Git a glitch on one file and cannot delete it.

[xanatose]

I got a .pdb file created by visual c++ compiler that does not want to be deleted.

Usually, when this happen, I just take ownership of the file and then delete it. But this one says "cannot display owner" and does not let me take ownership. Not even when logged as Administrator.

Besides formating the computer and reinstalling windows. What are my alternatives to get rid of this pesky file?

[anunitu]

There is a program named unlocker that might help,but not always. The best way I always liked was a clean dos boot disk(you can do that from CD now) and delete it under pure DOS

[dedndave]

you can also use HiJackThis to delete a file on reboot

[hutch--]

I have occasionally had the problem and while Unlocker works fine on files locked by the system or sometimes by something in the registry, file delete errors tend to be file system errors which you can generally fix by running CHKDSK on the drive.

[sinsi]

Yes, first chkdsk /r just to make sure the drive isn't cactus.
If that doesn't work get a linux livecd, boot from it then delete the file.

The only time I couldn't take ownership was when I installed hyper-v to dual boot, when I removed it there were files left that would not delete.
I ended up formatting then reinstalling, mainly because there were lots of files left by hyper-v (me lazy) and I wanted to reinstall anyway (six months were up).

[clive]

Can you rename it?