I get a "Action can't be completed..." message?

[werekenn]

I'm trying to delete a file and I'm running into 3 problems. First I can't
just delete the file because I get a message that says "The action can not be
completed because the file is open in another program." I get this message in
Window explorer with no other files or programs open.

2nd problem that generates the same message happens when I try to rename the
file from windows explorer.

Same file, 3rd problem: the file opens as a read-only - I can't change this
using properties - I've tried many times - even if I have full control. If I
have the file open and i use save as the new file automatically becomes a
read-only file. then I end up with problem #1 again. I now have several
copies of this file and I only want one.

The file was sent to me by email by the original author. She doesn't
understand why I can't rename or delete.

 

[Terry Farrell]

With all applications closed, find your user temp folder: it should be
co9mpletely empty but is probably full of abandoned temp files including a
Windows locking file associated with the document you cannot work on. Delete
all the files in the folder.

 

[werekenn]

Thanks for the suggestion. It allowed me to get rid of the extra copies that
I ended up making when tyring to rename the file. However, I still can't
delete the file I downloaded from my email - it does have the number 2 in
brackets at the end, which tells me there's another file somewhere... but
where?

searching for the file name without the (2) does not reveal a file on any of
my drives.
Lindsay

 

[Terry Farrell]

If it was attached to an email and you didn't save it to your local HDD
before editing it, the other copy is buried somewhere in the Internet
Temporary Folder. These are usually excluded from Searches. You need to go
into Advanced Search and make sure that you include temporary system files
in the search.

Terry

 

[werekenn]

I used advanced search and included all non-indexed, hidden and system files.
success!! The file is now gone. Thanks for your help.