Cannot delete File From Desktop; Windows Folder XP

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Recently I was trying to File>Save>Save as competete *html file a document and have had trouble saving
documents particularly many web pages and web based inboxes to my hard drive like Yahoo and Hotmail.
But my problem here is I have a folder on my desktop I have no use for. When I want to eliminate it by highlighting
and hitting Shift + Delete I get an error message that I cannot remove the file–it is being used by another
person or program. A mouseover shows the file is empty so I want it off my desktop. Just dragging it into another
folder doesn’t work –same message comes up. A while back I got an email from Dell Tech Support of files that
were supposed to help and clicking on the .exe of the files deposited 27 folders on my desktop that would not
eliminate by any conventional means. Like a grade “B” horror movie, every time I tried to lasso these folders and
Shift + Delete them to bypass the recycle bin a new layer of them appeared. This went on to infinity.
Several tech support people from more than one large computer or software company (15) could not figure out
how to get them off. Finally an overall supervisor from the world’s largest computer supervisor had me
Go to the (hidden in XP) Windows Folder and open the Desktop Folder in it where a complete desktop
replica was stored and this worked perfectly . I tried to replicate this move, but when I opened the hidden
Windows Folder at My Computerr>C Drive>Windows Folder, I could find no Desktop Folder with the
desktop icons as I had done with Windows ME to solve the problem.
How do I get this stubborn file that has nothing in it off my desktop?

Thanks,

defrag

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See if this files is in the “All Users” desktop, if so log in as THE Administrator and try and delete it using Windows Explorer (My Computer). When files are in use one can not delete them, you need to login as some one else with Admin permissions or as the Admimistrator to delete them.

ALSO note LOG OUT as current user and then log in as the other user, DO NOT “Switch” user because the current user will still be looged in and the file still in use.

DaveA I am so far behind, I think I am First
Genealogy....confusing the dead and annoying the living

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Dave–Thanks for responding. I really appreciate the help and after beating these little snags I always learn
something.
1)I’m always logged on as the administrator–and if I need to log on otherwise to get this off my desktop I will.
2) I’d be interested in hearing what you think of my dilemma with 26 icons that kept layering on my desktop and why
I was able to finally get them off in one click by going into the Windows Folder and then the Desktop Folder in it
in My Computer.
3) I tried what you said. When I Rt. Click the Start Menu I get the option to “Open All Users” or “Explorer All Users.”
I interpret the Explorer all users as Windows Explorer. I am not sure of the difference between My Computer and
Windows Explorer—or the C Drive in My Computer and Windows Explorer. I went into the Desktop File in
Explorer All Users and it is there but acts the same way as on my desktop when I try to delete it. The box
comes up to watch it progress bar off, but then another error message comes up to say it is in use.
Over on the left in the Folders Section of Windows Explorer, I went into Desktop and it wasn’t in there.
HOWEVER IT WAS IN THE LIST OF FOLDERS ON THE LEFT, SO I DELETED IT THERE BUT IT IS STILL ON THE
DESKTOP AND WON’T GO AWAY. I am not sure why it is in the Desktop Folder in one place and not in the
other. But it is still in two places listsed above and I can’t delete it.

Maybe I need to log in as something other than administrator. Remember I am already logged in always
as Administrator and Guest Account is Off. A couple weeks ago I found some file.asp logged in on the
Guest account and didn ‘t understand why unless it was some default–wondered if someone could have
hacked in–so I closed the guest account. I have a mediocre firewall Norton Internet Security Pro.
I am going to switch to something like a Linksys Router soon since I am on a Cable BB connection.

Hope I made sense. Thanks for taking the time. I have gone after this icon anywhere near Windows
Explorer and it won’t go away. Do I need a regedit?

When I got those icons off the desktop that kept layering (producing clones of themselves with a
higher number (1) then (2) from the executable that I was sent by going to Windows Folder>Desktop
and clicking them off what was going on there–was there a close connection to the Registry?
Why did that work? I’ve wondered about that for months.

Thanks,

defrag

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You have JUST found one of the MAJOR problems with always using the “Administrator” account as your prime account. This account is for system setup, major installs and recovering.

One should have and use as a prime account, with ‘Admin’ rights. This would allow you to go in to the system as the Administrator and perform these recovery and clean up actions. Now that you have locked the door you may need to do a complet CLEAN install of the OS and all programs.

What items have you been trying to delete and from where?

