windows still using file??

BloodAngel · Post by **BloodAngel** » 2006-03-08 08:41pm

Well, this has become a big problem recently. Over time, I'm seeing Windows inexplicably marking files as being accessed, while in reality nothing is accessing them. Is there a tool I can use that can detect these file opens, and possibly force close them? Damage to the file aside, of course.

Einhander Sn0m4n · Post by **Einhander Sn0m4n** » 2006-03-08 10:50pm

Try this shell extension called WhoLockMe?.

Netko · Post by **Netko** » 2006-03-09 09:15am

I personally use Unlocker.

If the files you are having a problem with are incomplete video files or video files in general (it is more often a problem with the incomplete ones) the problem is the explorers thumbnail preview generator for video files. I usualy disable it (google it a bit, the advice how to do it is common) since its simply too finicky and annoying for bascily no benefit (I'd say that 50% of videos get a black first frame as their preview - yay, thats helpful, NOT).

Vertigo1 · Post by **Vertigo1** » 2006-03-10 02:07am

And if you don't want to use a third-party tool, you can boot into safe mode (hit F8 before the windows logo appears to get the menu options) and delete the offending file that way. Not a foolproof solution by any means, but most of the time it works.

BloodAngel · Post by **BloodAngel** » 2006-03-10 02:07pm

Turns out the video file preview was the one giving Windows trouble. Nice job Microsoft...

Found this out using sysinternals' handle utility, for some reason it just grabs a file and holds onto it...with no reason whatsoever.