I password protected one of my web sites - temporarily - by using a .htaccess file. When I wanted to open the site back up to the public, I deleted the file. But the prompt to enter login information is still preventing access. Since I deleted the file, one may hit cancel and will be able to access the site, but on each page one navigates to, the prompt appears.

Why is the site still showing the prompt, even though the .htaccess file no longer exist? And how do I fix this

Do you have an htaccess in your root folder that could also be causing problems? Also, did you use a cPanel type of blocking access? Check that out.

Also clear your cache, as you could have a cached page that was demanding a login.