How to Delete, Rename, Move a Locked File

Have you ever tried to delete, rename or move a file but get one of the following annoying messages because the file is locked?

The file is in use by another program or user.
Cannot delete file: Access is denied.
Make sure the disk is not full or write-protected and that the file is not currently in use.
There has been a sharing violation.
The source or destination file may be in use.
The action can’t be completed because the folder or a file in it is open in another program.
Cannot delete Folder: It is being used by another person or program.

There are two simple solutions to unlock the file. Using Unlocker to unlock the file, Using Process Explorer to find the process that locks the file and kill the process.

Unlocker

Let’s start with Unlocker. You can download Unlocker from http://www.emptyloop.com/unlocker/, it’s a free application. After installing Unlocker, right click on the file or folder and select Unlocker from the context menu. All applications that might be locking the file or folder will be listed. You can select the applications from list and unlock/kill them to make locked file available again.

Process Explorer

Formerly Process Explorer was offered by Sysinternals.com. Microsoft acquired Sysinternals in 2006. Since then, the application is available in Microsoft website. All sysinternals applications are available inhttp://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/default. You can find Process Explorer fromProcess Utilities link.

To find the locking application, click binoculars icon from toolbar.

Type file/folder name and click Search button, then double click on the process name to focus that application.

Right click on the process and select Kill Process. Locked file/folder will become available to delete or modify.

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