File handles remain open, preventing deletion.

This happens most frequently when running programs and subsequently deleting them, such as when Steam updates itself or I rebuild a C++ program, but occurs occasionally with other files as well. For example, when Firefox downloads files it saves a *file*.*ext* place holder and places the data as it is downloaded into a *file*.*ext*.part file. At the end of the download, Firefox sometimes fails to delete the placeholder and replace it with the *.part file. This is NOT a bug with Firefox.

To reproduce the problem without fail:

1. I run one of my programming projects (I am using Visual C++ 2008 Express, by the way. Not that it matters much in this case though :P).
2. Exit the program.
3. *Optional* Shift-Right Click the output program and click Delete. It appears to be successful, but if you refresh the folder view you find a phantom file that you cannot manipulate.
4. Try to Clean or Rebuild Solution.
5. Receive the error:
6. 1>------ Rebuild All started: Project: Win32 ScreenSaver, Configuration: Release Win32 ------

1>Deleting intermediate and output files for project 'Win32 ScreenSaver', configuration 'Release|Win32'

1>Win32 ScreenSaver : error PRJ0008 : Could not delete file 'C:\Users\SilentDude56k\Desktop\Screensaver\Win32_ScreenSaver\Release\Win32 ScreenSaver.scr'.

1>Make sure that the file is not open by another process and is not write-protected.

1>Win32 ScreenSaver - 1 error(s), 0 warning(s)

========== Rebuild All: 0 succeeded, 1 failed, 0 skipped ==========

A workaround for this problem is to send the program to the Recycle Bin (omit pressing the Shift key when deleting) before cleaning/rebuilding. I can rebuild without any problems if I do this first.

I am using an Administrator account. My system is clear of any viruses, adware, etc. I have all the latest drivers for my hardware. I am running a genuine copy of Windows 7 Enterprise 64-bit. The paths to these files are far fewer than 260 characters in length as well. Interestingly this problem does not occur on my laptop, which is also running Windows 7 Enterprise 64-bit.

Running Process Explorer and searching for the "Win32_ScreenSaver" handle brings up a result under System. The phantom file disappears once the handle closes. This usually takes a couple of minutes after attempting to delete it with either a Shift-Right Click or a Clean/Rebuild Solution.

A list of what I've tried so far:

1. Disabling all startup programs and all non-essential services, including ones from Microsoft. The problem is still there.
2. Uninstalling all hardware drivers. The problem is still there.
3. Booting into safe mode. This works. The file handle closes immediately upon exiting the program and I can successfully delete it.

I hope all of this information is helpful rather than bothersome. Thank you for your time. I hope we can solve this problem :)