Okay so..help? File in use in Off Topic

ID:184385
 
Oct 10 2006, 2:55 pm
Okay, so theres this file, on my computer. It was going to be some joke graphic file, and I made it using Paint. I saved it as a .png and when saving, Paint froze for some reason. So I exited paint via the task manager, and then the file is still on my desktop. So I go to click it, and delete it, but it says this file is in use, you cannot delete it. (Or something like that). So, I restarted my computer, and now, all the icons on my desktop are screwed up, they don't show as if they aren't recognized, and I STILL can't delete the file.

How can I find out where a file is being used in a program? Or how can I fix this?


-Doh
#1 Oct 10 2006, 2:57 pm
Well, I would try closing down all un-needed programs in the task manager's process tab. Be careful of what you close though, then try deleting the file. If that doesn't work, boot your PC up in safe mode and try to delete it..
#2 Oct 10 2006, 3:08 pm
In response to Govan (#1)
Do it in safe mode first. It's easier becasue it shuts down all unneeded processes without also crippling your computer (that's why they call it safe mode =P).
#3 Oct 10 2006, 3:14 pm
In response to Elation (#2)
Rofl. I guess I forgot that most people don't know what they can and can't close down. -Smacks his forehead- Lil' nerds like me need to experience being a normal PC user..>.>
#4 Oct 10 2006, 3:41 pm
In response to Govan (#3)
Bleh, it doesn't matter. I tried both, and it still doesn't work.
#5 Oct 10 2006, 3:49 pm
In response to XxDohxX (#4)
You can do it the olden way, get into Command Prompt and use the delete within it, though the only way I remember getting to it before the OS loaded was via Windows 98 Bootdisk >_>

- GhostAnime
#6 Oct 10 2006, 4:56 pm
In response to GhostAnime (#5)
If nothing else you can just system restore... assuming you have a save point sometime in the near past.
#7 Oct 10 2006, 5:26 pm
In response to Spire8989 (#6)
Nah, don't have that either. So far nothing is working. :-\

Help appreciated.
#8 Oct 10 2006, 5:39 pm
In response to XxDohxX (#7)
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/228930 - How to replace currently locked files with Inuse.exe
#9 Oct 10 2006, 5:59 pm
In response to Jon88 (#8)
I can't find a working download of it for XP. I searched using Google, nothing though. Any help?
#10 Oct 10 2006, 6:03 pm
In response to XxDohxX (#9)
#11 Oct 10 2006, 6:05 pm
In response to CaptFalcon33035 (#10)
Wow! Thanks so much! It worked, so easily also. Thanks alot, appreciate it.