I have a load of EPS files in my recycle bin that will not delete.

I get a message saying:

'Cannot delete Dc(then a number): it is in use by another person or programme'


There are no other apps open on my machine, the files are all un-related, and are all EPS files. All the other types of files deleted without issue ie Quark, Illustartor, Jpeg files etc.

I've had some of them stuck in there for a couple of months.
Anyone know how I can get rid of em?

This is going to sound lame, but have you tried to reboot your PC and then delete the files before doing anything (i.e. do it as soon as Windows finishes loading). This has worked for me on files that the computer seems convinced are being used.

I gave that a go first thing this morning. Still no joy :(

I was under the impression that files in the recycle bin could not be accessed by any other program? I thought that was the point of the bin.

Some of the files I have added to it this morning seemed happy to be moved to the recycle bin, but its only when I try to remove them completely from the machine that they seem to be 'in use'

Gah! :huh:

Assuming you've tried it in safe mode? Keep pressing F8 when the computer first boots and then select Safe Mode from the options - then just wait for windows to load and delete it from the bin as you normally would.

If you've done that and had no luck, then perhaps this might work:
http://www.theeldergeek.com/delete_undeletable_file.htm

Although it seems a bit of a messy way of doing it.

What version of Windows are you using?

Access the folder through DOS mode... C:\Windows\Recycled is usually the correct path. If you boot into DOS via the Shutdown menu (on Windows 98 ) or by holding F5 down, and selecting "command prompt only" you will not even be running windows, let alone any other programs... so you can maunally delete the selected files by typing "del [filename.extension]". Windows can't stop you!

Just a note of caution - occassionally the reason the files are in use is that they are system files, so it may cause your system further problems if they get deleted... if you think they aren't, then check your system for malicious programmes first - I use the spybot programme for this...

Cheers guys - ill give it a go when I get back from lunch (if I can work up the bottle - anything outside the padded cell of windows scares me a little!)

I know they are not system files, I created most of them them myself - they're just random picture files used daily for my work.
I'm on Windows XP Pro.

Thanks for the advice guys, ill get on to it after me tuna mayo sandwiches! :thumbsup: