[SOLVED] Cannot delete files, because they are open in system.

[GytisLith]

Hi,

I "uninstalled" Steam, but it left some files and folders. So of course I try to just delete, but they are in use by the system. I tried using safe mode, but it still didn't work. Tried using Unlocker to delete them, no success. No idea what's happening, please help. Also I didn't find anything that caught my eye in processes.

 

[Colif]

tried a restart?

tried deleting them in safe mode?

 

[kerberos_20]

to delete files which system still use, well theres a trick to it.
move that file to another folder within same drive partition, then reboot, then u can delete it

but u do realize if system is using it, it probably needs it?

 

[Colif]

often deleted files remain on the system until you restart it and it flushes ram.

 

[GytisLith]

to delete files which system still use, well theres a trick to it.
move that file to another folder within same drive partition, then reboot, then u can delete it

but u do realize if system is using it, it probably needs it?

I tried moving the folder, but it gives me error. 0x80071aa8

And this is Steam, a game program, I doubt it needs to be here.

 

[MJS WARLORD]

i removed steam from an old pc without a problem , do you have an entry for steam in your start up menu , if you do it could be trying to launch the program you dont have.
As somebody else said short cuts and unwanted folders sometimes cant be removed until a re start.
The easiest to get rid of unwanted items is to run ccleaner on health check , custom clean and registry clean up.

 

[kerberos_20]

u need to move file, not folder

 

[GytisLith]

u need to move file, not folder

Im stupid, or it won't let move because, again, its open in the system

 

[Colif]

safe mode, steam won't be running
go to settings/update & security/recovery
under advanced startup, click restart now button
this restarts PC in a blue menu
choose troubleshoot
choose advanced
choose startup options
click the restart button
choose a safe mode (it doesn't matter which) by using number associated with it.
Pc will restart and load safe mode

if it still doesn't work, what is name of files?

 

[GytisLith]

safe mode, steam won't be running
go to settings/update & security/recovery
under advanced startup, click restart now button
this restarts PC in a blue menu
choose troubleshoot
choose advanced
choose startup options
click the restart button
choose a safe mode (it doesn't matter which) by using number associated with it.
Pc will restart and load safe mode

if it still doesn't work, what is name of files?

I mentioned that I tried safe mode, here are the files:

 

[Colif]

i am blind

maybe the parts under manually removing steam will help - https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=9609-OBMP-2526
could be you need to do the regedit part before it will let you delete them?

backup registry before making any changes - https://neosmart.net/wiki/backup-restore-registry/

 

[GytisLith]

i am blind

maybe the parts under manually removing steam will help - https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=9609-OBMP-2526
could be you need to do the regedit part before it will let you delete them?

backup registry before making any changes - https://neosmart.net/wiki/backup-restore-registry/

It didn't help. Still says the same, open in system.

 

[Colif]

boot from Ubuntu live USB, delete it from inside linux. No parts of windows running to stop it. - https://itsfoss.com/create-live-usb-of-ubuntu-in-windows/

technically you could do same from a windows installer
boot from installer
on screen after languages, choose repair this pc, not install.
choose troubleshoot
choose advanced
choose command prompt
type notepad and press enter
in notepad, select file>open
Use file explorer to delete the folder.

or just from command prompt in winre, all you need is a non working windows.

doesn't mean other things might not have been using it, though I am not sure what you deleted and what you left.

 

[GytisLith]

boot from Ubuntu live USB, delete it from inside linux. No parts of windows running to stop it. - https://itsfoss.com/create-live-usb-of-ubuntu-in-windows/

technically you could do same from a windows installer
boot from installer
on screen after languages, choose repair this pc, not install.
choose troubleshoot
choose advanced
choose command prompt
type notepad and press enter
in notepad, select file>open
Use file explorer to delete the folder.

or just from command prompt in winre, all you need is a non working windows.

doesn't mean other things might not have been using it, though I am not sure what you deleted and what you left.

Alright, first I tried with notepad, it didn't work. But I tried with ubuntu and it worked. Thanks.