Delete Files in Use in Windows with Unlocker

Tue, Nov 25, 2008

Freeware, Microsoft, Windows

Yet another in a long line of annoyances in Windows, is the inability to delete files that are in use on a particular computer or server. You go to delete a file, and you are prompted with ‘Cannot Delete File: File is in use by another person or program’. You have no idea what ‘program or person’ that this error is referring to, and you then are required to use another program to figure this out. This is most common with malware, that is lingering on your computer, and you can’t rid of it.

Well, I’ve found a simple solution to the problem, and it’s called Unlocker.

Unlockeris quick and simple program, that adds an item to your right-click menu, which then allows you to review where a particular file is attached, so you can kill the appropriate task, and delete the appropriate file thereafter. The below screenshots, give you a better idea.

1. You know this pesky error:

2. You probably havent’ seen this menu item before though. Simply right-click on whatever file you would like to unlock and select ‘Unlock’.

3. And I know you haven’t seen this one. You then can unlock an individual item locked to the file, or simply ‘unlock all’.

4. My job here is done.

You should always keep this handy utility in your aresenal. It will most definitely come in handy on spyware loaded PCs.

Download Unlocker (Compatible with Windows 2000 / XP / 2003 / Vista)

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  3. Problems Ejecting USB Drive ??? Use EjectUSB
  4. Windows Quick Tip #2 – Disable the Windows Error Report
  5. Create your Own Online File Server with HFS

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This post was written by:

T.J. Mininday - who has written 109 posts on The Windows Fix.

I am a long time techaholic, blogger and IT administrator living in the Midwestern United States. I have been associated with computers and technology almost my entire life. The obsession started when I first set my eyes on one of the Atari Entertainment Systems and hasn't stopped since. My Dad paid $3000+ for a state of the art PC back in the day, and I have been on one almost my entire life since. It's truly an addiction that I will never give up. Along with my Tech addiction, I also enjoy scouring blogs and the web for anything that may be interesting to write about. My posts are displayed here at TheWindowsFix, MakeUseOf and ConnectedInternet.

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