computer help index
 
 
Search:
"Offering free computer help, hints, and tips to the Internet populace." Now with over 3,490 tips!

Windows XP and DOS

Display Files to be Moved or Deleted on Next Reboot

SUMMARY: Display a list of files scheduled for moving or deletion when you reboot your Windows XP system.

While Windows XP is running, it may be difficult or impossible to move or delete certain files from your system due to file locking. In these cases, applications can schedule files to be manipulated as soon as the system reboots before other applications start. Some examples:

* Setup applications may need to change files that are currently in use. You may notice this occurring when setup applications request you to reboot the machine before running the newly-installed program.

* Some applications may want to clean up temporary or log files every time they restart. One way to do this is to schedule such files to be removed every time Windows boots.

To see which files are queued for moving or removal, you can use a DOS command called pendmoves provided by the Sysinternals website (part of Microsoft TechNet). Simply download the PendMoves.zip file and unzip the executables to your main Windows directory. Then execute the command as follows:

C:\>pendmoves

For example, if you install Adobe Acrobat Reader and do not reboot the system, the following entries may be present:

Source: C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
Target: DELETE

Source: C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\ActiveX\TBM58D.tmp
Target: C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll

Source: C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\AdobeUpdater.rbt
Target: DELETE


The pendmoves command also displays the latest time that an application scheduled a pending move or deletion.

Sysinternals PendMoves - http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/ FileAndDisk/pendmoves.mspx

 

 
Add: Del.icio.us | Digg | Furl | My Yahoo!
 

Discuss This Tip

Print This Tip

Get E-Mail When New Tips are Online

Return to the Windows XP and DOS page.


More in MalekTips:
PuttyMozilla Firefox - Plugins and ExtensionsGoogle Gmail



Display System Menu with Alt key[MODIFIED] View Pages Rendered in Firefox and Internet ExplorerMove the Chat or Labels Section to the Right

RSS Feeds - Subscribe!
 

You want the latest tech tips and tricks in your e-mail Inbox - FREE? Type your e-mail address below and click 'Subscribe'.
 



( sample / details ) ( opt-out instructions )
 


 Free Offer! - Subscribe to the MalekTips computer help list and be one of the first to get new computer tips, articles, and download links! ( privacy policy )  ( opt-out instructions )
This page and its contents are copyright
©1997 - 2008 Envision Programming. ( copyright/disclaimer )

Home | Free Computer Help Newsletter! | Windows | Web Development | DOS and Batch Files | Removing Spyware
Digital Camera and Photography | Computer and Internet | Software | Microsoft Word
Computer Articles | About | Contribute a Tip | Link To Us! | Computer and Technology Links
RSS Feeds |  Contact Us | Advertising | Privacy Policy | Computer Help Forums