File Attributes Removed Attempting to Delete Open File

 Last reviewed: August 22, 1995
Article ID: Q134426
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows NT operating system version 3.1
  • Microsoft Windows NT Advanced Server version 3.1
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation versions 3.5 and 3.51
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server versions 3.5 and 3.51

SYMPTOMS

When you attempt to delete a hidden, system, read-only or multiple attributes file in File Manager and the file is currently open by an application, the following error message appears: 

   File Manager cannot delete <drive>:\<path>\<file name>:
   The process cannot access the file because it is being
   used by another process.
When you choose OK, the file attribute is removed.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows NT versions 3.1, 3.5, and 3.51. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.

KBCategory: kbtool kbbug3.10 kbbug3.50 kbbug3.51
KBSubcategory: ntfilesys
Additional reference words: prodnt 3.10 3.50 3.51 winfile disappear

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Last reviewed: August 22, 1995
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