Every day you use your computer, more and more different programs or files appear on it. Some are installed by the user himself, and some are installed without our consent. But, when it comes time to clean the computer when trying to delete a file, an error appears with the text that the file is open in another program or is locked.
Now, I will show you one of the options how you can delete locked files. Of course, we will not look for what exactly blocks the file or in which program it is open. And it won't be easy to do. For all this, we will use a third-party program called Unlocker, which you can download.
When deleting any files, be careful, and it is better to make sure that you know what you are deleting and that it will definitely not harm the operating system.
Removing locked files with Unlocker
After downloading Unlocker, we need to install it on the computer. To do this, run our file and then press the "Next" button several times. The only exception is the step where we are asked to install " Delta Toolbar". By default, the "Quick" item is checked, which will entail the installation of toolbara and the replacement of the home page with "Delta". But, since we do not need this, we mark “ Advanced"And uncheck the boxes below, then proceed to the next stage of the installation. After finishing copying and installing files, click "Finish".
Now it remains only to use it, find the file that we want to delete, and right-click to call the menu, where we find the item "Unlocker"
After clicking, a window with a choice of action will appear. If you want to delete a file, respectively select “ Delete"And click" OK»
Also, using this program, you can rename a locked file. By choosing "Rename", an additional window will appear where you need to specify the name of the document and after clicking "OK", the name of the document or folder will change.
Now, deleting locked files or folders with such an assistant as Unlocker will not be difficult for you. Also, there are cases that some hide their malicious files and you need to remove them. If the article helped you, don't forget to like or retweet and subscribe to the RSS.
A common problem is that Windows refuses to delete a damaged video file, regardless of the choice of keys (Delete key or Shift + Delete combination).
However, such blocking can affect not only video files. In fact, each file can "beat off" the attempt to delete, although the reasons are different.
Deleting Locked Files - Closing Explorer
Some of the more annoying messages are those that abort an attempt to move or delete a file and report that it is in use. If you have closed all applications and Windows still refuses to delete the file, Explorer may have blocked it (for example, to display thumbnails).
Move all other files temporarily to another folder, and then try deleting the folder containing the locked file. If that doesn't work, try getting rid of the file by restarting File Explorer first.
This operation requires the use of the Task Manager. It is called by pressing the key combination Ctrl + Shift + Esc or by right-clicking in the taskbar and selecting the item Launch Task Manager.
Go to the tab Processes, highlight the entry explorer.exe in column Process name and press the button End the process... You can now delete the file using another application, such as any file manager.
Deleting Locked Files - Safe Mode
If the file cannot be deleted after closing File Explorer, run the system is in safe mode.
During the restart, press F8 (on Windows 8, use Shift + F8 instead) when the welcome screen appears on your monitor. Select item safe mode- the "stripped-down version" of the operating system will start. Call Explorer and try again to delete the file.
To get into safe mode, you need to press F8 or Shift + F8 when you see the welcome screen
Remove locked files - external tools
There are many applications that are designed for delete problem files... These tools use a variety of methods to get their way.
For example, they create scripts that run immediately after Windows boots, before the file is locked. Tools of this type include, but are not limited to, FileAssassin, MoveOnBoot, Unlocker, LockHunter, and Delete Doctor.
Remove locked files - change file extension
Sometimes this is the easiest way to delete a file that doesn't want to respond to the Delete key. Select the unnecessary file in Explorer, press F2 and change its extension. For example, a file named "birthday.avi" can be renamed to "birthday.txt".
This method only works when the display of file extensions is enabled. In Vista and Windows 7, you need to open the menu, select Arrange → Folder and search options(in Windows XP: menu Service → Folders settings), go to the tab View and uncheck the box Hide extensions for registered file types... In Windows 8, just check the box File name extensions in the tab View.
Deleting Locked Files - Text Console
When Explorer is defeated while deleting a locked file, you can use the proven command del in the text console. The reasons for refusal usually remain a secret system. One of them may be the file path is too long. Messages usually do not provide a specific reason. On the Microsoft support website, you can find as many as six obstacles preventing you from getting rid of the file. However, there is a method that should help in most cases.
Good day, dear friends, acquaintances, readers and other personalities. Today we'll talk about the program Unlocker .
