XP "holds" onto files - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

ARTelevision · 02-05-2004, 06:33 AM

I haven't been able to locate this having been asked before here.

Anyone have a fix for how XP "holds" onto files? Often I'm forced to close the application it is opened in (or sometimes a file opened previously) in order to be able to move or even copy the file to another location?

Thanks in advance.

darkure · 02-05-2004, 07:03 AM

It might that that even though the application has been closed the process is still present in memory. So if you hit Crtl-Alt-Del and then in the Task Manager under the Processes tab choose the process in question and then click End Process. I think that should free up the files.

hrdwareguy · 02-05-2004, 07:23 AM

In XP, you can go to start/control panel/admin tools/computer management. Under system tools, expand the shared folders, then click the open files. You might be able to see the open file here. If it shows, you can force it closed and then be able to move it.

ARTelevision · 02-05-2004, 07:35 AM

Thanks, hrd, I will pass this on to a customer as well.
I'll check the knowledge base right now, too.

ARTelevision · 02-05-2004, 10:27 AM

Well, I found this: The first from MS, the second from another group...

Explorer.exe May Generate an Application Error When You Close a Folder

http://support.microsoft.com/default...&Product=winxp

http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum...s.cfm?t=152436

Not quite getting an actual satisfactory fix yet...

Still trying to nail it down.

ARTelevision · 02-05-2004, 10:39 AM

Oh thanks darkure, also.
I guess I can live with that sort of solution but I'm also researching it for a customer and would like to have it - you know, go away... heh heh

Confederate · 02-05-2004, 10:40 AM

what works for me is ending explorer through task manager and then starting explorer back up and sometimes that releases the file

Dragonlich · 02-05-2004, 12:45 PM

I have the same problem with windows media player sometimes - I watch a movie, close MP afterwards, and can't delete/move the file. Killing the wmplayer process in the task manager solves it.

A bug, no doubt.

gal · 02-06-2004, 03:35 AM

I've found that deleting avi-files is sometimes impossible, even after restart. Terminating the explorer process and deleting the file from the command line may work. Also there is a reg-file fix for this:

Save the text as a reg-file and run it:

---
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

// Run this file and all problems, with AVI-files not being deletable in Windows XP, disappear
//
// Created by Duxus
// Info gathered by Moo
// Support from jswede
//

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{87D62D94-71B3-4b9a-9489-5FE6850DC73E}\InProcServer32]
@=hex(1):0
"ThreadingModel"="None"
---

SecretMethod70 · 02-06-2004, 04:51 AM

I'm pretty sure that script above is what you're looking for art, although it MAY not be. IIRC, the reason it's difficult to delete large avis - and what that reg fix is for - is because XP tries to get the full info for the file before "releasing it" so, with a 700 MB avi for example, it scans the full 700 MB before it "releases" it. Even without the fix it is possible to delete the avis without a restart or anything though. If you're not using the classic folder view, click on the avi and just wait for the thumbnail to pop up in the details section on the left of the window. When the thumbnail of the video pops up, it's ready to be deleted 90% of the time. Nonetheless, it makes it much less of a hassle

I suspect the same is the reason for your customer's issues (although I'm not positive). Either way, the fix is good to run anyways, even if it doesn't fix your customer's problem...but I think it will.

ARTelevision · 02-06-2004, 02:36 PM

Thanks friends.
The workarounds do work for the most part. It's clearly not releasing the file. The fact that it's happening with small files seems it's not always about huge files - which SecretMethod's response suggests. I'll grab that patch anyway as is suggested above.

I agree, Dragonlich, it's a bug - and all we have is workarounds at the moment. I posted the question to a few MS support message boards and see what comes back.

Good to know you folks are here!

heyal256 · 02-07-2004, 07:20 AM

I have also seen this issue show up under a different circumstance. I have a shared folder on my winxp machine and if I use my home network from a win2k box to try and transfer a file, I get the "file in use error", but if i go onto my winxp machine and then move it to the same share on my win2k machine, the files will transfer. I think that this problem might be related to the problem you are having.

It does sound like that fix might help my problem, but maybe the issue that i am having may shed some light on the problem you are experiencing?

