Deleting WMV Files

[Divergent Species]

I will occassionally download short video clips and after viewing them with WM8 try to delete them. The system (XP Home) says files are in use by another program and will not let me delete them, even after a reboot. I can successfully delete them after a reboot via use of the C: prompt command interface.

Can someone tell me how to avoid this or work around this as it is an annoyance?

[fink]

Have a look in task manager and see if WMP or any other program related to videos is running and then end task on it. Also try clearing temp internet files although that shouldn't have any effect on deleting the wmv files (worth trying though).

[Divergent Species]

Thanks Fink. You would think that any Task or Service started by viewing the file would be cleared by the reboot, allowing a deletion immediately after a reboot. However, the file remains "in use" to XP even after a reboot. It is only by going through the command prompt immediately after reboot that I can delete the file.

This defies my simple logic. Where is Spock when we need him...;)

[NoBoB]

Sometimes, it's Windows Explorer itself that's the culprit. Clicking on the file to select it for deleting also activates the preview, if your system is set to do so, and that can be the process that's "using" the file.

Try placing an empty text file in the folder with the offending video file. Select the text file first, then select the video file with it using your preferred method to select multiple files (some like to "draw" a box around them with the mouse which selects everything in the box, others just use the 'hold-Ctrl-and-click' method; either is fine). That should release the preview. Then try to delete both files.

[fink]

Is it any type of video file or just one extension?

Things I'd try..

save them to a different folder

use the del key rather than right click/delete (or vice-versa)

change the extension on them to .old

see if they've been made read only

Hold the shift key while you delete them (to bypass recycle bin.. worth a try)


EDIT- Nobobs idea about preview is a good one.

[Divergent Species]

NoBoB, I have tried deleting mulitple WMV files at the same time, which should turn-off the Explorer preview, but no luck. BTW, the folder view options do have preview enabled.

Fink, I never answered your temp file question and I do empty these almost every time I am on the computer. I will try your alternative delete suggestions and see if they work.

This is one of those nagging problems that causes one to spend hours trying to find the solution even though one has a workaround...:D

[fink]

Have you had a look at this MS page about not being able to delete files in general?

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


In the meantime here's a little program that might save some time and aggravation deleting those files.

http://www.softwarepatch.com/software/moveonboot.html

It will automatically delete them on the next boot without having to run DOS commands.

[Divergent Species]

Interesting read - thanks for the links. I am at the office now and will check the suggestions when I get home. Also, I cannot remember if the partition is FAT32 or NTFS as it is on an external drive attached via a USB2 port, which should not matter, but you never know.

[Spooky Man G]

I have that problem constantly. Always for some reason, even after I close WMP, the stupid thing still stays in memory. I 3 finger salute and end task on WMP. If that doesnt work, I end task explorer, then file, run, type in explorer, that usually works. If not, time is the answer, you just have to fight the good fight to windows. Eventually, you'll succeed.

[NoBoB]

Originally posted by Divergent Species
NoBoB, I have tried deleting mulitple WMV files at the same time, which should turn-off the Explorer preview... Well, you should be able to delete them too :D