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Originally Posted by Ricey420
Sorry...but ive never used cmd before. How do i do that?
thanks
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Ricey420, it may be running with explorer. This seems to be a problem with XP, and has happened to me before. This is what I had to do to fix it, as I also tried safe mode. Like krodike said, it is usually due to a file being executed that cannot be executed. However, it is notbecause some filetypes cannot be deleted.
First, you might want to write down the path to the folder with that file. (just go into windows explorer and go to the folder, then copy what is shown in the address bar).
Hit ctrl+alt+delete, and choose task manager. Then sort by name. Find "explorer.exe" (not "iexplorer.exe"). Then hit "end task". This will shut down explorer, so don't be alarmed when your desktop disappears.
Next, click the [file] menu and choose "new task (run)". When the pop-up box shows up, type "
cmd" and hit enter (or click OK). This will bring up command prompt (aka dos)
Then, type "
cd\" and hit enter. It should bring you to the drive root. Next, type "
cd folder_with_file in_it", and hit enter. "folder_with_file in_it" is the path to the file (right click and choose paste if you copied it).
Now, hit "dir" and hit enter, make sure that file shows up there. When you see it, type:
del "filename.exe"
It should delete successfully. Now, close command prompt and in task manager, click [file], "new task" again. This time, type "explorer". That should start explorer up again and your desktop should reappear. Next time, I suggest you don't rename a file to .exe and run it, unless it is a backup 
. It is such a bitch to remove.
note: if you don't shutdown explorer, you will get a message in cmd saying the file is in use.