# Why will this file not delete?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-will-this-file-not-delete/536133>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [April 14, 2010, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-will-this-file-not-delete/536133 "2010-04-14T22:20:26Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![Roland\_Orzabal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c2a13f/32.png) [@Roland\_Orzabal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roland_Orzabal)\
**Post date:** [April 15, 2010, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-will-this-file-not-delete/536133/21 "2010-04-15T14:27:26Z")

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Glad to be of service. Spread the Unlocker love.

It’s worth repeating **BigT** ’s point that deleting files out from under programs that are actually using them (as opposed to Explorer, which often thinks it’s “using” files that you opened with Windows Picture Viewer two days ago or somesuch) is a bad idea. If you run Unlocker and the process that shows is a program that’s currently open, best to exit the program in the normal fashion.

I was a bit lax in leaving that part out, but this being the Dope, I knew I wouldn’t have to wait long for a correction. 😃 (Kidding. Thanks **BT**.)

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**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\
**Post date:** [April 15, 2010, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-will-this-file-not-delete/536133/22 "2010-04-15T14:30:03Z")

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> [@Roland\_Orzabal](#):
>
> Glad to be of service. Spread the Unlocker love.
> 
> It’s worth repeating **BigT** ’s point that deleting files out from under programs that are actually using them (as opposed to Explorer, which often thinks it’s “using” files that you opened with Windows Picture Viewer two days ago or somesuch) is a bad idea. If you run Unlocker and the process that shows is a program that’s currently open, best to exit the program in the normal fashion.
> 
> I was a bit lax in leaving that part out, but this being the Dope, I knew I wouldn’t have to wait long for a correction. 😃 (Kidding. Thanks **BT**.)

I’m hardly a computer guru, **Roland** , but it occurred to me long ere I started the thread to simply reboot, and I had already done that. I reboot regularly anyway on account of being anal retentive.

This is a good reminder for me to check to make sure RealPlayer isn’t in the startup tray or whatever it’s called, though.

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