Windows error message: What do I need to do?

I am trying to empty my recycle bin on a Windows XP machine. Several files give me this error message.

Cannot delete Dc396: It is being used by another person or program. Close any programs that might be using the file and try again.

Click to expand...

There are no programs running on the machine when I get the message. Windows won't let me move or delete the files.

Do anyone know why I get this message and what I can do to delete the files affected?

try to restart first. If that doesn't work you need to figure out what programs are associated with these files. Then you can press CTRL + ALT + DEL and go to the processes tab and find the process that is running that is keeping you from deleting. if you are not familiar with it at all then a google search would be sufficient. If you dont all of the processes then you can also search for those on google. Could be time consuming just use some common sense and it should be a piece of cake.

If rebooting and trying to delete the files again doesn't work, then download
Unlocker here.
It's an explorer extension that will let you right click on the file and unlock it
so it can be deleted.
Good luck