Deleting files that won't delete?

JohnJSal · 05-02-2008, 01:12 AM

Hi all. I'm trying to clear up as much space as possible on my Windows install so I can then install Linux. But there are three files that refuse to be deleted. I get an "access denied" error. They are located in the Application Data/Apple Computer folder. Inside there, there are three separate iTunes folders, each with a 75MB quicktime installer .msi file. These are the files I can't remove.

I even tried a tip from a magazine, which was to open a command prompt, then close the task "explorer.exe", then do a DEL command, but I still got an access denied error. As far as I can tell, nothing Apple-related is running, and these are just installers anyway.

Any tips on how to remove them?

Thanks!

**The_Other_One** · 05-02-2008, 01:18 AM

The main thing you need to do is get out of windows... Perhaps the easiest way would be booting to something like a Linux LiveCD, BartPE, or something of that nature and deleting it through there. Safemode may even work...

houssam_ballout · 05-02-2008, 09:54 AM

Try to go to safe mode, then delete the files from there
but 75MB are nothing if you want to install Linux,
or use the_other_one suggestion, to use LiveCD

JohnJSal · 05-02-2008, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by houssam_ballout

Try to go to safe mode, then delete the files from there
but 75MB are nothing if you want to install Linux,
or use the_other_one suggestion, to use LiveCD

I'll try safe mode tonight, but yeah, it's not a lot of space, just annoying that it won't go away. Even after I install Linux and then manage to delete them, it will just be a little extra space on the Windows partition. No huge deal, just one of those things I want control over.

Calibretto · 05-02-2008, 01:19 PM

Safe Mode will let you delete it garaunteed. Usually you press F8 at startup to bring up boot options and then select Safe Mode.

mep916 · 05-02-2008, 05:42 PM

Try taking ownership of the folder. Normally it takes a lot of steps, but I found a registry edit awhile back that adds the "Take Ownership" option to the shell (Right-Click Menu).

Download and unzip the package. You'll receive two files: An install file and a removal file - Run the install file. When prompted, accept the registry change. Then right click the folder you want to remove and click "Take Ownership." Click "Allow" (or nothing, if UAC is disabled), then try to delete the folder.

tlarkin · 05-02-2008, 06:09 PM

change ownership of the file to your account then delete it

Knightsman · 05-02-2008, 08:43 PM

You can try a program called Unlocker I have had it on my computer for about 2 years now. Should fix your problem.

http://www.snapfiles.com/get/Unlocker.html

JohnJSal · 05-03-2008, 05:13 PM

Well, Safe Mode didn't work. I still got the "Access Denied" error. I'll try the take ownership method next.

EDIT: Nope, ownership didn't work either. Same error message.

EDIT2: Unlocker worked! Strangely, it showed that the files weren't being locked by any other processes, but it was still able to force a delete! Awesome program! Thanks!

mep916 · 05-03-2008, 06:04 PM

Yeah, I've heard unlocker is a great program. Glad you got it sorted.

05-02-2008, 01:12 AM	#1 (permalink)
JohnJSal Platinum Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Hoboken, NJ Age: 28 Posts: 519	Deleting files that won't delete? Hi all. I'm trying to clear up as much space as possible on my Windows install so I can then install Linux. But there are three files that refuse to be deleted. I get an "access denied" error. They are located in the Application Data/Apple Computer folder. Inside there, there are three separate iTunes folders, each with a 75MB quicktime installer .msi file. These are the files I can't remove. I even tried a tip from a magazine, which was to open a command prompt, then close the task "explorer.exe", then do a DEL command, but I still got an access denied error. As far as I can tell, nothing Apple-related is running, and these are just installers anyway. Any tips on how to remove them? Thanks! __________________ Case: Antec P182 Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-EX38-DS4 CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 @ 3.00GHz GPU: EVGA GeForce 8800GT (512MB) RAM: Kingston ValueRAM (1GB x 2) Sound: Creative SoundBlaster X-Fi Xtremegamer / Logitech X-230 HDD: Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 (500GB) Optical: Samsung 20x DVD burner PSU: Corsair HX620 Monitor: LG 22" L226WTQ-BF

05-02-2008, 01:18 AM	#2 (permalink)
The_Other_One Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Lexington, NC Age: 23 Posts: 12,188	The main thing you need to do is get out of windows... Perhaps the easiest way would be booting to something like a Linux LiveCD, BartPE, or something of that nature and deleting it through there. Safemode may even work... __________________ Urban De-Development * Athlon X2 4200 \| 2048M RAM \| 160G HD \| 7600GT * C2D T5250 \| 2048M RAM \| 160G HD \| Intel x3100 * G4 1.33GHz \| 512M RAM \| 40G HD \| Radeon 9200