DaveA I am so far behind, I think I am First
Genealogy....confusing the dead and annoying the living

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Dave–Obviously I wasn’t aware of t his. I will have to read up on these
accounts. Perhaps there is a way to switch to a prime account with
‘Admin’ rights. From posts on different boards, there is a lot of
confusion over user accounts. I’ll hit my library. This is the only item that I tried to delete–
it was a file with the date on it–I would have to use Norton Unerase Wizard to find it’s
name but it was an empty file with a number and the date 2 16 02 obviously something
I was trying to save then. I created it simply by right clicking and making a new folder
and named it 2 16 02. I will also try to connect file management to accounts.
I have never encountered a file I couldn’t eliminate and this issue–
I did have the problem from something Dell sent me when I unzipped a file
and it spilled 20plus icons on my desk that could only be eliminated by
going to Explore(which I’m characterizing as a component of My Computer–
if I’m wrong I’m going to try to get this correct) then Windows Folder>desktop
where those icons with infinite layers cleared immediately. I tell you this
because both times to clear a folder off my desktop I had to go to
a folder in Explorer and use the same named folder.
There seems to be a common denominator.
YOU FIXED THE PROBLEM AND THANKS. I went back again
to Explorer and eliminated the folder easily this time. If you can direct me
to somewhere to read up on the account management and the
physiology of why Explorer was the place to delete this I would really appreciate it.
I found the file with the Norton Unerase Wizard from System
Works (Utilities) and it is titled Page 2 16 02 02 Type html
and it is listed with the IE logo and below it is a copy
with a folder logo but curiously called Type F. Both
were deleted from Explorer.
I will have to wipe and load soon because I am
running RC1 (the beta) from August and I will time out
soon although there is probably a work around for this.
I have a full XP Pro though–I have just been putting this
off. My question is when I do reinstall XP, how would
you advise me to log in–I didn’t know therre was the
category you suggested and I really want to understand
both why your suggestion worked and what the different
account categories are. THE REASON I LOGGED IN
AS AN ADMINISTRATOR IS THAT SO MANY FUNCTIONS
REQUIRE YOU TO BE AN ADMINISTRATOR TO PERFORM.
What you are suggesting, a prime account with Admin. Rights
seems to solve that major problem.
If you can explain why going to Explorer does what
you can’t do from the desktop I would be appreciative.
Thanks a lot for the time and the help.

defrag

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The first thing you should have told us was that your were “I will have to wipe and load soon because I am
running RC1 (the beta) from August “.

This is a complete different world. The Beta (rc1) had several fixes added to it be for RTM. You need to get your self a GOOD Windows XP book, both Woody and Ed Bott have a book out. Also when you install the production version, read the instructions, and when the installer asks about multi-users say “YES” and create at least 2 accounts in addition to the Addministrator that is created for you.

Also let us know which you are using the pro or Home version.

DaveA I am so far behind, I think I am First
Genealogy....confusing the dead and annoying the living

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Sorry Dave. Running RC1 Windows XP Pro since August. Will always say up front what I’m running
when asking for help. I am trying to get the best of both worlds–administrator’s ability to do things
but not to block my access (I don’t understand the implications of the error message that the file was in
use–by whom? by what?)–I don’t understand relationship between user accounts and the file use
when there is only one person who ever uses the computer. But I will. I have the books you mentioned
and a slew of others. I will hit them and concentrate on file management and user accounts. Nothing like
having a snag to spur you to read. I just have to get through them.
1) Can you satisfy my curiosity on why both with my icons that never ended from the zip file before
and now Windows Explorer could get at them when from the desktop I couldn’t? Is it an intimate
connection of Explorer with the Registry and Root? If this is all wet or off base forgive me. But it
is connected to something that got the job done.
2) If y ou see a good article on a web site let me know–I will read up.
3) I noticed in Quick Fixes Windows 2000 O’Reilly Jim Boyce his tip is to log in as as user without
admin. privileges in your primary account because a Trojan Horse can do less damage and Leo
Laporte on Tech TV always harps on that for that reason–he mentioned he does it always when
playing on line games–I know running as a user might prevent you from making changes you regret
but it also might prevent you from making changes. Boyce mentions using the runas.exe utility
I guess from the command line to allow you to run an app or open a console with admin. priviliges.
Do you find that useful if you sign on on install as a user. I will follow your advise when I reload. I’m
suprised, though if you have created an administrator’s password you can’t change when it’s convenient.
(I’m remembering your comment I might have to wipe and reload.)
4) Do you know of a site or place that discusses the changes from RC1 through RC2 to RTM–I’m interested.
5) Also do you have an answer to my question below on saving web pages and emails–that has continued
to plague me for months and none of the options on the File>Save As pulldown work. See my queston
below.

Also what looks like neet blocked paragraphs on the preview is coming out with indented lines on the post–will going to the end of the box fix this?

Thanks much for the time and help.

defrag

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Where did you get your copy of RC1?

I use the “Administrator” account on ALL of my machines as a back door. My prime account has admin rights.

There is no place for the RC1 and RC2 to RTM differences. If you were a beta tester you would have seen the different builds.

As for most of your questions, I think the best thing for you to do get a production copy installed and activated and before you go any further. I feel that those problems are do to the way you installed the OS and the fact that it is RC1. Remember that the Pro version has different items that are NOT in the Home Edition.

DaveA I am so far behind, I think I am First
Genealogy....confusing the dead and annoying the living

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