Removing codecs

sponger246 · 02-26-2009, 01:49 PM

I am logged on in the Admin user and I want to remove some broken/non used codecs. When I try to delete them, I get the "permission needed" dialog box and click ok. The computer tries to delete it but I just get the "try again/cancel" box and I click try again but it just keeps looping back to the same box.

Can someone please help.

**asidman** · 02-26-2009, 02:00 PM

There are 2 ways to go about this:
Using device manager
Look at this guide for the correct wy to do it.
Manually locating codecs and using 3rd party tool
You can use this free toolwhich unlocks the file from any processes that are locking the file. WARNING: use this as a last resort

**blah789** · 02-27-2009, 08:01 PM

When you delete codec files you have to make sure nothing is using them. That includes Windows Media Player (obvious), Windows Explorer (less obvious), and thumbnails.
If you have video files on your desktop and they're being previewed using thumbnails, the decoder is in use. You'll have to move them somewhere where they're not visible to you. Doing as much as hovering over a file can call the decoder. Once everything is out of sight, log off, and try deleting the file again.

02-26-2009, 01:49 PM	#1 (permalink)
sponger246 Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 22 OS: Vista	Removing codecs I am logged on in the Admin user and I want to remove some broken/non used codecs. When I try to delete them, I get the "permission needed" dialog box and click ok. The computer tries to delete it but I just get the "try again/cancel" box and I click try again but it just keeps looping back to the same box. Can someone please help.

02-26-2009, 02:00 PM	#2 (permalink)
asidman Will rule the World Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Port Elizabeth Posts: 4,537 OS: XP SP3, Vista SP1, Windows 7 RC My System	Re: Removing codecs There are 2 ways to go about this: Using device manager Look at this guide for the correct wy to do it. Manually locating codecs and using 3rd party tool You can use this free toolwhich unlocks the file from any processes that are locking the file. WARNING: use this as a last resort __________________ Submit New Articles Here Try before posting \| Read before posting \| Advice to New Visitors How to post a Screenshot \| Posting system specs \| Posting images (VERY NB)

02-27-2009, 08:01 PM	#3 (permalink)
blah789 TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 2,333 OS: Windows 2000 SP4 and Windows XP SP3	Re: Removing codecs When you delete codec files you have to make sure nothing is using them. That includes Windows Media Player (obvious), Windows Explorer (less obvious), and thumbnails. If you have video files on your desktop and they're being previewed using thumbnails, the decoder is in use. You'll have to move them somewhere where they're not visible to you. Doing as much as hovering over a file can call the decoder. Once everything is out of sight, log off, and try deleting the file again.