Delete - access denied after compressing folders 1

[holte]

Subject: Unable to delete files & folders from Win2KPro NTFS
I have roughly 7 GB of files on my laptop HD that I can't delete. When I
attempt to delete any of these files or folders I receive the message
"Cannot delete xxxxxxxx.xxx: Access is denied. The source file may be in
use."

All files are located in two different folders and subfolders.

1) With one folder this began happening afer I had compressed it &
subfolders (6.7GB in 67,681 files in 6,236 folders). I noticed that some
files were not compressed, and these would delete but all that were
compressed would not. I tried uncompressing the remaining files, but only
received the message "An errr occurred applying attributes to the file:
c:\xxxx\xxxx.xxx Access is denied." I have checked that I have full
rights to these folders & files. When I try deleting the files I receive
the message "Cannot delete xxxxxxxx.xxx: Access is denied. The source file
may be in use." I found it a bit strange that some files were compressed
while others were not, and was thinking that the compression processess
might have been cancelled prior to completion. Even if this was the case,
why are the compressed files 'untouchable'?

2) With the other top-level folder (244MB in 35,987 files in 252 folders)
the files have not been compressed. When I try deleting a file I receive
the message "Cannot delete xxxxxxxx.xxx: Access is denied. The source file
may be in use." I have also checked and verified that I have full rights to
these files.


I have tried booting into safe mode and deleting the files without any luck.
I've also tried searching for these error messages but did not find anything
relevant.

Any thoughts on how to resolve?

Thanks.

 

[kippy13]

Hi,
There are a few possibilities here,
Firstly what are the files that are getting the error message from? Are they general documents or otherwise?
Its possible some programme is using the files and hence u are getting the access denied error.
If this is the case then these are more than likely system files and cannot be deleted.
If this is not the case can u delete them from the recovery console?
JP

 

[bcastner]

A good troubleshooter:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en;320081

A truely wonderful little freeware utility that can often save the day: "DelLater" allows you to schedule the deletion as a boot time process. By deleting the file at this point during startup you are assured that no process is using the file:

http://www.diamondcs.com.au/index.php?page=dellaterrocessutil.htm

 

[kippy13]

Thanks for that application bcastner, it looks very handy!

 

[holte]

Thanks guys, I'll get my user (out of Province) to try these suggestions. I'll keep you posted of our progress

Jason

 

[bcastner]

This is a more direct download link to the "DelLater" freeware utility:

http://www.diamondcs.com.au/index.php?page=dellater

 

[holte]

Thanks bcastner, I didn't see it in your origianal so I just did a search VIA Google. Got it and have sent the link to the user

 

[bcastner]

They keep re-arranging the pages on that site! I checked again and my second post should get your directly there.

By the way, it is a very nifty little utility to keep in your toolset.

 

[holte]

Already downloaded and saved in a Utilities folder. Thanks buddy

Jas

 

[bcastner]

You are most welcome.
Hope it helps.

In the interest of completeness:

. Bring up a CMD Session. (Start, Run, CMD)
. Ctrl-Alt-Delete to bring up Task Manager (there are several ways to do this, including clicking the Task Bar, or Ctrl-Alt-Esc)
. kill the process "explorer.exe"
. In the CMD session, CD to the directory level containing the folder.
. rd /s/q folder name
. (You can also do this command without a CMD session by using in Task Manager the File, New task applet.)
. In Task Manager, File, New task, explorer.exe
This restores your desktop

This will work 78% of the time.

 

[kippy13]

Just a quick one: Where did you come up with 78%?

 

[bcastner]

I made it up. That is roughly a guess of how often killing explorer.exe and then doing a delete with File, New Task works under Task Manager.

But, a guess.

You can get to 100% if you can identify the underlying process that is "using" the files. For this I call on utilities called "Process Explorers" to identify which process has a file open or lock asserted. Two excellent freeware process explorers in my Toolkit:

http://www.sysinternals.com/ntw2k/freeware/procexp.shtml

By the way, spend some time at the sysinternals site, as there are several incredibly good freeware utilities there.

http://www.beyondlogic.org/consulting/processutil/processutil.htm

 

[kippy13]

Thanks Bcastner.
I admire the way u take time out to explain things fully.
JP

 

[bcastner]

You are most welcome kippy13.

I believe in "users helping users", and while I use a lot of online resources and printed material in researching topics of interest, I "stand on the shoulders of giants" from the very specific advice and hints I have read in this Forum, other similar Forums, and Newsgroup postings by users.

I have noticed your user tag more and more. Let me extend a belated "Welcome to Tek-Tips" and congratulate you for your efforts to help others.

Best wishes for the Holidays,
Bill Castner

 

[holte]

Fixed....
Although it appeard that he had rights to all files, he explicitly removed, then once again added his user with full rights to the top level folder that he wanted to delete. He clicked on 'advanced' and checked 'reset permissions on all child objects...'. After that he was able to delete the files.
What we find strange is that these files were originally placed on disk by him, and he never messed at all with permissions.
Crazy!!!

 

[holte]

Would you guys like me to get you a room?? LOL sorry, couldn't resist

Jas

 

[bcastner]

Sheesh, holte.

Merry Christmas to you, by the way.
Bill

 

[holte]

Ah, you have to admit, it was funny.

Thanks for all you help guys, Have a great Christmas!!

Holte

 

[Lexus1555]

I have another question that's related to this:

I'm using Windows 98 (I know, I know, I'm sorry) and sometimes when I'm downloading files from Kazaa, and I want to delete the file (aka porn), a message will pop up saying: "Cannot Delete File: Access is Denied." Then in a paragraph under that, it'll say: "Make sure the disk is not full or write-protected and that the file is not currently in use." It's none of those options either.

Why does it do this? It's very irritating. Any advice on how to remove the offending file?

Thanks,
Nick
San Diego, CA