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XP can't remove MPEG-4 videos
Kernel_Sanders
Posts: 3,617 Forumite
I've been scratching around my C drive, looking for stuff to delete as the room is running out again. I've got a couple of MPEG-4 videos there, but the Windows error comes up saying they can't be deleted and to check they're not in use etc. Real Player is closed, and this situation is the same even at start-up. I decided to move them to the D drive, but Windows copied them over instead. The same thing happens on the D drive, so now I have even less space!
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read only?!!
> . !!!! ----> .0 -
Try pulling the edge of the Window smaller so the preview bar on the left disappears and then try deleting them. It sounds like the 'Details' box is keeping the file open.0
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They are on the HDD. Thought only optical drive discs could be read only.read only?
That doesn't work. Should I try this with the files open??Try pulling the edge of the Window smaller so the preview bar on the left disappears and then try deleting them. It sounds like the 'Details' box is keeping the file open.0 -
Try booting into safe mode and removing themThis is a system account and does not represent a real person. To contact the Forum Team email forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com0
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Kernel_Sanders wrote: »They are on the HDD. Thought only optical drive discs could be read only.That doesn't work. Should I try this with the files open??
This is incorrect, any file can be set to read only. right click on the mpeg file and see if the read only box is ticked.0 -
Kernel_Sanders wrote: »They are on the HDD. Thought only optical drive discs could be read only.That doesn't work. Should I try this with the files open??
This is incorrect, any file can be set to read only. right click on the mpeg file go to properties and see if the read only box is ticked.0 -
Kernel_Sanders wrote: »They are on the HDD. Thought only optical drive discs could be read only.That doesn't work.
Most filesystems have a "read only" attribute that can be set for a file to prevent accidental deletion. If you right-click the file and select properties, the file attributes should be shown there.
Otherwise, this little app should unlock the files so you won't see the "file X is currently in use" type message:
http://www.filehippo.com/download_unlocker/0 -
Is it thumbnailing them, or showing a preview to the left? Click "View" then "List".
Don't let them know their days are numbered left clicking to get their attention before pressing delete. Sneak up on them with a right click and delete off that menu.Yes it's overwhelming, but what else can we do?
Get jobs in offices and wake up for the morning commute?0 -
The read-only attribute is unchecked and it doesn't matter which menu I delete from, nor whether a preview pane shows.
I forgot to start up in safe mode this morning, but I'll try that on next start-up (closing down and starting up takes an age!)0 -
I have this problem and use the solution in post #80
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