Why can't I delete this file?

Read the article that everyone's commenting on.
Subscribe to the RSS Feed for comments on this article.

My friend opened an e-mail on my computer with an attachment that led him to a web site that gave me a permenent virus. I now have files in C:\Documents and Settings\andersong\Local Settings\Temp, there are a bunch I can't delete: ~efd3d2, ~f1d055, ~de46a7, ~df394b, ~efe2. It does not allow me to delete the files, it says "make sure the disk is not full or write-protected and that the file is not currently in use" I am not using it that i know of and i have no idea what the rest means. Please help.

Greg

You didn't indicate what version of Windows you're running. If possible, reboot into "safe mode" and you may be able to delete the files. *Definitely* get and run a anti-virus program asap.

Good luck,

Leo

A little trick I use to delete files is:

Go into Microsoft Word (yes the word processor) and click then go into the file type and select . Now browse to the files you want to get rid of and delete away. I do not know why this works. But it does.

Enjoy!

I tried this but it didn't work for me I think I have a very special problem....
once I moved downloaded files to another folder, one staid behind so I tried to move it again, than delete it and what I got was 'can not delete the file, this file does not exist.
I tried the tricks and fallowed the links but the file didn't go away. I find it anoying to have an invalid file there that does nothing and won't go away

I'm having a major problem uninstalling limewire. It will not uninstall from add/remove programs..it just terminates while the unin. is just loading up. Also, when you look at the file size of the installer, its like 4,277 MB.
Very strange.

I'd head out to limewire.org and see if they have support resources that may help.

i have the same problem that the uninstall for LW stops before it really does anything; i had to just delete the .msi + setup.exe files (both ~5MB) as i had a problem w malware at the time. now i want to reinstall it + get error mssg 1714 - older version of LW installed????
have searched for files called lime* + nil shows; have deleted 2 HLKM\\\uninstall keys relating to LW - no joy.
as it's the free verison there is NO online/mail suport from LW.org

My sister was using my laptop and accepted a file from a friend. The file happens to be "alyssa's pix.exe" and I can't seem to delete it using your method. This "scary" picture shows up every hour or so... it's getting on my nerves. Any other ideas?

I'd run a virus scan and a spyware scan right away.

As i was passing by, looking for a file deleter, ive seen several problems where users are missing quite an obvious aspect of computing. So i took pity! 0.o

MSconfig - One of the most valuable tools microsoft made :P

Start > Run > Type msconfig

A window will appear, providing you are running windows 98/2000/ME/XP

This tool configures the startup of Windows, and what programs and/or applications start up. Not only can this solve some of your problems, it can speed up your PC greatly!

When in this window, which can vary slightly, from version to version of windows, go to startup, and uncheck any boxes which look suspect. These files will then not startup again.

This will definatly solve Catrinas problem, and posibly some virus problems. BUT definatly get a virus scanner. Also when files you think are not in use, but the message "Make sure the disk is not full or write-protected and that the file is not currently in use" this can be when files are running from startup, so uncheck these files in msconfig.

Be VERY careful when using msconfig, because if you uncheck the wrong things, you may have startup problems. To find out whats safe and whats not, please feel free to contact me on phreek_of_nature@hotmail.com

Just as a little disclaimer here, im not responsible for misuse of msconfig, its just a help suggestions, i advise you use it with care, and if your not so hot with such things, an experienced computing friend.

~Phreek
P.s Before some UbER Haxxor comes along and starts ripping it out of me for being a n00b, im not; just trying to help someone, which im sure is more than what i can say about you!

To post a comment on "Why can't I delete this file?", please return to that article's main page.