Ron Schenone

Windows Error Message – Error Deleting File or Folder

Posted by on Nov 28, 2006 | 36 Comments

Every once in awhile you run into a computer problem, that you can’t get fixed, and it’s a little embarrassing. Such was the case this past weekend. My wife and I were visiting our relatives and the conversation turned to a computer problem. It was explained to me that the new computer system the relatives had, was displaying a error message when they tried to delete a folder. The folder in question was one that they had created, which they no longer were using.

Piece of cake I thought to myself. Well after a hour of struggling and trying all the tricks I knew, the folder still was there. I kept getting a error message ‘ can’t delete folder, it is being used by another person or program’, which was not the case.

So I jumped on the internet and did a quick Google search for the error message. Surprise! I found a link which was from one of the forums I belong to at lockergnome.com, in which a similar problem and solution was posted. I gave the third party software a try, and the folder was gone.

Upon returning home I went to the website where I had originally located the software which is called Unlocker. I read the authors description of his product which he claims will also remove files and folders, for other system error messages as well.

Please take a look at this software which I highly recommend. And it’s Free!

Check out the link here.

[tags]windows error message, deleting, files, folder, software, free [/tags]

  • http://www.philscomputerroom.com Phil Lockit

    I just searched for a way to get rid of a stubborn folder ran across the unlocker WOW!!!! nice I have been using an older version of GiPo@ Utilites.com MOVE ON BOOT. Which did not do half of what I needed to do. Thanks so much. Good luck in 2007

  • Connie

    You are awesome! Thanks a million!

  • http://wp3.lockergnome.com/nexus/blade/ Ron Schenone

    Hi Connie,
    You are welcome.

  • Brad

    OMG man yous a life saver been trying to get rid of a file for a week thanks alot man.

  • http://wp3.lockergnome.com/nexus/blade/ Ron Schenone

    Hello Brad,
    I’m glad it helped. Thanks for letting us know.
    Ron

  • Majid

    WOW. works like a charm. 1st and only link i clicked on in google and problem solved. Thank you very much.

  • http://wp3.lockergnome.com/nexus/blade/ Ron Schenone

    Hi Majid,
    Thanks for letting me know and I am glad it worked for you.
    Ron

  • unamariposa

    thank you! thank you! thank you for this! =)

  • http://wp3.lockergnome.com/nexus/blade/ Ron Schenone

    Hello unanariposa,
    You’re welcome.I’m glad it helped.

  • Carlito’s way

    Thank you to lockergnome.com for saving me a big headache and time trying to delete a file with the error it is being used by another person or program.
    thank you very much.
    Carlito’s way.

  • http://wp3.lockergnome.com/nexus/blade/ Ron Schenone

    Hello Carlito’s way,
    I am glad this worked for you.
    All the best, Ron

  • LB Back

    Hi Ron,

    Thanks for this very usefull tip. Works like a charme :D I’ll donate to the developer.

    LB Back

  • http://wp3.lockergnome.com/nexus/blade/ Ron Schenone

    Hi LB Back,
    Thanks for your comment. I’m glad it helped.
    Regard, Ron

  • Red Beard

    This didn’t work for me. It said the files were being used in the explorer.exe still can’t get rid of them.

  • http://wp3.lockergnome.com/nexus/blade/ Ron Schenone

    Hello Red Beard,
    Sorry to hear it didn’t work for you.
    Ron

  • rob

    Great Tool !!

    I would advise anyone to use it if you are having problems deleting a file or folder.

  • http://wp3.lockergnome.com/nexus/blade/ Ron Schenone

    Thanks Rob

  • http://www.stevepavlina.com/forums Bruce

    Cheers Ron. Thanks to your post (and the program you linked to) I was able to get rid of a 600MB file that, despite my best efforts, refused to be deleted.

    Thanks again!

    Kind regards,
    Bruce

  • snore buttes

    why does everyone seem to be following a post format..

  • topcat

    Brilliant piece of software solved a big problem and freed up masses of space on my hard drive. Well done Ron. You’re bookmarked!

  • http://wp3.lockergnome.com/nexus/blade/ Ron Schenone

    I’m glad this software proggie is working well for everyone. :-)

  • voodoo

    hi thanks it does really work. you should put a couple of lines of description on how to work it …its fairly easy but still.
    thanks again

  • http://ysamphy.com Phy

    It works! Phew! Thanks a lot for the helpful post!

  • Peter Simmons

    Hi, ive seen your website about error dleting message and we are experiencing the same problem. Sometimes 4 or 5 will appear one after the other and we have no way of finding or curing the problem. I hope you can shed some light on the situation since we have liminited computer knowledge.
    Many thanks

  • http://wp3.lockergnome.com/nexus/blade/ Ron Schenone

    Hello Pater,
    Download Unlocker at the link I posted above. This will remove the offending files. Hope this helps.
    http://ccollomb.free.fr/unlocker/#download

  • Naveen Kumar

    It really help me deleting a folder which was there since 3 years or so… great utility.

    thanks

  • http://wp3.lockergnome.com/nexus/blade/ Ron Schenone

    I’m glad it worked for you.

  • James

    Worked like a charm. Thx sooo much

  • http://wp3.lockergnome.com/nexus/blade/ Ron Schenone

    James,
    You are most welcome. Thanks for letting us know.

    Ron

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  • The Thinker 006+1

    That error message might also appear if you don’t have permission to delete particular file or folder. Open properties dialog, go to security tab, and make sure that permissions are set up properly.

  • John

    Unfortunately I tried chkdsk with every imaginable switch, Safe Mode, Admin access, the Recovery Console DEL /MOVE commands (with Set AllowAllPaths /wildscards actvated. etc) and every sort of hidden tricks and they did not work… also this Unlocker did not help.

  • Ryoko

    There’s a way to do it without the risk of downloading any program, although Unblock is reliable and handy.

    1. Simply go to your Processes by pressing Ctrl+Alt+Del.

    2. After that, look for explorer.exe under Image Name.

    3. Next click on it, and then click on End Process below.
    Now your taskbar and files on your desktop will disappear, don’t worry.

    4. Next click on File>New Task (Run. . .)

    Type explorer.exe, and click ok.

    Now you should be able to delete that folder. Your desktop may be changed a bit, since it hasn’t memorized new files you’ve add or moved, but nothing will be deleted or lost.

    If this fails, it’s simply because you have a program open that is using it as a directory.

  • http://www.blunatik.com blunatik

    Ryoko, thanks. Sorted it out in one minute without downloading any software.

  • Marrie Alen

    But the only thing which helped me is a tool available at http://pathtoodeep.com

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