05-02-2008, 09:54 AM	#3 (permalink)
houssam_ballout Platinum Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: here Age: 22 Posts: 996	Try to go to safe mode, then delete the files from there but 75MB are nothing if you want to install Linux, or use the_other_one suggestion, to use LiveCD __________________ TechNoloGy ConTrols tHe World AnD I conTroL the TecHnOl0gy Gue$s WhO @m i. HehEhehee :confused:

05-02-2008, 01:19 PM	#5 (permalink)
Calibretto Diamond Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Indiana, USA Age: 18 Posts: 1,710	Safe Mode will let you delete it garaunteed. Usually you press F8 at startup to bring up boot options and then select Safe Mode. __________________ Cooler Master Elite 330 Case \| AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+ \| 1.5GB PC3200 RAM \| XFX GeForce 7900GT Member of the CoD4 [CF]Clan, Join and be a member! 01000011011000010110110001101001011000100111001001 100101011101000111010001101111 43 61 6C 69 62 72 65 74 74 6F

05-02-2008, 05:42 PM	#6 (permalink)
mep916 VIP Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Sacramento Age: 28 Posts: 2,976	Try taking ownership of the folder. Normally it takes a lot of steps, but I found a registry edit awhile back that adds the "Take Ownership" option to the shell (Right-Click Menu). Download and unzip the package. You'll receive two files: An install file and a removal file - Run the install file. When prompted, accept the registry change. Then right click the folder you want to remove and click "Take Ownership." Click "Allow" (or nothing, if UAC is disabled), then try to delete the folder. __________________ Q6600 (B3) @ 2.4 GHz Zalman CNPS9700 Gigabyte EX38 DS4 ASUS Radeon 3870 X2 4GB Ballistix Tracer @ 1068 MHz 2X 150GB WD Raptors (RAID 0) 1TB Hitachi Deskstar Antec Nine Hundred Case 750W Quad Silencer FOLDING FOR THE GOOD OF MANKIND:F@H Team 44358 \|\| Team Stats \|\| My Stats \|\| Hardware Contributions: Q6600/PS3/P4

05-02-2008, 06:09 PM	#7 (permalink)
tlarkin VIP Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 5,187	change ownership of the file to your account then delete it

05-02-2008, 08:43 PM	#8 (permalink)
Knightsman Bronze Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Moncks Corner, SC Age: 22 Posts: 42	You can try a program called Unlocker I have had it on my computer for about 2 years now. Should fix your problem. http://www.snapfiles.com/get/Unlocker.html

05-03-2008, 05:13 PM	#9 (permalink)
JohnJSal Platinum Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Hoboken, NJ Age: 28 Posts: 519	Well, Safe Mode didn't work. I still got the "Access Denied" error. I'll try the take ownership method next. EDIT: Nope, ownership didn't work either. Same error message. EDIT2: Unlocker worked! Strangely, it showed that the files weren't being locked by any other processes, but it was still able to force a delete! Awesome program! Thanks! __________________ Case: Antec P182 Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-EX38-DS4 CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 @ 3.00GHz GPU: EVGA GeForce 8800GT (512MB) RAM: Kingston ValueRAM (1GB x 2) Sound: Creative SoundBlaster X-Fi Xtremegamer / Logitech X-230 HDD: Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 (500GB) Optical: Samsung 20x DVD burner PSU: Corsair HX620 Monitor: LG 22" L226WTQ-BF Last edited by JohnJSal; 05-03-2008 at 05:29 PM.

05-03-2008, 06:04 PM	#10 (permalink)
mep916 VIP Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Sacramento Age: 28 Posts: 2,976	Yeah, I've heard unlocker is a great program. Glad you got it sorted. __________________ Q6600 (B3) @ 2.4 GHz Zalman CNPS9700 Gigabyte EX38 DS4 ASUS Radeon 3870 X2 4GB Ballistix Tracer @ 1068 MHz 2X 150GB WD Raptors (RAID 0) 1TB Hitachi Deskstar Antec Nine Hundred Case 750W Quad Silencer FOLDING FOR THE GOOD OF MANKIND:F@H Team 44358 \|\| Team Stats \|\| My Stats \|\| Hardware Contributions: Q6600/PS3/P4

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