I think that many of you at least once, but came across the fact that some file (for example DLL) from the folder with the program simply refuses to be deleted, and the system reports that the process is in use, blocked, or, say, you do not have enough rights for this action?
The installation is extremely simple and I will not dwell on it (just an archive with a file for installation and run it).
Just don't forget to set the circle " Advanced"and uncheck" Install delta toobar"that there was no installation of an unnecessary bar - with a search engine (see the picture above).
How to use Unlocker
After installation, you will see the item in the context menu (right mouse button on the file you need) Unlocker by clicking on which you start the program itself, which will immediately try to find the descriptor (blocking element) for the locked file.
In case she finds it (well, or maybe not), you will receive a window that will offer to perform an action with the file / folder you have selected. Here is an example with the found handle:
Well, or if it was not found, then this:
Further use
If you do not evict the program (where the system clock is), then it will automatically respond in cases where the file you are trying to delete is blocked and offer you solutions to this problem without any unnecessary action on your part.
If you use portable-version, then run the required version ( x64 or x32) from the appropriate folder, select the file / folder / application with which you have a problem:
This was information about the old version of the program. Let's talk about a more recent analogue.
Alternative option - iObit Unlocker
The principle, meaning, etc., are about the same, just, as they said in the comments, there is a more current version of the same type of program, but from the company iObit... Supports Win 10, bit width and so on.
It remains only to select an action to unlock and delete / move / rename / copy, and even, if you wish, you can put a tick " Forcibly", which will also unblock and delete all associated blocked processes and subprocesses.
On this sim, perhaps, everything. You can move on to the afterword.
Afterword
Very good, simple and convenient software (more precisely two, of your choice, taste, color and system).
Ideally, of course, keep it at hand for everyone (it can be useful in the fight against viruses and other rags), despite the fact that, in general, it has not been updated for a long time and the latest version of the system, which is declared supported, is Windows 7(which does not prevent her from sometimes working in 8 -ke and 10 -tke).
As always, if you have any questions, additions, thoughts and all that stuff, then welcome to the comments on this post. As for the reaction of antiviruses, I immediately warn you that their behavior is normal and at the time of interaction with Unlocker, often the antivirus needs to be disabled.
Thank you for being with us.
Unlocker is a small free utility with which you can unlock files that are in private access, or are used by system processes for their subsequent removal or other manipulations.
An unlocker is able to unblock almost any type of operating system file that can be used by third-party actions. In the Windows Explorer menu, the program integrates as an additional item, by clicking on which you can quickly remove protection from data to which there is no free access.
The utility supports multilingual mode, including Russian. The application is released in variations for both 32-bit and 64-bit Microsoft Windows systems. Surely every computer user has come across the situation when calling the context menu of a file and pressing the "Delete" item, the system displays a message that access to it is closed and it cannot be deleted. At the same time, the operating system does not provide information on what event the file is occupied with and what exactly prevents its deletion. This is where the "Unlocker" context menu item comes to the rescue.
Using the program, you can not only free the data array and stop the processes themselves, which may be background programs, but also view a list of all ready processes that deny access.
With the help of Unlocker, you can also perform other manipulations with data - delete them, rename and move them. All necessary operations can be performed from the command line. In order to find out all the commands that can be operated in the utility, it is enough to start the Unlocker.exe process in the command line with the additional parameter “/?”.
The first release of Unlocker was released in April 2005. Since then, it has undergone significant changes, the bulk of which was aimed at changing internal mistakes. The installation package of the product itself, its graphical interface, and also the source code have undergone changes. This software is mostly used in game modes, when reinstalling programs and manipulating information. At the moment, the utility supports over forty language packs (in the first edition, only Russian was supported). By default, the application installation package provides for the installation of a proprietary toolbar called Delta Toolbar. The installation of this add-on is optional and can be canceled by the user - this will not in any way affect the quality of the main program.
It is both simple and effective software. It does not have any deep settings, but it perfectly performs a specific task - unlocking information from running actions.
The advantages of using this product are ease of use, free of charge, almost one hundred percent efficiency, low demands on computer system resources, an intuitive concise interface and support for the Russian language. It will help solve an annoying problem that almost all Windows users face and will help you optimize your working time and organize your computer more efficiently.
