> open a command prompt
>
> ctrl-alt-del
>
> end task - explorer.exe
>
> alt+tab to prompt, go thru the dir tree until you get to the file you want to
> kill
>
> del file
>
> ctrl-alt-del -> new task explorer.exe
>
> shouldn't even kill any other progs, a few things may disappear from the systray
> tho, but they'll still be running (icon just won't reappear for some of them)
> anyway, it'll save you a reboot and everything else just runs happily along ;)
>
> _ _ - - = = Pr3tty F1y = = - - _ _
>

Using the MS PowerToy "Command Prompt Here" is useful, as it lets you right-click on the parent folder and open a Command prompt on that folder, thus negating the need for navigation (though using TweakUI lets you set a key for folder-name completion, which is mighty helpful for navigation...).