Dear Brook
There are two reasons (that I'm aware of) that a .tmp file can't be removed. 1) It has already been removed but the Windows Explorer window or Find File window has not been updated since the file was removed. Since you've rebooted, that cant' be the problem. 2) There is a program running that using the file
You say you have closed "all other programs," but is that entirely accurate
My ZoneAlarm Firewall creates a .tmp file that I generally can't delete, unless of course I close the firewall. My intention is to clean up before defragmenting, but the .tmp file is only a few kB, so I generally don't worry about it. Other programs that run in the background may also use temp files. Before taking these next steps to remove the .tmp file, go take a look at its size, so you'll know for next time if it's worth the trouble
Anyway, aside from closing all the open windows on your desktop, you can also close all the programs on the toolbar near your clock. Also, go to the "Close Programs" window, and see what else can be closed. For instance, after I've closed everything anywhere on my toolbar, including the antivirus, I see that there is still an antivirus program listed in my "Close Programs" list. Except for "Explorer," close the reminaing programs 1-by-1. After closing each program, refresh the Find Files > *.tmp list, or the Windows Explorer window, to assure that the file did not go away on its own. If it's still there, see if terminating the last program released it for manual deleting. Certainly, one of the remaining programs will release that temp file, and then you'll know which one was responsible
Before "really" closing the remaining programs, which will include your firewall, antivirus, anti-spyware etc., make sure you're disconnected from the internet, or else the vultures will attack
This shouldn't be necessary, but you can restart Windoze in Safe Mode, which will eliminate anything from starting besides barebones windows. Then, I'll bet when you go to those files using Windows Explorer, you'll be able to eliminate the temp file. But if you do it this way, you won't know which program was responsible
Speaking of spyware, perhaps you have a program running "stealthfully," without your knowing it. Spyware reports your computer activities, such as keystrokes or websites visited, to the spyware home base. These programs will not show up on the toolbar or "Close Programs" window. It would make sense that they use .tmp files? To eliminate spyware from your computer, download "Ad-Aware" and "SpyBot Search and Destroy." These scan your hard drive and elimlinate spyware. (After downloading them, use their Update functions before spending time scanning your hard drive.) If either utility wants to remove something, let it go ahead and remove it. They never done me wrong, including removing some nasty reporting utility inside Windows Media Player, which continues to work just fine after eliminating the spyware component. Another anti-spyware utility - SpyBlocker - costs money, but unlike the other two, it continuously runs in the background and will stop spyware from entering your computer (from the internet or from shareware CDs, etc). Since I've been running SpyBlocker, neither Ad-Aware nor SpyBot has found anything to eliminate. But I keep them updated and I scan with them occassionally, usually before defragmenting
It would be interesting if you stumbled across active spyware by noticing a stubborn .tmp file
Another idea would be to simply use the name of the temp file in a Google search, and see if you can get a clue to its origin that way
Some anti-spyware software is a hoax, and actually installs spyware, sorry to say. But you're safe with these 3 products
Best luck
-Neil-
