How To Delete Spyware and Adware Files with "Access is denied" Messages

Have you ever tried to delete a piece of spyware, adware or other unwanted program - only to ge the "Access is denied" error message?

Often when you are trying to remove adware, spyware or other trojan files you encounter a file that will promt this message; "Cannot delete.  Access is denied.   Make sure the disk is not full or write-protected and that the file is not currently in use."

You cannot delete or remove this file with normal procedures.  Below is a quick outline on how to manually delete these files from your computer.

WARNING - Proceed at your own risk!  If you are  not 100% comfortable with this process, just call us and we can execute this procedure remotely on your computer in a matter of minutes, without you even having to get up from your chair!

1. Click on Start
2. Navigate to Search
3. Select the All Files and Folders search option
4. In the search box, type the name of the file you want to remove
5. Verify that the "Look In" box shows the correct drive, or simply select My Computer
6. Click Search and wait for the system to locate your file (may take several minutes)
7. When you see your file in the results pane, right-click and choos Properties.  Make a note of the location.
8. Example - c:\windows\system32\filename.exe
9. Next, click on Start
10. Navigate to Run
11. Type the letters CMD in the dialog box, and click OK
12. A black box will open, this is called the Comand Prompt
13. Leave this window open, but close all other windows and programs
14. Next, click on Start
15. Navigate to Run
16. Type TASKMGR.EXE in the dialog box, and click OK
17. The Task Manager pane will now show on your screen
18. Click the Processes tab
19. Click on the process named Explorer.exe
20. Click the End Process button
21. Now, go back to the Command Prompt (the black box) and change to the directory where the file is located.
22. Example: to change to the Windows\System32 directory you would enter the following command "cd \windows\system32" (don't use quotes, illustrative only) and press Enter on your keyboard 
23. Now you use the DEL command to delete the file
24. Example: del filename.exe (using your file instead of "filename.exe")
25. Go back to the Task Manager
26. Click File, New Task and enter EXPLORER.EXE to restart the process.
27. Close the windows.
28. Done!

IOT provides pc computer repair, laptop repair, local area networking (LAN) and remote computer support for the Minneapolis, Saint Paul and Twin Cities metro area, as well as Saint Cloud, Rochester and all points in between!  Serving Minnesota since 1995, IOT also provides software solutions, installation and setup and user training services.

For more information about computer repair or networking please visit our website iotsolutions.com or call us at 651-605-2500.