Vista - Cannot delete a file saved to my desktop

A file was saved to my Vista desktop. It is a small drawing file
(.dwg). About 102 KB in size. I can open it. However, I cannot delte
it, copy it, or cut it. If I try to delete it, window pops up and says
"RECYCLING 1 item". It churns and churns and churns. Nothing ever
happens.

I can rename it. Doesn't help with anyting.

Is there any hope for me?

mbolton40




--
lmbolton40

Try deleting it in Safe Mode.
--
Mick Murphy - Qld - Australia


"lmbolton40" wrote:

Did you try:

Right click file, Properties, Security tab, gain permisison to control or
delete file...
--
oscar

....Right click is your best friend...


"lmbolton40" wrote:

There are a couple of freeware programs that took care of "locked" file in
XP. Called "Unlocker" and "WhoLockMe." I haven't tried them in Vista. They
delete the file at next reboot. You might also check to see if there is any
process running that uses your dwg file. If so, try killing the process
before deleting.
"lmbolton40" <lmbolton40.2e11dec@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:lmbolton40.2e11dec@xxxxxx

Try to delete using *Command Prompt*


--
Ramesh MVP

'Ramesh Kumar' (http://itsmywindows.com)
Microsoft MVP
Windows Desktop Experience
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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View this thread: http://winvistaclub.com/forum/showthread.php?t=18498

Tried *Command Prompt*. No good. Just sat there and nothing happened.
Let it churn for a couple of hours. Nothing. Any other suggestions.
Please help. I have some coleagues in my office with same problem.


'Ramesh MVP[_4_ Wrote:


--
lmbolton40

I've had problems deleting files on the Vista desktop more than once now, and I've found a few solutions. All of my problems were for video files, but perhaps the solution will be the same for you.

One possible answer is that the Windows Search feature is indexing the file, which prevents you from deleting it. Try disabling the feature via the Services tab of msconfig (type that into the Run window). Restart, and see if you can delete the file.

Another possibility is that the Thumbnail generator built into Windows is accessing the file but can't render a thumbnail. Try disabling thumbnails altogether: in any folder, click Organize, Folder and Search Options, the View tab, and check "always show icons, never thumbnails." Restart (shouldn't need to, but just to be sure) and retry deleting.

If still no luck, you might try programs like Unlock (just google it) that give you improved access to "in use" files. I haven't tried this one, but others had good luck with it.

Here's one that might not work for you, but works for video files: uninstall the program that contains the codec used to open the file you can't delete. For example, if you can't delete a .mov file, uninstall Quicktime and try deleting again. You can reinstall the program when the unwanted file is gone.

Finally, a strange solution, one that saved me very recently: try to delete the file, and wait for the "recycling" window to appear. While it's up, press CTRL+ALT+DEL to bring up the Task Manager. Disable the task explorer.exe and wait a moment; your desktop will disappear. Reinable explorer.exe (click File, New Task, and type explorer.exe) and your desktop will reappear. Right-click the desktop and choose refresh (just to be sure). Now try to delete the file again. It worked for me!

Good luck!

Hello all. Disabling windows search, reboot, and deleting the stubborn file worked for me. Thanks to Big123 and his advice.

I had the same problem and this is what worked for me.

1. Create another User profile in Windows if there isn't already another one.
2. Start Windows in Safe Mode.
3. Log in as the user that does not have the .dwg file on the desktop.
4. Go to My Computer -> c:\users\[username]\desktop\
5. Delete the .dwg file.

This was a very creative approach! And the only one after 2 days of searching that got the job done.

But it only worked 50% of the way for me. There is still the little problem of getting it out of the recycling bin once it is gone from the folder. I tried emptying the recycling bin but it froze again. So, I followed the same instructions again within the recycling bin folder and it appears to finally be gone.

But still, I wish someone in MS knew what the hell is causing this bizarre nonsense and actually FIX the problem.

Thanks for your time in figuring this out!