I'm new to windows xp. How do I delete a file that's being used

by some program, even though I'm not trying to use it.

I thought I had good virus stuff on this new computer.

Anyway I downloaded a file that said it was a dvd rip of a show I wanted to watch, off of Limewire.

The first redflag came when I tried to move it out of the shared folder and it wouldn't let me because it said it was in use, despite Limewire being turned off.

Also my computer started to slow down.

I don't have "adminstrator privledges so I don't think I can enstall any new spyware stuff right now until my dad gets home (I'm at my families house on our new computer) and he opens up the administrators or "owners" account thingy on windows XP.

So any advice on how to delete this file or determine what program is using it?

So the trick is, find the program that's using it, and close that program.

If the program using it is somehow "hidden", making it hard to close, then bring up the Task Manager (by holding down CONTROL and ALT while pressing DELETE, and then clicking on Task Manager). This will show a list of _all_ running Applications, and a (longer) list of Processes (which includes "hidden" applications).

One of these Processes may be the one which is using your file. You can click on a Process and then hit the 'End Process' button.

BUT BE CAREFUL not to end a Process that you really need! If you're not sure, get more help to figure out WHICH Process is using that file.

bunch of processes, like over 25 atleast, and I don't really know what most of them do unless I google them, which I've been doing, for a while. With no luck

a big one

share that file you may need to cut them off before you try to delete it.

several times.

Some other program is using it.

Click the 'Applications' tab and end any programs that are running, then click the 'processes' tab.

This is where you have to be careful. Look at the mem usage, CPU, and Image Name columns and see if Limewire is still listed. If NOT, look for any program that seems 'out of place'. Note that many of these are system applications; your problem app will likely be listed as belonging to your current user.

If all else fails, reboot and repeat, and see if anything is missing. You might also want to boot into safe mode (Hold down F8, I believe, when you hear the 'boot beep').

Good luck! :)

edit: system processes and your own startup applications will be there again after you reboot. This doesn't actually remove the application from your system OR from the system startup; it only ends it until reboot (if the process automatically restarts at each boot), at which point the process will load once again. I'm talking necessary system processes here, NOT the one you're trying to get rid of.

and so few I know of which what they do I don't know what is out of place.

I'm experienced enough to know about task manager. But not enough to know what everything is or does.

BTW is it normal to have CPU usage at 100 percent almost all the time?

You'll find out what each is quite easily.

A great little proggy. Deletes files thsat windows say are in use. I find it very handy. It's called MoveOnBoot. Bellow is a link.

http://www.snapfiles.com/get/moveonboot.html

Sometimes the finger that a program places in a file can be left in place. Here are some things to try.

Try going to a dos command window and deleting it. If that doesn't work try the classic Windows problem resolver: Reboot. If a reboot doesn't resolve the problem try booting in safe mode. If safe mode doesn't do it try finding a program that deletes files on bootup. Check download.com or some such source. These programs will ask what file you want to delete and then they will execute the deletion on the next boot up before any other program has a chance to get it's finger in it.

second I don't know how to get to safe mode.

I've rebooted a couple times to no avail. I also installed and ran spysweeper after I got the owner password (the owner windows XP account thing)

To open a dos window simply click on the start button. There is a command there that says RUN. Click it. Type in CMD and hit the ok button. You are now in a dos window. If you know the directory the file is in type cd and the name of the directory including the path to it. Lets say the directory is in your documents folder under a dir called My Videos.

Example: CD \Documents and Settings\Me\My Documents\My Videos

Once you are in the the directory where the file is type: del video.avi (replacing video with the actual name of the file.

If this doesn't work then you may have to boot up in safe mode simply start tapping the F8 key during the boot process. Eventually a list of options will come up. You want the simplest safe boot mode. Once logged in simply try to delete the file using normal windows methods.

Hello from Germany:
Do exactly, what AZ describes, but before you type "del vido.avi". Open up the task-manager (CTRL-ALT-Delete)then choose Task-Manager. Change to "process" and shoot down the process "explorer.exe". Let the taskmanager run and NOW enter the "del video.avi" command. This will work.
Go back to the taskmanager, change to programms and under "start new programm/task" type in "explorer.exe".

As long as the explorer runs, it will not allow you to delete the file.
What did happen to you is that a file was used in a windows-programm and although the programm was shut down, it "forgot" to tell the file that it isn't used anymore.

Dirk

The program using it might let it go (if it's Explorer, it certainly will).

Download the Process Explorer for your version at:
http://www.sysinternals.com/ntw2k/freeware/procexp.shtml
Start it.

Then select "search handle" and enter the name of the "file in use". It will then display the responsible application. (you can either close the application or use the "close handle" function. Closing the application is preferable.)

You can get to Safe Mode by keying F8 while the boot process is happening (sometimes F8 is used for boot device selection, so if that appears, just select your hard drive, then hit F8 again when the menu disappears).

delete it if the little info window is open. Stupid move on M$'s part, but try switch to list mode.

reboot delete