Cannot Delete Windows Image VHD File

[MesaMarshall]

Hello, I cannot delete the VHD file that is included with the windows system image portion of a windows 7 backup. It keeps saying that the file is in use by another process.

I have made sure by using process explorer that nothing on the system is reading or writing to the file, and I have ownership of the folder and the files underneath it.

So I am a bit perplexed on why I cannot delete it. Any ideas?

Thanks in advance!


-Mesa

 

[linney]

Anything here? Are you trying to delete it manually or through the Backup program?

Windows 7 - Backup User and System Files - Delete Backups

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/628-backup-user-system-files-delete-backups.html

how can I completely delete backup system image from my hard drive

http://social.answers.microsoft.com...e/thread/349ee968-75b5-4dda-a8a3-a7c583f25007

http://www.google.com/search?source...+from+backup+"windows+7"&gfns=1&client=ie9-lb

 

[Turkbear]

Hi,
Are you sure that it is not a Virtual Hard Drive ( 7 creates those and you can even boot from them.)

See this article about those .VHD files:

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/567-virtual-hard-disk-unattach-delete-vhd.html

To Paraphrase:"The Help you get is proportional to the Help you give.."

 

[MesaMarshall]

hi thanks for the quick posts. I viewed those forums before I posted here. within Windows backup, it will not allow me to modify anything with my exisiting backup, like unchecking folders to backup, or to turn on or turn off backing up a system image.

Anytime I attempt to delete the VHD it says its in use by another process. Even if I take the drive and hook it up to another computer.

So I am thinking maybe the folder/files got corrupted somehow?


-Mesa

 

[linney]

Try running ChkDsk to check your drive for errors. Right-click your Drive icon/ Properties/ Tools/ Error Checking. Try it first by not checking either box (this will run it in a Read-only mode) to see if it flags any hard drive or file problems. If it does, restart it by ticking both boxes, and rerun it to allow it to attempt to fix any found problems.



This is a Vista related post but it might offer you a few clues to try in Windows 7 too.

Can't delete C:\BACKUP
thread1583-1526188

A program like this might tell you what is holding on to the .vhd.

Process Monitor v2.8

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-au/sysinternals/bb896645.aspx

Is formatting the drive an option?

I don't use Windows Backup, I prefer the more reliable third party options.

Terabyte Unlimited

http://www.terabyteunlimited.com/prodgrid.html

http://www.terabyteunlimited.com/image-for-windows.htm

Others prefer this software.

Acronis True Image 10 Home

http://www.acronis.com/homecomputing/products/trueimage/

Backup forum

Backup – Windows and Windows Server

http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/windowsbackup/threads

 

[MesaMarshall]

Well, all in all it was the server I was saving my backup to. I had to reboot my file server over the weekend because of a planned facility power outage, and when I brought it back up; I could delete them.

Oh well, thanks for the advice everyone.


-Mesa