Question Can't delete mp4 file

[cool09]

Haven't been able to delete a large mp4 file (7GB). I went to Properties>Security and changed file Permissions to System and still could not delete it.
I booted in Safe Mode and still could not delete file.
I tried playing the file in VLC Player and could not. VLC message said to look at the Log for information (don't know how to do that).
I can play and delete all other mp4 files on my PC.
Using Windows 10 up to date.

 

[BFG-9000]

Browse to it in 7-Zip and delete it in there, or use that to rename it to something Windows can delete.

If you have to resort to a live boot of Linux to delete something in NTFS, best to do a chkdsk afterwards once back in Windows.

 

[cool09]

I have WINRAR installed.
Is there anything else I can do in "Properties" to try and delete it?
The file is on an external HDD. The HDD has been working well with no problems. Should I run chkdsk on the HDD?
I don't know why it won't even play in VLC Player. It played fine last week then I split it in avidemux and now unable to delete it.

 

[dwd999]

As a last resort, boot a usb with a linux distro and use its file manager to delete it.

 

[BFG-9000]

You could always try it the same way as with 7-Zip: but if WinRAR can't delete or rename it directly, try a right-click and Add files to archive with Delete files after archiving checked (under the Archiving options in the General tab). The undeletable file may be deleted, and the new compressed folder should be deletable. The only problem is at 7GB this method may take a long time

 

[johnbl]

stop the service that accesses the file, then see if you can delete it.
i assume VLC media player runs as a service and has a open file handle to the file. stopping the service should close the handle and allow the deletion.

with some bios you can boot into bios and navigate the drive to the file you want to delete and delete it.

most likely just a media player service needs to be stopped.

I think there are tools to tell you what has the lock on the file. Will take a quick look.
you might try this Microsoft tool:
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/downloads/pendmoves
movefile can mark a file for deletion on reboot.

 

[stonecarver]

https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/3841-add-take-ownership-context-menu-windows-10-a.html

I have had every PC going back to at least the beginning of windows 7 with a script that puts the take ownership in your drop down menu when you right click on a file or folder.

I learned from bastard latching files in Windows Xp days and how hard they were to delete. The added script lets you right click any stuck file take ownership and than have control of what you want to do with that file.

If you need a example if you went to delete say your Firefox manually by going to every location that has Firefox folders and files. Go ahead and see what will and what won't let you throw away or shred.

I you decide to shred those Firefox locked files you will get an error saying process can't be completed.

With that script of take ownership you just right click the stuck file choose the take ownership than the Command Prompt "CMD" window will pop up and it will read through the files finish and go away.

now shred those Firefox files. Done.

Now you have control to trash or rename or move.

If the MP4 file is locked this will let you take ownership and than throw away or shred.