02-05-2004, 06:33 AM	#1 (permalink)
ARTelevision I change Location: USA	XP "holds" onto files I haven't been able to locate this having been asked before here. Anyone have a fix for how XP "holds" onto files? Often I'm forced to close the application it is opened in (or sometimes a file opened previously) in order to be able to move or even copy the file to another location? Thanks in advance. __________________ create evolution

02-05-2004, 07:03 AM	#2 (permalink)
darkure Addict Location: Dodging the ice pick	It might that that even though the application has been closed the process is still present in memory. So if you hit Crtl-Alt-Del and then in the Task Manager under the Processes tab choose the process in question and then click End Process. I think that should free up the files. __________________ COYW

02-05-2004, 07:23 AM	#3 (permalink)
hrdwareguy "Officer, I was in fear for my life" Location: Oklahoma City	In XP, you can go to start/control panel/admin tools/computer management. Under system tools, expand the shared folders, then click the open files. You might be able to see the open file here. If it shows, you can force it closed and then be able to move it. __________________ Gun Control is hitting what you aim at Aim for the TFP, Donate Today

02-05-2004, 07:35 AM	#4 (permalink)
ARTelevision I change Location: USA	Thanks, hrd, I will pass this on to a customer as well. I'll check the knowledge base right now, too. __________________ create evolution

02-05-2004, 10:27 AM	#5 (permalink)
ARTelevision I change Location: USA	Well, I found this: The first from MS, the second from another group... Explorer.exe May Generate an Application Error When You Close a Folder http://support.microsoft.com/default...&Product=winxp http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum...s.cfm?t=152436 Not quite getting an actual satisfactory fix yet... Still trying to nail it down. __________________ create evolution

02-05-2004, 10:39 AM	#6 (permalink)
ARTelevision I change Location: USA	Oh thanks darkure, also. I guess I can live with that sort of solution but I'm also researching it for a customer and would like to have it - you know, go away... heh heh __________________ create evolution

02-05-2004, 10:40 AM	#7 (permalink)
Confederate Death Leprechaun Location: College Station, TX	what works for me is ending explorer through task manager and then starting explorer back up and sometimes that releases the file

02-05-2004, 12:45 PM	#8 (permalink)
Dragonlich 42, baby! Location: The Netherlands	I have the same problem with windows media player sometimes - I watch a movie, close MP afterwards, and can't delete/move the file. Killing the wmplayer process in the task manager solves it. A bug, no doubt.

02-06-2004, 03:35 AM	#9 (permalink)
gal Insane	I've found that deleting avi-files is sometimes impossible, even after restart. Terminating the explorer process and deleting the file from the command line may work. Also there is a reg-file fix for this: Save the text as a reg-file and run it: --- Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00 // Run this file and all problems, with AVI-files not being deletable in Windows XP, disappear // // Created by Duxus // Info gathered by Moo // Support from jswede // [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{87D62D94-71B3-4b9a-9489-5FE6850DC73E}\InProcServer32] @=hex(1):0 "ThreadingModel"="None" ---

02-06-2004, 04:51 AM	#10 (permalink)
SecretMethod70 Human Administrator Location: Chicago	I'm pretty sure that script above is what you're looking for art, although it MAY not be. IIRC, the reason it's difficult to delete large avis - and what that reg fix is for - is because XP tries to get the full info for the file before "releasing it" so, with a 700 MB avi for example, it scans the full 700 MB before it "releases" it. Even without the fix it is possible to delete the avis without a restart or anything though. If you're not using the classic folder view, click on the avi and just wait for the thumbnail to pop up in the details section on the left of the window. When the thumbnail of the video pops up, it's ready to be deleted 90% of the time. Nonetheless, it makes it much less of a hassle I suspect the same is the reason for your customer's issues (although I'm not positive). Either way, the fix is good to run anyways, even if it doesn't fix your customer's problem...but I think it will. __________________ Le temps détruit tout "Musicians are the carriers and communicators of spirit in the most immediate sense." - Kurt Elling Last edited by SecretMethod70; 02-06-2004 at 04:53 AM..

02-06-2004, 02:36 PM	#11 (permalink)
ARTelevision I change Location: USA	Thanks friends. The workarounds do work for the most part. It's clearly not releasing the file. The fact that it's happening with small files seems it's not always about huge files - which SecretMethod's response suggests. I'll grab that patch anyway as is suggested above. I agree, Dragonlich, it's a bug - and all we have is workarounds at the moment. I posted the question to a few MS support message boards and see what comes back. Good to know you folks are here! __________________ create evolution

02-07-2004, 07:20 AM	#12 (permalink)
heyal256 Not so great lurker Location: NY	I have also seen this issue show up under a different circumstance. I have a shared folder on my winxp machine and if I use my home network from a win2k box to try and transfer a file, I get the "file in use error", but if i go onto my winxp machine and then move it to the same share on my win2k machine, the files will transfer. I think that this problem might be related to the problem you are having. It does sound like that fix might help my problem, but maybe the issue that i am having may shed some light on the problem you are experiencing?