[Solved]Cannot delete file - it is open in TC - but it's not

[foxidrive]

I marked some files and pressed shift and del to delete them without using the recycle bin.

The message box that pops up tells me the file is open in TC, but it's not, and I've had this issue before also with a .db file, but thumbs.db that time, and mentioned it in this forum.

(it still happens now and then when I'm deleting files that include a thumbs.db)

This file in the image was not open in anything.

http://astronomy.comoj.com/TC/2014-05-20_215231.jpg

Windows 8.1 32 bit
TC 32 bit V8.51a

[Stefan2]

" the file is open in " didn't means necessary the file is really still opened,

but rather the application in question has still an handle (coder term) on an file.

That happens with many (all?) applications.

- - -

Solution, do one time some another task with that application, to work on another handle.

e.g. open another file to release the handle on the first file to be able to delete this.



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[MarcinW]

If I understand correctly, you can't delete a .db file (for example thumbs.db), which contains thumbnails for the current folder.

It's possible that you viewed some images in that folder and the operating system updated the .db file and still keeps it open. In this case, explorer.exe keeps this file, so TC can't delete it.

You may try to use an Unlocker tool to see what is locking that .db file.

Regards

[foxidrive]

Thanks for your replies.

I noted this here because it has happened with thumbs.db in the past and it now happened with another .db file, but has never happened with any other filetype.

If TC has an open handle on the file - why?

[Horst.Epp]

Thanks for your replies.

I noted this here because it has happened with thumbs.db in the past and it now happened with another .db file, but has never happened with any other filetype.

If TC has an open handle on the file - why?

Don't guess what happens.
Use an unlocker tool as suggested and see what is blocking the file.

[foxidrive]

Windows tells me that TC is holding the file open. Did you look at the image?

I closed TC and restarted it and then deleted the files using the same method, before I posted, so it's not reproducible.

Sometimes I can delete thumbs.db too and other times I can't.
This is also from folders where I have not recently viewed any files.

[Stefan2]

If TC has an open handle on the file - why?

Because you opened a file and so the responsible application was launched.
(with thumbs.db you have probably open a folder from TC with WinExplorer?)

That application was closed, but TC as mother thread, who had start that app, is taken as the "locker".

The handle is kept for further use. (windowsTM behaviour)

To release, just utilize the application in question with another file.

Or close the applications who could be the "locker".

Or utilize a tool like unlocker (I don't know if that still works today. I had this used years ago.)


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[foxidrive]

If TC has an open handle on the file - why?

Because you opened a file and so the responsible application was launched.

The file wasn't open in any application, the file was a backup of the database ditto.db and was created days ago.

[Stefan2]

Then I am out of any help , sorry.




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[foxidrive]

This is reproducible.

1) Create a folder called A and run this batch script in it.
2) Press F3 on the .db file to load the viewer, and press escape to exit
3) Highlight the .db file and press DEL and ENTER

I get the same message that is in the image in my first post in this thread and paraphrased as "The file cannot be deleted because it is open in Total Commander"

Do the same to the .txt file. It gets deleted.

There looks to be some issue with TC and a .db file, which is what I have been saying.

Code: Select all

@echo off
echo %random% >%random%.db
echo %random% >%random%.txt

[MarcinW]

I tried with Windows 2000, XP, 2003 Server and Vista, with deleting to recycle bin and directly.

I couldn't reproduce the problem - I could delete .db files without any problems.

Try this:
1) Open .db file with F3.
2) Don't close Lister, but check - with the Unlocker tool - what is keeping .db file. There may be more than one program keeping this file open.

Maybe this is a problem with some shell extension? Try ShellExView tool.

[foxidrive]

I created the .db file, opened it in TC with F3 and then right clicked on the .db file and selected unlocker - here are the results.

http://astronomy.comoj.com/TC/2014-05-22_232703.jpg

After I closed the viewer with escape I pressed DEL and ENTER and this appeared.

http://astronomy.comoj.com/TC/2014-05-22_232729.jpg

I am using Windows 8.1 32 bit

What information should ShellExView give me that pertains to this issue? How do I apply the tool to debug this issue?

[foxidrive]

Thanks MarcinW,

Unlocker doesn't work in Windows 8.1 AFAICS, but you gave me an idea - to check the forgotten plugins in TC.

This plugin was causing the issue - and I don't think it was installed correctly as it didn't pop up in Lister or open when I pressed enter on a .db file (I had a "nothing associated with DB files" error message).


CDBFVIEW 1.20

CDBFview - is a plugin for Total Commander (http://www.ghisler.com)
It allows you to view DBF files in Lister's window (Also in Quick View Panel).


Sorry to Christian, as my two threads on .DB files must have been frustrating when it wasn't apparent to him that TC had any issues with .DB files.

Thanks to all the posters here - I am glad to put this issue behind me.

Cheers
foxi