Locked Files - Scans are finding locked files - Should I delete

I am running windows XP and scaning with AVG V8. The scans are finding locked
files which AVG cant scan. Is it reasonable for applications to lock files?
Should I delete these files?

Here are the files I found today:

"C:\Documents and Settings\LocalService\Local Settings\Application
Data\Microsoft\Windows\UsrClass.dat";"Locked file. Not tested.";"Locked file.
Not tested."
"C:\Documents and Settings\LocalService\NTUSER.DAT";"Locked file. Not
tested.";"Locked file. Not tested."
"C:\Documents and Settings\Marc S\Local Settings\Application
Data\Microsoft\Windows\UsrClass.dat";"Locked file. Not tested.";"Locked file.
Not tested."
"C:\Documents and Settings\Marc S\Local
Settings\Temp\etilqs_ERZRWLPSIj6DCyEmW5kp";"Locked file. Not tested.";"Locked
file. Not tested."
"C:\Documents and Settings\Marc S\Local
Settings\Temp\etilqs_ERZRWLPSIj6DCyEmW5kp-journal";"Locked file. Not
tested.";"Locked file. Not tested."
"C:\Documents and Settings\Marc S\NTUSER.DAT";"Locked file. Not
tested.";"Locked file. Not tested."
"C:\Documents and Settings\NetworkService\Local Settings\Application
Data\Microsoft\Windows\UsrClass.dat";"Locked file. Not tested.";"Locked file.
Not tested."
"C:\Documents and Settings\NetworkService\NTUSER.DAT";"Locked file. Not
tested.";"Locked file. Not tested."
"C:\hiberfil.sys";"Locked file. Not tested.";"Locked file. Not tested."

Is it reasonable? Of course it it reasonable. It would be unreasonable for
an OS or application to leave a file open to manipulation by any other
process unless it was opened in read mode only. Before you consider
removing anything you better do some really serious study. For example
"ntuser.dat" is part of the registry. The OS would probably refuse to
delete the files it was protecting anyway but it never pays to bait the devil.

I don't use AVG any more myself. Did the program actually tell you that
there was something wrong about these files being locked? Did it suggest
deletion?

If the problem is leftover locked files after a system malfunction,
something MS has never been too careful with, there are ways to clean them
up safely. The mere fact that MS wrote UPHClean suggests that they know
their underlying software is deeply flawed. This application is supposed to
take care of leftovers from botched logoffs and suchlike stuff:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en

It is reasonable to expect the OS to lock files whos contents are being
used.

No, scan in safe mode where less software is actively being used
and less files are locked. Your registry and hibernation files will be
in use (along with some others), but less will remain "unscanned".

For God's sake don't delete those files!
But try this if you can: If you have a second hard drive, load up the OS on that drive,
boot into that drive, and scan your first drive from there. The files won't be locked
because they won't be in use. It's easy to verify that they are safe. I do this about
every six months or so.

Do you feel that the standard licence issued by Microsoft permits one to
load an operating system (frrom the same instalation CD) on to two
separate hard disks if they are housed within the same machine?

I like your idea, btw!

why not delete those files i'm finding about 75-90 of them what are they?
what should i do with them ? i can't find the files anywhere eles when i
highlight them there are no options to do anything i'm confused on all these
files i'm finding

Some of the files may be needed. Just because they weren't
available to be scanned doesn't mean they are malicious and
'hiding' from the scanner.

[sharrn]

I have the same problem. how do i unlock them ?
is that a good idea or are they viruses? i did an Avg scan and it said that i have files that contain macros, what is that and how do i fix it? i would apreciate the help as this is a new computer and realy dont want anything to go wrong with it (:

[drakoven]

Well a macro can be a few different things. Best was to find out is to do a little research on them.
On to the locked files a locked file in the OS system is a file that has to be opened in read-only format. Do not delete them they are needed to even start up your computer. If they are a virus your scanner will tell you then you need to look up the exact file name online to see how to get it off your computer without deleting the wrong file or doing it wrong all viruses are different so they need a different process to get them off the computer.
True they all have the same running process but they attack files in different ways.