Re: erasing a folder filled with locked files

Tech-Archive recommends: Repair Windows Errors & Optimize Windows Performance

From: mg (mg_at_discussions.microsoft.com)
Date: 10/25/04 

Date: Mon, 25 Oct 2004 15:35:03 -0700

Mr. White,

wow, I did not know that about the quotes around a file name in dos. Thanks
that solves a myriad of problems for me. MusicMatch is working fine now.

Mike

"R. C. White" wrote:

> Hi, Mike.
>
> I hope that reinstalling MusicMatch will let you uninstall it.
>
> In the "DOS" window, if you want to work with a folder name or any filename
> or path that includes a space character (such as Program Files), you must
> enclose the entire pathname in quotes. For example: cd "C:\Program Files"
> or rd "C:\Program Files\MusicMatch" /s
>
> Another trick with cd is to use a wildcard. For example, cd pro* will
> usually get you into Program Files without the quotes (unless you have
> another foldername starting with pro). But the wildcard does not work this
> way with some commands; dir pro* would only produce a directory showing
> Program Files and any other file/foldername starting with pro.
>
> File "attributes" include Archive, System, Hidden and Read-Only. Use the
> "DOS" command attrib /? to see details. But the /s switch causes the rd
> command to ignore attributes, deleting files and folders with any or all of
> these attributes set. As you can see, as with most powerful commands, it
> can be very dangerous if you slip up and delete more than you intended.
>
> Attributes have nothing to do with a message that a file is in use. Any
> file, including one with no attributes set, can be in use by a running
> program, and WinXP will usually refuse the command to delete such a file
> until it is no longer in use. Booting into Safe Mode often allows us to
> delete files that otherwise would be used by programs set to run at Startup.
>
> RC
> --
> R. C. White, CPA
> San Marcos, TX
> rc@corridor.net
> Microsoft Windows MVP
>
> "mg" <mg@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:B6AC707A-65E7-4E11-B308-D17EA97E5F0B@microsoft.com...
> > Dear Mr. White,
> >
> > Thank you for your reply. You gave me a number of ways to solve my
> > problem,
> > some of which I have tried.
> >
> > On the matter of going to the dos window, I did that but was unable to
> > change the directory using the chdir and cd commands to the Program Files
> > directory. I tried every combination of that name but to no avail.
> >
> > Actually I was attempting to re-install the program when I was informed
> > that
> > installation could not proceed because files in the old directory were
> > proteted or in use. I did all I know to change attributes and to prevent
> > the
> > files from loading, etc. Still no success.
> >
> > Finally I changed the name of the sub-directory within the Program Files
> > directory that held the program, which is MUSICMATCH, and then installed
> > the
> > program anew. Now I will try to delete the old, renamed directory in safe
> > mode as suggest by another kind colleague in this group.
> >
> > Thank you for your advice.
> >
> > Mike Good
> >
> > "R. C. White" wrote:
> >
> >> Hi, Mike.
> >>
> >> Sometimes we can uninstall an uninstallable program if we install it
> >> again,
> >> then uninstall it. Installing it again (into the same location, if
> >> possible) lets the uninstaller rebuilt its database. The program's own
> >> uninstall utility (or Add/Remove Programs) then can find the data it
> >> needs
> >> to uninstall.
> >>
> >> If you mention the name of the program, someone here might recognize it
> >> and
> >> know about its quirks.
> >>
> >> > How do I force the deletion of all files
> >> > in a folder regardless of their attributes?
> >>
> >> One way is to open a "DOS" window and use the Remove Directory command
> >> with
> >> the /s switch to include all files and subdirectories. This, of course,
> >> does NOT clean up the Registry or delete any related files in other
> >> directories. But, if you are sure you want to do this, then navigate to
> >> the
> >> parent of the directory and enter: rd <foldername> /s
> >>
> >> RC
> >>
> >> "Mike Good" <Mike Good@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> >> news:5EF29038-9960-44E8-BC6D-785E0E9CF85D@microsoft.com...
> >> >I have a folder filled with all the elements of a program including sub
> >> > folders, lots of .dll files and many others. I must delete it to
> >> > reinstall
> >> > it. There is no uninstall program and it does not appear in the list
> >> > of
> >> > prgrams on the remove/alter menu. How do I force the deletion of all
> >> > files
> >> > in a folder regardless of their attributes?
>
>

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