Force a file delete 6

[keithinoz]

XP pro sp3 I recently found one of my backup programs (instaback) was using up too much disk space for its backup data. When I tried to delete some of the older files I was refused with a message saying that the files were protected. I have removed the program, checked permissions (it's a stand alone laptop)and tried to delete in safe mode.

What I want to know if anyone knows how to force a file delete using any type of method. I had thought about the old dos methods but are they still available.

As a matter of interest some of the files have no extensions

 

[kjv1611]

Have you looked at the properties on said files, and unchecked the "Read Only" box, if it's checked? Sometimes that's all that's needed.

Other times, a particular process may be using them. Another option would be to start in Safe Mode, and delete them that way. Also, you may be able to find any processes related to your back-up program, kill the processes, and then delete the files.

Also, make SURE these are not files that are important to your program or else you may end up reinstalling it - which I suppose shouldn't be a big deal anyway. Are you sure these aren't some sort of settings/configuration files?

--

"If to err is human, then I must be some kind of human!" -Me

 

[kjv1611]

If none of those options work, and you're sure you want to delete the files, then there are some other options:

1. Programs like WhoLockMe (and others that I can't remember the names to at the moment) are "unlocker" programs, or at least will show you what process is lockign a file - they don't all work as advertised, though, so keep that in mind. I usually forget about them, b/c I end up handling things easier oftentimes with the prior mentioned solutions.

2. Booting from a LiveCD of Linux, or a Bart PE environment disk, or any other bootable OS, and then finding the files and deleting them. This takes Windows and ANY processes out of the picture altogether, b/c Windows never loads.

--

"If to err is human, then I must be some kind of human!" -Me

 

[2ffat]

You may want to try to "unlock" the file before deleting it. Try something like File and Folder Unlocker.


James P. Cottingham
[sup]I'm number 1,229!
I'm number 1,229![/sup]

 

[macpcrepair]

Download the Puppy Linux iso and create a bootable CD.

http://distro.ibiblio.org/pub/linux/distributions/puppylinux/puppy-4.3.1/pup-431.iso

Boot to the CD and delete the file.

 

[keithinoz]

Thanks for your suggestions. The unlockers didn't work but the Puppy Linux one worked like a dose of Epsom Salts. All the files have gone.

Extra thanks to macpcrepair

 

[keithinoz]

Whoops spoke too soon. The Linux idea got rid of about 1/2 the pile. The rest are giveing me "error: read-only file system" All the reamining files have "r" permissions and are owned by the root

 

[hairlessupportmonkey]

you could try the latest Hirens Boot CD (with a windows live CD in it now) or a Bart PE boot CD and use it to take ownership of the files / folders that way, then you can delete them at will.

This method will also allow you to use windows native NTFS on another NTFS drive.

 

[kjv1611]

Yeah, that is the problem, usually when working on a Windows drive with a Linus liveCD.

There are ways within Linux to get around the read-only permissions in Windows, I believe. I know once years ago, I recovered my own laptop using Linux. I had someone give me the right keywords to go searching the web for a Linux solution. It worked like a charm - of course, read only would have been fine for that scnerio - but before I took the steps I could, I couldn't even see the individual files.

Anyway, what you could look for for better info, I think, would be ways to mount NTFS drives within Linux, and go from there..

--

"If to err is human, then I must be some kind of human!" -Me

 

[melmitts]

I have found this one to be very reliable...

http://www.malwarebytes.org/fileassassin.php

It is free!

 

[kjv1611]

Very cool! Thanks, melmitts, for that reference. I don't recall hearing about that one yet, and it's by a VERY well respected name, currently, in regards to their Anti-Malware software. I'll have to create some problems some time just to try it out!

--

"If to err is human, then I must be some kind of human!" -Me

 

[keithinoz]

Fileassassin is working. Can I get a bit more help? Using the dialogue box only deleted one file at a time. I used the command c:\program files\fileassassin\fileassassin.exe /assassinate c:\recycler\nprotect\*.* but it does not like that.

 

[Freestone]

I tested this on another directory. Hopefully it'll work for you.

From a command prompt:

for %i in (c:\recycler\nprotect\*.*) do "C:\Program Files\FileASSASSIN\FileASSASSIN.exe" /assassinate /silent %i

 

[ANFPS26]

Thanks, melmitts for that link to Fileassassin. I'd been looking for a simple program like that. I learn something almost every time I come to Tek-Tips.

I used to be pretty active here. Check out my stats. Technology has been passing me by, so I'm not as active as I used to be.

Jim

 

[melmitts]

I had a McAfee "secure" file that i tried every program I could find for over 3 months to remove but always failed. Then I found FileAssassin...

Glad to hear it helped you also.

Mel

 

[keithinoz]

I tried the comand line. I am not quite sure what happened but I still have about 4500 files left. ALmost all have no extensions.

I contacted malewarebytes support and they are having a think about it as well.

I downloaded the Hiren boot cd and found a lot of dos programs which I could use. My only problem was that I could get access to my hard drive files. I tried every letter of the alphabet. I could recognise my floppy and the boot cd rom and the ramdrive only? Any suggestions

 

[melmitts]

At this point, I would refer back to macpcrepair's advice. Puppy Linux or Damn Small Linux. Boot it as a Linux box, delete the files you want to and reboot...

Mel

 

[goombawaho]

Bart PE is likely an easier interface for someone to use than the linux cds.

http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/

Boot up to the CD's O.S. and run A43 File Management utility (like explorer) and go to the file and whack it.

 

[keithinoz]

I tried the Puppy Linux and it removed about 50% of the files. I was able to manually remove another 1000 or so but was left with 4900 files all of which have no extension.

I loaded the BartPE but could not budge any files.

A few days I asked
"I downloaded the Hiren boot cd and found a lot of dos programs which I could use. My only problem was that I could get access to my hard drive files. I tried every letter of the alphabet. I could recognise my floppy and the boot cd rom and the ramdrive only? Any suggestions"
Can anyone help there?

 

[hairlessupportmonkey]

there is a windows boot CD on the hirens boot CD that will allow you access to many of the "DOS" based tools and also a windows based versaion of many of them too.