Unlocking a file so I can delete it

[colly]

I attempted to delete Yahoo Messenger this afternoon because it was behaving weirdly.
I used Revo Uninstall which is pretty effective at getting rid of all the little bits that get left behind when uninstalling.
So I was surprised to find Yahoo still sitting there in the Programs folder. Not the whole shebang but quite a bit of it. trying to drag it to the recycle bin didn't work, using Revo Uninstall 'Hunter Mode' didn't either.
I get box telling me that a file is still in use so It can not be moved or deleted.

I have used 'Unlocker' before but that wouldn't touch it so I tried a program called 'Lock Hunter' that wouldn't touch it either.
To do anything at all with it I'm told I need 'Administrator Privileges' Well it might be my computer but it seems I'm not the administrator.

So. How do I find out what's using it ? How do I stop it ? How do I delete it?

Thanks.

 

[John_c]

Try rebooting your PC in safe mode (without network connection), then find the files and delete.

 

[Kiwiavenger]

Try going into task manager and view the processes then find messenger and give it a rather rude termination and then try the uninstallers or drag it to recycle bin.

 

[Red Light]

If it says its still in use, delete it from the running programmes list, then go and try to uninstall it again

 

[Davidc]

Windows 7 sometimes needs to be told to run in administrator mode. Try right clicking on your unlocking program and selecting run as administrator. I can also endorse Red Light's suggestion as it has worked for me as well.

If all else fails take the drive out, mount it in an external caddy, plug it into another computer, and then erase the files you don't want (that works for MACs' disks as well), or borrow a Linux boot disc, start the computer under Linux and erase the files from there (I can only vouch for Ubuntu from personal experience but it should work under other versions)

 

[colly]

Thank you for the suggestions. I'll have a go right after taking the dog out.

If all else fails take the drive out, mount it in an external caddy, plug it into another computer, and then erase the files you don't want (that works for MACs' disks as well), or borrow a Linux boot disc, start the computer under Linux and erase the files from there

err? I think I'll give that a miss. I actually want it to work again.