Which process has locked the file I am trying to delete?

[grofaty]

Hi,

I was trying to delete the file with Windows Explorer, but I got message: "Cannot delete xxx: It is being used by another person or program. Close any programs that might be using the file and try again."

Is there any way to see which process has locked the file, so I could kill the process and then delete the file?

Is there any freeware tool to see locked files by processes?

Thanks,
Grofaty

 

[who235]

Try Process Explorer from Sysinternals.

http://www.sysinternals.com/Utilities/ProcessExplorer.html

I think it's exactly what you need.

 

[bcastner]

See:

http://aumha.org/a/stubborn.htm

In particular, the freeware utiities at the end of the article.

Admitted bias: I helped to create this page.

Best,
Bill Castner

 

[linney]

Handle" from

http://www.sysinternals.com/ProcessesAndThreadsUtilities.html

is another program which can help you. After running the program, you just use the Edit/Find facilities in the output DOS window to locate the Process by searching for the undeletable filename.

"Access Denied" Error Message When You Try to Delete a File

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;298345&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

 

[grofaty]

Hi,
thanks to you all. I have tested the solutions from who235 and linney.
who235: In Process Explorer | Find | Find Handle | filename - returs the result program
linney: command: "handle path_with_file_name" returs the result program

I didn't tested the bcaster solution, because I don't have a virus problem, but I have bookmarket this page so when I will have a virus problem I will read it through.

Thanks all of you for making my life easyer.
Grofaty