Folder Delete

CAB · Post by **CAB** » 2010 Jun 25, 14:13

Great software, Thanks.

I do have a problem using Windows 2000.
I can not delete or send a folder to the recycle bin as I get a message
that the folder is in use or sharing violation. I've tried browsing other folders & right clicking the folder to delete but no success.

Post by **nikos** » 2010 Jun 25, 16:38

are you trying to delete the folder from the tree? that can get you in trouble. Best find the folder in a normal pane (to the right) and delete it from there

TodManPla · Post by **TodManPla** » 2010 Aug 28, 03:08

Hello Nikos. Great software indeed. Many Thanks.
I have the same problem with 1.8.0.11 Lite on Win 7 64-bit.

x2 is locking thumbs.db for the preview pane and won't allow the folder deletion.

The error is "The action can't be completed because the file is open in xplorer2 - explorer replacement. Close the file and try again. Thumbs.db".

Clicking the "Try Again" button does not help.

Left-Click another folder, then right-click on the original folder and select delete from the context menu also does not help (as CAB has mentioned). I expected that to release the file from the preview.

I have "Don't lock browsed folder" ticked in options-advanced.

I've been using xplorer2 for some time now, and this has only started happening recently. It is happening quite frequently.

Post by **nikos** » 2010 Aug 28, 11:34

xplorer2 doesn't use thumbs.db file at all, this must be a false reporting. Switch to the containing folder and delete the folder from there

TodManPla · Post by **TodManPla** » 2010 Aug 28, 14:07

No, it's not false reporting, i just re-created the problem.
Yes i am in the containing folder, and can't delete the folder for the reason reported above.
It doesn't happen all the time, but it is frequent.

Never mind, thanks for the help.
I've considered buying the Pro version for a while now, but this problem is a showstopper for me, and i thought it should be reported.

Many thanks Nikos for an excellent product that you generously provide for free.
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Kilmatead · Post by **Kilmatead** » 2010 Aug 28, 16:34

TodManPla wrote:No, it's not false reporting, i just re-created the problem.

As Nikos said, x2 does not use thumbs.db in any way, so it cannot be "locking" it. Rendered images and thumbnails are not cached, and so have no connexion to Windows Explorer's databases.

If x2 is being reported as the guilty party, one possibility is that you have an active shell extension (possibly installed by an image viewer/manipulation type program), and that is actively holding the file. Use ShellExView to see what may be installed.

Whether you choose to upgrade to the Pro version or not is a personal choice of course (Pro is fully x64, not x86 as the Lite version is), but at least don't make the decision based on an erroneous assumption. Many things could be at fault here, from background tray applications to 3rd-party plug-ins that were installed for Windows Explorer, to shell extensions as mentioned above. Often, simply restarting windows (a proper full restart, not just logging off or "sleeping") will release these sorts of things.

TodManPla · Post by **TodManPla** » 2010 Aug 30, 12:13

The problem is solved. The short answer - it is a Windows "feature" and not a problem with xplorer2. Apologies for my misunderstanding (and a longish post).

Thanks Kilmatead for reminding me that shell extensions will "report" as part of the parent process. I originally took the "false reporting" comment to be in reference to me rather than Windows. :oops: :oops:

Once i re-created the problem in Windows Explorer, i started to understand what was happening. I'll explain the problem for the benefit of the OP and others....

Windows creates Thumbs.db files whenever a folder is browsed that contains images. The "feature" is that on creating the file, Explorer then locks it, which means the folder cannot be deleted. There's a long discussion of this here...
http://www.windows7taskforce.com/view/1149
...which obviously achieved nothing!

The solution is not to allow the creation of thumbs.db files in the first place. Prior to Windows 7 this could be done in Control Panel - Folder Options - "Do not cache thumbnails". Microsoft have removed this option in Windows 7 and it now must be done using the Group Policy Editor as described here...
http://www.technoleros.com/turn-off-cac ... -db-files/

Thanks Kilmatead, i've discovered the errant Shell Extension. It's called Explorer.exe aka Windows. We live and learn.

Thanks again Nikos for an excellent product.

Kilmatead · Post by **Kilmatead** » 2010 Aug 30, 12:33

...and for those who don't have the Local Group Policy Editor (only available in Windows Professional, Ultimate, and Enterprise), use this registry solution instead.

Glad you solved it.

TodManPla wrote:I originally took the "false reporting" comment to be in reference to me rather than Windows.

Nikos is a programmer - they aren't especially known for social graces, tact, or the ability to make friends in crowded places.

That he now finds himself all grown up saddled with a wife and baby is something of a social miracle.

TodManPla · Post by **TodManPla** » 2010 Aug 31, 15:29

Nikos is a programmer - they aren't especially known for social graces,

Hehe, i am a programmer too. What are these social graces of which you speak?

...cheers.