Hi. I've got Windows XP Home Edition on one of my PCs and since the last upgrades, I've not been able to delete files without changing the properties or attributes.

Now, after downloading a file for a correspondence course, and wanting to delete the *.exe file that is just a self-extracting zipped file of reading material- and even after changing the properties I STILL CANNOT DELETE IT. The file is from a government site, an ACCP - the Army Correspondence Cource Program.

Does anyone have any suggestions outside of formatting my entire harddrive?

What can I do to prevent this in the future?

NeedKarma

When you try to delete it what message do you get that let's you know you can't?

Chery

It tells me the file is 'protected' even after I change the attributes and properties. I use a different file commander that is better than the dumb Microsoft explorer type file manager. I even tried to delete it with the DOS prompt and checked the attrib as well - this said 'access denied'.

Hope someone can help.

I hate not having control....

cajalat

There is a chance that the file is still open. Use this utility or this utility to see which program has it opened and close that program.

Chery

The programs you provided links for did help me in getting rid of some, but, unfortunately, not this particular one.

It seems that this file has embedded itself and is not willing to go, no matter what.

Has anything like this evey happened to anyone else?

At my wits' end on this one.

shunned

Maybe the makers of the program have a removal tool for it.
Yes, I have heard of files not letting go before. I understand that some windows updates are non-removable.

Northwind_Dagas

Have you tried booting into safe mode and removing the file? If a program is locking access to the file, it may not startup in safe mode, and you can possibly remove it.

ScottGem

Shunned made a good suggestion. You can also check to make sure the file is not loaded in your startup. Or try booting to Safe Mode and then try deleting it.

StuMegu

I would also try doing a full checkdisk scan on that drive, this may resolve any problems caused due to corruption.

Chery

Thanks so much for the responses. This is an *.exe file that has zipped *.dot files in it. I downloaded from ACCP Army Correspondence Course Program, and I've tried in Safe Mode now too, but it does not want to go.. When I try to delete it in DOS mode, I get an 'Access Denied' and when using Total Commander, which I use a lot, I'm told that the file is 'Protected'. I've even tried to 'move' the entire directory in which the file is located - and am not allowed to due to this one file. I've never had something this stubborn happen to me, and it really makes me angry. I've also changed the attributes on this thing so often.. I have not used the file, Word, or anything associated with the ACCP site after restarting my PC, and still the same.

Boy, when we figure a way to get rid of this one, I can say that I've beat some real 'doozy!