Force Deleting a file...

[lightbulb8817]

Hi,
I'm having problems deleting a file called "steaminstall_cs.exe"

When i try to delete the file, i get this:
Error copying file or folder- Cannot copy steaminstall_cs: It is being used by another person or program. Close any programs that might be using the file and try again.

I even tried going into safe mode to delete the file, but that didn't work either.

I'm using windows xp pro.

Are there any programs that force delete a file??? Is there a command I can put into the cmd prompt to delete the file?

Any idea how to fix this?

Thanks!

[commanderkeen]

Sometimes you can find the program in the task manager and end it that way. Then you should be able to delete it. Hope this helps...

[Miz]

Turning off XP's Indexing service usually resolves this problem.

Control Panel>Administrative Tools>Services, double click on Indexing, set the start up type to Disabled and click the Stop button to stop the service without having to reboot. Then try deleting the file again.

[njdevs95]

Sometimes I can get around this by deleting another file with the offending file at the same time. I just copy a random file highlight both and delete, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.

[lightbulb8817]

Thanks everyone, I finally deleted those stubborn files.

I rebooted, press F8, selected safe mode with CMD. Once in the cmd window, I typed cd desktop, dir, del steaminstall_cs.exe.

I also deleted the same stubborn file in my documents.

[Kernel Panic]

Nothing like lingering DRM software on your computer to drive you nuts.

[Miz]

Turning off XP's Indexing service usually solves the "undeletable file" problem.

Control Panel>Administrative Tools>Services>double click Indexing. Set the start up type as Disabled and click the Stop button to stop the service without having to reboot.

I always turn that service, along with a number of others, off.