Delete - Can't Delete Files or Folders
Checkpoints/workarounds: Test the Delete after each suggestion.
1. Go to Start/Run/CMD and type in: RD /S [drive:] path
2. Open Notepad and save the (blank) file with the name of the undeletable file. Under save as, navigate to the file, delete.
3. Move the file into a new directory and then delete the directory.
4. Close all open apps. Open a command prompt (Start/Run/CMD) and navigate to the directory with the offending file(s). Then open the Task Manager and click on the Processes tab, select "explorer.exe" under Image Name. Click "End Process".
In the opened Command Prompt, DEL the offending files (DEL *.mpg, DEL mus*.avi, DEL test.wmv, etc.) Once done, go back to the task manager and click on the Applications tab. Click the "New Task..." button. in the dialog, type explorer.exe and click OK.
Note: Could also opt for: ATTRIB -H -R -S filename before the DEL.
5. Or you can use Process Explorer:
http://www.sysinternals.com/ntw2k/freeware/procexp.shtml. Use the search function to find every handle that Explorer.Exe has open and close them (right-click on the file and choose 'close handle'). Then delete the file(s) in question.
NTFS: "Access Denied" Error Message When You Try to Delete a File
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;EN-US;298345
Delete - AVI, MPG... files (access denied error)
Close all open apps. Open a command prompt and navigate to the directory with the offending files. Then open the Task Manager and click on the Processes tab. select "Explorer.Exe" under Image Name. Click "End Process".
Now you will only have the command prompt and the task manager. In the Command Prompt, DEL the offending files (DEL *.mpg, DEL mus*.avi, DEL test.wmv, etc.)
The files should now delete without a problem. Now go back to the task manager and click on the Applications tab. Click the "New Task..." button. in the dialog, type Explorer.Exe and click OK.
Process Explorer shows you information about which handles and DLLs processes have opened or loaded. Use the search function to find every handle that Explorer.Exe has open and close them (right-click on the file and choose 'close handle'). Then delete the file(s) in question.