XP Pro. .Cannot delete movie files. Help!

[martyfargo]

I'm trying to delete files in XP pro that have been duplicated on the desktop
and elsewhere but every time I atempt it I get an error message saying "
Cannot delete
( name of file) : It is being used by another person or program. Close any
programs that might be using the file and try again." the files are all video
files(real player and quicktime) . I am fairly new to computing and have a
tendancy to be a bit thick but as far as I'm aware no programs are running at
all. What's going on? This is the first time I've posted a question or
comment on any forum (if thats the right word) so be gentle with me and I
hope I have begginers luck! If someone out ther knows what the solution si
(I'm sure it's probabbly blindingly obvious) I'll offer my undieing etc etc,
'cause it's DOING MY HEAD IN! --
Cheers,
martyfargo

 

[Mary Sauer]

Try this:
Control Panel, Folder Options, View, Check *Show hidden files and folders.* Also
uncheck *Hide extensions for known file types.*

Next:
C:\Documents and Setting\<<user>>\Desktop

See if you can delete the files here. Or maybe re-name them to video.old and
then try deleting.

 

[Mary Sauer]

A p.s.
If you cannot delete the files in the user folder, can you drag them to a
different folder?

 

[DavidF]

You might also just reboot and then try. I have had programs such as the
media player not "let go" of a file even after closing.

DavidF

 

[martyfargo]

thanks for your answers, it somehow sorted itself out, dunno how, suppose
thats typical with computing. I dont think it was the rebooting as I had
already done that LOADS of times and Mary's suggestion unfortunately didnt do
any thing. but it's a good one to try if it happens again. As I say, it
suddenly decided that it felt like cooperating and alls well now. I thought
my pc was like a faithful dog, now it turns out it thinks its the neighbours
CAT. Many thanks for your suggestions,
Martyfargo

 

[Daniel Thomas]

If you come acrosss this problem again in any case... and if you are dead
sure that the files you want to delete are not necessary. You could use this
software "unlocker" http://ccollomb.free.fr/unlocker/ ... allows you to
delete almost any file.