Can't delete video

[hexDb]

One more thing you can try. putting the file with same name in same directory to replace that file. and try deleting it.. I can remember old days when unable to delete autorun.info files from usb drive. so creating a new file with same name and replacing it always worked for me..

 

[KIPtheLIP]

Have you tried a file shredder program like spybot has? https://www.safer-networking.org/secure-shredder/

Also as others have said maybe boot to a linux based program and bypass Windows. I can navigate my hard drive and delete files using BitDefender Search and Rescue boot CD.

You might also try putting that hard drive into another computer, initializing it, browse to the file and try to delete it that way.

 

[Igrecman]

Just download any Ubuntu live CD or other Linux distro like Knoppix. Boot on the CD or DVD, and then you'll have no problem deleting or renaming any problematic files on any drive, even those protected by Windows.
A similar problem happens to me sometimes when I unzip an archive that was made on a Mac.

 

[alabama man]

Use linux. Bootable USB linux stick is easy to make and useful in loads of problem situations.

 

[Kibaruk]

Lol could you let him try one of the few tens of suggestions before keep on suggesting?? lol

 

[Thannos]

Restart your computer then try going back and deleting it. It may be temporarily in use by another background process or program and cannot delete until that ceases. This can happen from time to time without giving you an error stating so.

 

[Kibaruk]

Restart your computer then try going back and deleting it. It may be temporarily in use by another background process or program and cannot delete until that ceases. This can happen from time to time without giving you an error stating so.

He clearly states that the only way to stop the forever copy is by a restart, so you could always read first.

 

[OutlawCecil]

Some good recommendations from people here! Here's what I do, in order. Start with 1 and work your way down if it's not working.

1. Try an unlocker such as this... http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/unlocker.html
2. Try taking ownership, then delete it again. http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/wind...ership-to-explorer-right-click-menu-in-vista/
3. Try a program that will restart your PC and delete the file before windows fully loads (before an application has a chance to lock it down) http://www.downloadcrew.com/article/31604-reboot_delete_file_ex
4. Worse case scenario, make yourself a bootable CD/USB such as Hiren's or FalconFour, boot into Mini XP or something similar, browse your OS drive and delete the file. This will work 99.999% of the time.

 

[MaXtor]

Follow OutlawCecil's advice. I've been using Unlocker for years and it works 98% of the time. If Unlocker fails, it will even offer to reboot Windows and delete before your desktop loads. Otherwise you'll likely need to access the harddrive from another OS (such as Mini XP as OutlawCecil mentioned).

 

[turismozilla]

I would boot a Linux live system and delete the file Windows won't let me delete. Next Windows boot, Windows would be like... "Oh,man, what happened? I had a file here I was having so much fun with just a couple of minutes ago, where did it go?"

 

[rvnwlfdroid]

Like the last post, personally I always find it easiest to boot to a dos prompt (Hiren's boot cd or something similar) and delete those stubborn files from the dos prompt.

 

[Doctor Gallop]

Check what process is locking this file. I recommend using http://lockhunter.com. If nothing is keeping it locked I recommend doing chkdsk.

If everything else fails, boot into linux live cd and forcefully remove that file.

Thank you, thank you thank you! I downloaded the 'Lockhunter' and it deleted it immediately! It went to the recycling bin and then I restarted my PC....and that "ghost" file was gone! Thank you again, aMerkuri

 

[David Belkin]

Hi, try to boot in safe mode and see if you can delete the file that way.
If everything you try fails to get rid of the file, get a copy of Ubuntu, boot up with it and delete the file using Ubuntu.

 

[Wizwill]

1st set your user profile to Administrator status.
2nd Find file (may be actually in Temp or Downloads)
3rd If file is in a folder, open and delete contents, starting at deepest level, then delete empty file folder
4th check folder attributes. May need to change to allow deletion.

Set the browser to save all downloads to a designated folder to prevent this mess in the future

 

[fktech]

Safe mode.

 

[Thannos]

He clearly states that the only way to stop the forever copy is by a restart, so you could always read first.

I'm sorry, but I didn't see that anywhere in the original question or in any of the responses leading up to my comment.

 

[p51d007]

Sometimes I just say screw it, reboot the computer and whatever locked it, will let go, then it will delete.

 

[Kibaruk]

I'm sorry, but I didn't see that anywhere in the original question or in any of the responses leading up to my comment.

Yeah me neither, I was actually going to suggest the same until I read the rest of the thread =P it's funny though, everyone is saying the same thing over and over again "try unlocker" and then a post below "try unlocker" and then a new post appears "try unlocker" lol.

Sometimes I just say screw it, reboot the computer and whatever locked it, will let go, then it will delete.

He clearly states that the only way to stop the forever copy is by a restart, so you could always read first.

 

[Wincrazy]

Chrome is the nastiest free browser that exits. It runs many programs in the background that suck up system resources without telling you.

That file is probably being used (therefore 'locked') by one of those background processes. Try stopping all of them. You'll need to Google how to do this.

 

[p51d007]

He clearly states that the only way to stop the forever copy is by a restart, so you could always read first.

And you don't have to be an a** either. I have a HUGE head cold and have been fighting an upper respiratory infection most of the week and missed that part.

 

[N.Taylor]

Reboot into safe mode..then try deleting or search the net for 'Take Ownership' script

 

[Kibaruk]

And you don't have to be an a** either. I have a HUGE head cold and have been fighting an upper respiratory infection most of the week and missed that part.

Oh my bad I'm so sorry, had no idea you had a HUGE head cold and have been fighting an upper respiratory infection!! My reply would've been so super totally different if that had been the case...

 

[jimmy.j]

I had this once and it took me many hours and days of research. Finally, I found a really smart poster who sent me to the command prompt ( as administrator ) and worked my way to the directory where I knew the name of the file OR something from the properties ( like date of file) from a rt click and I was able to del / delete the file. Good luck but I think you will solve the issue.

 

[kiwijohn]

I suppose this is a stupid question, but are you operating as administrator?

 

[AllanP]

Being a dual booter with Linux; I just boot to linux and delete it there. You can boot to a Linux USB and do the same.