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Using Windows XP. File Explorer stops deleting files when it hits a file which is use. Is there a way to make it skip all files which are in use and just delete the others? If you will recommend a file explorer alternative, please mention the free one(s).

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may be xcopy can help in moving files to the NUL device. Didn't try it myself but if you look at all the comandline parameters... – Ice May 10 '10 at 21:56
You cannot move files with xcopy, only copy. – Jawa May 11 '10 at 6:18
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Try total commander, I know it's not free, but you get a 30 day trial.

When deleting, if you hit files that are in use it offers you a choice of skipping that one or skipping all.

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You can use the del command in regular Windows Command Prompt (cmd.exe), it skips all locked/in-use files and deletes all the available files.

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How do you get delete subfolders with it? – Tony_Henrich May 11 '10 at 15:50
del removes files only, you can use /s parameter to remove files from subdirectories (all directories remain). Command rmdir /s <path> removes folder specified with <path>, all it's subfolders and all files in them. – Jawa May 12 '10 at 7:40
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