File Delete problems under XP

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I am having trouble deleting files under XP and Windows 7

unlink and DeleteFile fail under Window 7 with access denied, but Win32DeleteFile() works. Under XP, Win32DeleteFile() fails.

The file is not in use, and does not show up process explorer, and can be deleted always without problems using explorer. It probably has a file handle open, but not exclusive, etc as explorer can delete the file, I just can't in the application.

Any ideas?

Thanks!

Posted 11-Apr-13 6:28am

David Fenstemaker

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3 solutions

Solution 1

Hi David,

Actually there is some restrictions in using this API. And these restriction are related to OS and the location from which you are deleting the files.

Please refer to the "Requirements" sections of the MSDN link shared below,
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/bb762265(v=vs.85).aspx[^]

And if your OS still satisfy those requirement then do share your piece of code that is trying to delete the file.

FYI: this API is not supported in Windows 7.

Bye.

Posted 11-Apr-13 6:37am

ramrooney

Solution 3

Another strategy you can try is to send the file(s) in question to the recycling bin. Here is a variation on some of my code (retyped; apologies if there is a compile error):

C++

bool FileToRecycleBin(const char* szFileIn)
{
  char  szFile[1030];
  SHFILEOPSTRUCT  op = {0};

  strcpy_s(szFile, szFileIn);
  szFile[strlen(szFile)+1] = '\0'; // Extra terminating NUL required...

  op.wFunc = FO_DELETE;
  op.pFrom = szFile;
  op.fFlags = FOF_ALLOWUNDO | FOF_NOCONFIRMATION | FOF_NOERRORUI | FOF_SILENT;

  return 0 == SHFileOperation(&op);
}

Posted 12-Apr-13 7:20am

H.Brydon

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David Fenstemaker · Accepted Answer · 2013-04-11T07:01:00

Solution 2

What I have discovered is that Win32DeleteFile() works under Win 7, and unlink/DeleteFile works under XP, so I am using one or the other depending.

Thanks!

Posted 11-Apr-13 7:01am

David Fenstemaker