blatherskite

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    That worked great with Windows 98, but XP will not let me rename it.

    EDIT:

    Combine that with Spybot Search and Destroy's secure shredder for full results.
     
    Homer_Jay_Thompson, Jun 10, 2007
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  13. R4000

    R4000 Notebook Virtuoso

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    Curious. What does it say when you attempt to rename it?
     
    R4000, Jun 10, 2007
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  14. Homer_Jay_Thompson

    Homer_Jay_Thompson blathering blatherskite

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    It gives a standard message that the file is currently being used by windows and so on. It recommends to close it before I delete it.
     
    Homer_Jay_Thompson, Jun 10, 2007
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  15. R4000

    R4000 Notebook Virtuoso

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    Ah. So whatever it is, it might likely be tied to some erroneous startup process that is loading with Windows. Have you tried renaming it in Safe Mode, rebooting, and then deleting it?
     
    R4000, Jun 10, 2007
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  16. Homer_Jay_Thompson

    Homer_Jay_Thompson blathering blatherskite

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    I tried deleting it in Safe Mode, but I did not try renaming it in Safe Mode.
     
    Homer_Jay_Thompson, Jun 10, 2007
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  17. sathyaterry

    sathyaterry Notebook Evangelist

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    i tried deletng files in safe mode.. it worked.. mind u im using vista
     
    sathyaterry, Jun 10, 2007
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  18. olyteddy

    olyteddy Notebook Deity

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    olyteddy, Jun 10, 2007
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  19. sathyaterry

    sathyaterry Notebook Evangelist

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    sathyaterry, Jun 11, 2007
    #19