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        How To Delete System Blocked Files

Section(s): Explorer , Miscellaneous, Miscellaneous, Miscellaneous, Utilities, File Systems, Utilities
Published on Sep 24, 2008.
Last Modified on Jul 10, 2008.
Last Modified by Nirmal Sharma.
Rated 3 out of 5 based on 2 votes.

How to delete Files/Folders which are being blocked by the processes running in the background.

You will get the following error messages when you try to delete a file/folder which is being blocked by the System or Application Processes running in the Task manager:

Access Is Denied
Sharing Violation Error
File/Folder is being used by applications. Please close the application and then try again.

Solution:

You need to kill the handle. To kill the handle, use Process Explorer from Sysinternals (at URL: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb896653.aspx)

How to delete the handle:

Run Process Explorer
Go to Find menu > Enter File/Folder name and then click on Search. You will see a list of processes blocking the file/folder.
Right click on the process and then click on Close Handle > Click Ok for confirmation.

Now you can successfully delete the file.

About Nirmal Sharma

Nirmal is a Microsoft MVP in Directory Services and working as a Technical Architect/Consultant. He has been involved in Microsoft Technologies since 1994 and followed the progression of Microsoft Operating Systems and software. He is specialized in Directory Services, Microsoft Clustering, SQL, MOM, Exchange and Citrix. In his spare time, he likes to help others and write "internal" technical articles, white papers and tips on various Microsoft technologies. You can contact him at nirmal_sharma@mvps.org.