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cannot delete a desktop executable file

Discussion in 'Windows XP' started by farnout, 2006/05/24.

  1. 2006/05/24
    farnout

    farnout Inactive Thread Starter

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    hi. i have an executable (install) file on my desktop that just will not go away. it is an application that is already installed, so as far as i can tell, i do not need it anymore. there is, however, just one problem. the file will not go away, no matter how many times i tell windows to delete it. same message-can't delete file, in use by another program or user--or something to this effect. can anyone suggest a way to solve this problem? thanks ahead of time.
     
    farnout,
    #1
  2. 2006/05/24
    TonyT

    TonyT SuperGeek Staff

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    delete all the files in c/documents & settings/your username/local settings/temp/ or go to start/prpograms/accessories/system tools/disk cleanup & put a check next to temporary files & nothing else.
     
    TonyT,
    #2


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  4. 2006/05/24
    markp62

    markp62 Geek Member Alumni

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    Get MoveOnBoot, and install. Then just right click the file, and choose 'delete file(s) on next boot', when done, reboot.
     
    markp62,
    #3
  5. 2006/05/24
    psuedo

    psuedo Inactive

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    It sounds like a process is actually using the exe file to me.. are you sure if you delete it the program you installed will continue to work??

    Have a look in your taskmanager and see if the exe file is listed under the processes tab/
     
    psuedo,
    #4
  6. 2006/05/25
    bluzkat

    bluzkat Inactive

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    You might want to try to 'move' it from the desktop to another folder and see if your program still works. If it does... the MoveOnBoot program that Mark mentioned in an earlier post works very well. For the future, set up a 'Download' folder on your hard drive and keep all downloaded programs in it (I find it a better option than the desktop). Then if you need to re-install something you know where the program is. :D HTH

    B :cool:

    p.s. Welcome to the BBS !!
     
    bluzkat,
    #5
  7. 2006/05/25
    TonyT

    TonyT SuperGeek Staff

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    When one downloads an installer to any directory and executes it, the installer will often use the system temporary directory during the install. The temp dir file(s) are now tied to the installer that was downloaded and are considered "in use" by Windows.

    Not all installers work this way, but most do. So, to delete the installer either logoff-logon, or reboot, or delete the temp dir files & then delete the installer.

    Sometimes, after an installler runs one of its processes does not terminate completely. So one may only need to use task manager to kill the process prior to deleting the installer.
     
    TonyT,
    #6
  8. 2006/05/25
    farnout

    farnout Inactive Thread Starter

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    appreciate many suggestions

    thanks for all the suggestions - i tried moveonboot, and it did the trick.
     
    farnout,
    #7

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