Deleting non-exe files after renaming to exe makes them "in use"

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

From: Tyrael (Tyrael_at_discussions.microsoft.com)
Date: 08/11/04 

Date: Wed, 11 Aug 2004 14:09:04 -0700

Hi guys!

I have following problem:
first: I rename any non-exe (txt, rar, etc.) file to ".exe" with final
extension
second: I try to delete the "new" exe-file which results in an error: "the
file is in use by another program."

After doing this, the file cannot be renamed, deleted or moved. All tries
end up with the error "the file is in use".
After a system-reboot all files that have been in use before are still in use.
The files do not have any special attribute neither they are an indexed file.
This problem occurs on all local drives.
Copying the files works fine but all resulting files have the same problem.
Using MoveFileEx() WinAPI is able to rename them with flag
MOVEFILE_DELAY_UNTIL_REBOOT. After that I can delete them simply.
With Windows in SAFE MODE does still happen the same.
I have had SP1, but installed SP2. Didnt helped.
I use Windows-Explorer.

This problem ONLY occurs when the file is tried to get deleted after
renaming to exe.
After renaming a file to exe, renaming it back to any other file extionsion
and then deleting it works fine.

I already updated all virus, trojans and spyware scanners and didnt find
anything.
I uninstalled all scanners and system internal stuff, so 3rd party drivers
shouldnt exist.
... but looks more like a bug than a usefull function of a virus.
I also tried to close USER and SYSTEM apps with no success.

My system:
Windows XP (SP1, installed SP2)
AMD XP 2800+
1,5 GB RAM
ATI Radeon 9800

I hope you can help me!

Relevant Pages

  • Re: message error in outlook express
    ... >2000 or Windows XP) and rename it when you find it. ... can help retrieve ... >> renaming the folders.dbx file and xp wouldn't let me do ...
    (microsoft.public.internet.mail)
  • Re: After login windows promts for Activation when already activated?
    ... When clicking on yes to activate now, a nother windows says ... but the file is wpabaln.exe and I would try renaming that. ... as it is protected by File Protection. ... r-click and rename ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
  • Re: The problem with Macs ....
    ... change their window title if you rename a file behind their backs. ... Not so much to do with Windows as with the app. ... Notetab is one which allows renaming. ...
    (uk.comp.sys.mac)
  • Re: File extensions are fun
    ... So renaming it is an unreliable way of changing the type ... You can now rename the file to anything you want without accidently ... Windows tried this by hiding the file type and this caused more problems ... With OS X you can hide extensions. ...
    (uk.comp.sys.mac)
  • Re: blocking another application from starting
    ... why not simply uninstall Windows?) ... or rename the exe. ...
    (comp.lang.java.help)