Cannot Delete Zip file Created by SharpZipLib (FastZip)

Question

I'm creating a zip file using the class FastZip from SharpZipLib and once I after I close the program, I cannot delete the file because:

"Cannot delete zip.zip: It is being used by another person or program. Close any programs that might be using the file and try again."

The code that is generating the file is simply this:

fZip.CreateEmptyDirectories = true;
fZip.CreateZip(filesPath + "\\" + this.zipName, filesPath, false, this.zipFilter);

I tried using:

            using (FastZip fZip = new FastZip())
            {
                try
                {
                    fZip.CreateEmptyDirectories = true;
                    fZip.CreateZip(filesPath + "\\" + this.zipName, filesPath, false, this.zipFilter);
                }
                catch (Exception)
                {
                }
            }

But it doesn't convert to iDisposable

score 3 · Answer 1 · answered Dec 04 '08 at 23:43

It looks like it may be a bug with SharpZipLib. The FastZip.CreateZip method has three overloads and two of them create use File.Create such as:

CreateZip(File.Create(zipFileName), // ...

It seems it does not close the stream, so you may be better off using:

string zipFileName = System.IO.Path.Combine(filesPath, this.zipName);
using (Stream stream = File.Create(zipFileName))
{
    fZip.CreateZip(stream, filesPath, false, this.zipFilter, null);
    stream.Close();
}

Technically you shouldn't need to call Close in the using block, but I like to be explicit about it.

I used the code, but it gives the same error...I'm starting to think that the problem is the pc... — LuRsT, Dec 05 '08 at 10:20

score 2 · Answer 2 · answered Sep 15 '11 at 15:34

I actually just solved this problem myself. Turns out that it wasn't SharpZipLib/FastZip. I was sending an email via System.Net.Mail and had attached the FastZipped file as an attachment to that email. When I tried to delete the attached file, I ran into the error which you received. Turns out that all I had to do was call MailMessage.Dispose() after sending the email.

Take a look at any other items within your code which might be holding a lock on the file; try to dispose() or close() those items if possible.

score 1 · Accepted Answer · answered Dec 04 '08 at 11:37

1

Perhaps antivirus is busy checking the file? If not, then get a program that can tell you which programs have files open.

You can look at:

answered Dec 04 '08 at 11:37

Lasse V. Karlsen

380,855
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Nope, turned off the antivirus and it still doesn't want me to delete it. The unlocker didn't help too. – LuRsT Dec 04 '08 at 12:02
SysInternals Process Explorer should also be able to tell you who owns the file. http://www.sysinternals.com – GalacticCowboy Dec 04 '08 at 12:19
Unlocker did it. I didn't see the delete select box at first. – LuRsT Dec 10 '08 at 18:42

score 0 · Answer 4 · answered Dec 04 '08 at 12:08

0

I'm not familier with the FastZip API (so this is just a punt) but do you need to close the archive with something like fZip.Close();

I would have thought that closing the program would have done the same thing but just a guess.

answered Dec 04 '08 at 12:08

DilbertDave

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I though of that too, but the fastZip class doesn't have it :( – LuRsT Dec 04 '08 at 12:10
Does FastZip implement IDisposable? If so, did you use "using" or ".Dispose();"? – GalacticCowboy Dec 04 '08 at 12:20

score 0 · Answer 5 · answered Dec 04 '08 at 12:19

0

Make sure you CLOSE the SharpZipLib stream after you're finished with it, you can do this by wrapping the construction of it inside a "using" statement...

using(Stream s = new SharpZipLibStream())
{
   /*...do stuff, zip stuff.../
}

answered Dec 04 '08 at 12:19

Thomas Hansen

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But, I'm not using a ShrapZipLibStream. I'm using fastzip. – LuRsT Dec 04 '08 at 12:22

RogerMKE · Answer 6 · 2022-11-02T22:36:27.617

0

I know this is a really old issue, but I did encounter it and was able to resolve it by running garbage collection immediately after the Zip operation completes:

GC.Collect()

The garbage collection may not happen immediately, so a delay may also be required. I put my delete in a retry loop, waiting a second or two if the delete fails.

edited Nov 02 '22 at 22:36

answered Nov 02 '22 at 14:42

RogerMKE

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Cannot Delete Zip file Created by SharpZipLib (FastZip)

6 Answers6