01 October 2007:
Delete an Undeletable File
Sometimes files can become corrupt, in which case Windows XP prevents you
from deleting them and displays an error message that says the files cannot be deleted because they are currently in use. Even if you reboot your computer and try to delete the files again, usually you see the same error message. To force Windows to delete the files, try the following steps.
To delete common files:
1. Close all open documents and programs that are currently running.
2. Shut down your computer, and then reboot it.
3. Return to Windows and try to delete the file again.
4. If you still can’t get rid of the file, shut down your computer.
5. Turn on your computer and immediately press the F8 key on your
keyboard several times until the Windows Advanced Options Menu
screen appears.
6. Use the up or down arrows on your keyboard to select Safe Mode,
and then press the Enter key.
7. The next screen displays the message “Please select the operating
system to start.” Assuming you have only Windows XP installed on
your system, press the Enter key. If you have more than one operating
system installed, use the up or down arrows on your keyboard to
select Windows XP, then press the Enter key.
8. Windows loads some software, which could take a minute or two.
Depending on how your version of Windows is configured, a login
screen or the Welcome Screen appears. If you see the login screen,
type your account name and password (if you have one), and then
press Enter. If you see the Welcome Screen, click the icon for the
account labeled Administrator or an account that has administrative
privileges, and then type your password (if you have one).
9. A message alerts you that Windows is running in Safe Mode. To
proceed, click the Yes button.
10. You can use Safe Mode in much the same way that you use the
regular Windows mode. Locate the undeletable file, and then try
deleting it again.
11. If you are successful, reboot your computer and return to the regular
Windows mode. If your efforts are not successful, seek the help of a
certified computer professional.
To delete videos with the file extension .avi:
1. Click the Start button in the lower-left corner of Windows.
2. Click the Run button.
3. A window opens. Type regedit in the blank, and then click the OK
button or press the Enter key.
4. Click the OK button or press the Enter key.
5. The Windows Registry Editor opens. In the left window pane, double-
click the registry key labeled HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE. If you
can’t find it, do the following:
a. In the left window pane of the Registry Editor, scroll to the top.
b. If any of the HKEY registry keys are open — as indicated by a
minus sign (-) on their left side — then close them by clicking
that minus sign. When a registry key has been properly closed, it
will have a plus sign (+) next to it.
c. Repeat this process for the remaining HKEY registry keys until
the only things visible in the left window pane are the five
HKEY keys
Double-click the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE registry key.
6. A new column of registry keys appears. Double-click the Software reg-
istry key.
7. Open the Classes registry key.
8. A long list of registry keys appears. Scroll down and double-click
CLSID
9. Another long list of registry keys appears. Scroll down and double-click
the one labeled {87D62D94-71B3-4b9a-9489-5FE6850DC73E}.
10. Right-click the InProcServer32registry key, and then select Delete
11. You are asked to confirm the deletion. Click the Yes button.
12. Exit the Registry Editor by clicking the X button in the upper-right
corner.
13. Shut down your computer and restart it.
14. When you return to Windows, you should now be able to delete the
.avi file.