Can't get rid of a folder on my Desktop

[homebrewer]

I downloaded a Piper Seneca and tried to install it, but the installation failed for reasons I cannot remember right now. I slid the files out of the unzipped folder to put them into the Aircraft and other various folders, then wanted to delete the empty unzipped folder from the Desktop. I cannot do it. I get this message every time I try, even though everything is closed that would preclude the deletion. Any ideas to get rid of the offending folder? Thanks!

[Formula_1]

You might try to remove it in Safe Mode? Reboot and press the 'F8' key at post, then select Safe Mode.

[Hagar]

I've had this problem from time to time. A reboot usually fixes it.

[homebrewer]

A reboot did it. I was up very late last night and was locked into a flurry of downloading and installing, so I did not want to go cold for even as long as it would take to power back up. I thought I had turned my machine off when I turned out the lights, but it was on this morning when I sobered woke up. I tried deleting the folder but again, no joy. I was forced to reboot.

I now have to ask why did this folder not go away when asked? I have never been unable to delete a folder from Desktop. It is something entirely new to me...

[Hagar]

I thought that would fix it. It's quite likely that Windows Explorer did not shut down properly when you closed it. As I said, I've had the same problem myself so it can't be that uncommon.

[microlight]

Yes, pretty common, I think - it happened to me today when I was ripping my new set of CDs for my iPod. Folder created, edit files and copy to a new permanent folder, can't erase old folder. I've had messages in the past indicating thumbnail files still in use, so couldn't erase the folder. I usually wait a while for the system to catch up with itself works, or at worst, do a restart/reboot. No big deal really.

[unstable]

FWIW, this is a symptom of Windows XP's thumbnailing routine that gives you those pretty previews of jpgs you have on your comp. At times, the database software that creates the .db file (which is hidden in each folder) remains running in the background, therefore preventing deletion of a file that's 'in-use' (even though that use is just to thumbnail it). The hidden .db file is the one that's in use.

The only solution I've ever found was (drumroll please)... reboot.

[Wii]

Ok, I use this all the time. Works like a charm
http://ccollomb.free.fr/unlocker/

[ShaneG_old]

When you save to a folder on the desktop, windows keeps this in memory as the defualt save location and won't let you delete it until you save to somewhere else, thus changing the location, or reboot. Windows media player does this with folders also when you rip music from a cd. Rather than rebooting just try saving to a dedicated download folder, then you can delete it.  Also it's always there for use and windows remembers where to put your freshly downloaded zip files.