Can't delete file

[Hammer]

There's a .exe file sitting on my desktop that I can't delete. It says the file is in use by another user or program (it's a home PC, no network, windows XP). I've tried booting windows in safe mode and logging in as admin but still the same problem.

I got this from bittorrent and it didn't do what I expected it to, so I'm a bit worried that it is something dodgy.

Any suggestions on how to get rid?

[OBonio]

Hit ctrl-alt-del, select Task Manager then processes and try and find the .exe in there. If it is in there, right click on it and select End Process. Then try and delete the .exe.

[Hammer]

I tried that but couldn't find a process that was obvious. I didn't want to randomly stop anything in case it broke something else.

[BreenM]

One way to initially get round it might be to click start, then run and in the box that appears type msconfig. Then go to the start up tab and look for anything funny that starts when you boot up. You should have some kind of idea. Sounds to me like it's something thats starting as soon as you power up your pc hence why you can't delete it. There will be a service running as Obonio said that you've not stopped. What is the exe file name?

Other option is type the exe file name into google and see what it is.

[sarah_louise]

As fender62 says use the Freeware Unlocker

[Hammer]

Thanks guys, I'll try the unlocker tonight.

The filename is outrageously long - something along the lines of 'DVD to Ipod converter.exe' but much longer.

[Hammer]

Nice one, it worked!!