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 Can't delete unused .mdf file

Author  Topic 

dbthj
Posting Yak Master

143 Posts

Posted - 2009-07-13 : 12:26:08
SQL 2000, Enterprise 32bit, Windows 2003

I have old .mdf and .ndf files that are not attached to any database. They are large and I need to delete them. I can't. Windows says something is using them. Tracing the handle and PID it shows sqlsrvr.exe is using it. Beats me what it is using it for.

This is a production system.
Is there a way to release that handle and delete the files without restarting SQL?

dbthj
Posting Yak Master

143 Posts

Posted - 2009-07-13 : 12:31:45
My bad. Please Ignore. They ARE attached.
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net1tek
Starting Member

4 Posts

Posted - 2009-07-14 : 01:41:26
Yes I had the same problem. Get the freebie "Unlocker". Install. Then right click the folder to delete and click "Unlocker". It will unlock the process and delete the file. Be patient sometimes it takes a minute or two. Hope this helps
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carlo.santos
Starting Member

1 Post

Posted - 2010-12-15 : 07:18:57
unspammed
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