Solution Based on Operating System: Parent topic

Windows XP or Windows Server 2003 with NTFS File System Parent topic

Procedure

  1. Log on to the computer with Administrator privilege.
  2. Close all running applications to prevent applications from locking the file, which would make Windows unable to delete it.
  3. If the infected file is in the Windows Temp folder:
    1. Open the command prompt and go to the Windows Temp folder (located at C:\Windows\Temp for Windows XP or Windows Server 2003 computers by default).
    2. Type the following to delete the files:
      cd temp
      attrib -h
      del *.* /S
      The last command deletes all files in the Windows Temp folder.
  4. If the infected file is in the Internet Explorer temporary folder:
    1. Open a command prompt and go to the Internet Explorer Temp folder (located in C:\Documents and Settings\<Your user name>\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files for Windows XP or Windows Server 2003 computers by default).
    2. Type the following to delete the files:
      cd tempor~1
      attrib -h
      del *.* /S
      The last command deletes all files in the Internet Explorer temporary folder.
    3. Check if the files were removed.

Other Operating Systems (or those without NTFS): Parent topic

Procedure

  1. Restart the computer in MS-DOS mode.
  2. If the infected file is in the Windows Temp folder:
    1. At the command prompt, go to the Windows Temp folder. The default Windows Temp folder in Windows XP or Windows Server 2003 is C:\Windows\Temp.
    2. Open the command prompt, and type the following to delete the files:
      cd temp
      attrib -h
      del *.* /S
      The last command deletes all files in the Windows Temp folder.
    3. Restart the computer in normal mode.
  3. If the infected file is in the Internet Explorer temporary folder:
    1. At the command prompt, go to the Internet Explorer temporary folder. The default Internet Explorer temporary folder in Windows XP or Windows Server 2003 is C:\Documents and Settings\<Your user name>\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files.
    2. Type the following commands:
      cd tempor~1
      attrib –h
      del *.* /S
      The last command deletes all files in the Internet Explorer temporary folder.
    3. Restart the computer in normal mode.