On some occasions it is likely that we have tried to delete any file and we have received an error message, warning us that it is not possible to carry out the operation because the file is in use. We close all the programs, we try again and there is no way to delete it, the file is locked. To solve this problem, today we are going to see a series of programs that will help us to erase all types of files that have been blocked, preventing their deletion.
Reasons why a file is locked
That we cannot delete a file because it is blocked by the system can cause us more than a headache looking for what the source may be and how to fix it. The causes for this to happen can be several and we can find error messages such as:
- Cannot delete file: Access has been denied.
- Check that the disk is not full or write protected and that the file is not currently in use.
- The source or destination file may be in use.
- The file is being used by another program or user
A possible solution is to restart the computer. In this way we make sure that the memory is freed and all the applications are closed and once started we can delete the file without problem. But this, on many occasions, can also be a nuisance, since we will have to make sure we have everything well kept and stop our work.
So that we do not have to resort to turning off or restarting our computer when we cannot delete a locked file, we can choose one of the following applications, which will be of great help.
Programs to delete locked files
IObit Unlocker
This application will be very useful when it comes to deleting files that we cannot delete directly from Windows when they are blocked. IObit Unlocker allows you to unlock and manage files and folders to always keep you safe and available. We will have an intuitive interface from where we can manage different directories, in addition to offering full compatibility with the Windows file explorer. Releasing the file will be as simple as dragging it inside the application window.
IObit Unlocker is a free application and compatible with Compatible with Windows 10/8/7 / Vista / XP. We can download it from the developer’s website.
LockHunter
This tool is a file unlocker that will allow us to erase all types of files that are blocked, preventing their removal by traditional methods. This application allows us to unlock, delete, copy or rename any file that is blocked, as well as directly kill the blocking process. Also, it allows to eliminate hard disk locking processes, as well as to delete files in the recycle bin, so that we can restore it if we delete them by mistake.
LockHunter is compatible with Windows 10/8/7 / Vista / 2003 / XP and has 32 and 64 bit support. It is a free tool that we can download from its website .
Unlocker
It is a tremendously simple tool with which we can unlock files that do not allow us to be deleted in the traditional way. The application does not have more options or configuration options, its use is directed by and to solve the problems we have with any locked file. With Unlocker we will be able to close any process that can block the file or unlink it so that its deletion is possible.
Unlocker is compatible with Windows 2000 / XP / 2003 / Vista / 7 / 10. It can be downloaded for free from its official website.
Wise Force Deleter
This application will help us to erase all those files that may have been blocked by the system, even if they are not open, something that can be very annoying. Deleting the file will be as easy as simply selecting it from the application interface. Wise Force Deleter is designed to remove any kind of impediment by which Windows has locked a file. It has an intuitive and easy to use interface so that we do not have any problem in being able to use it.
Wise Force Deleter is a Windows compatible application that we can download for free .
Free File Unlocker
With Free File Unlocker we will be able to eliminate all types of files that are currently used, blocked, occupied or undetectable. With this tool we will be able to unlock used files or folders so that an error message stops appearing every time we try to rename, move or delete them. It can also be used to remove malware that is difficult to remove, as well as viruses and Trojans. It is fully integrated with Windows File Explorer, so a simple right-click will allow us to unlock any file or folder.
Free File Unlocker is compatible with Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista, 2003 and XP, with both 32 and 64 bit versions. You can download it for free from their website.
FileASSASSIN
This application allows us to delete any type of file that is blocked on our computer for various internal reasons or due to a virus or malware. Through its advanced programming techniques, FileASSASSIN will take care of downloading the module, closing remote handles and completing any process to eliminate each of the blocked files. It does not need installation, we will only need to put the path where the locked file is and choose one of the three methods of safe removal.
FileASSASSIN is a free application for home users and compatible with Windows. We can download it from the developer’s website .
ThisIsMyFile
This powerful tool is a blocked file remover, which will also allow us to know in advance which process is the one that is blocked. There are several methods to delete the files, depending on the degree of lock you are in. In this way we can kill the process that blocks it and delete the file or restart the computer to block it and delete it. The process is so simple that we only have to drag and drop the file in the main menu of the application.
ThisIsMyFile is a free application that is compatible with Windows 10, 8.1, 7, Windows Server 2000, 2008, 2016 and Windows XP, both 32 and 64 bits. We can download it from its official page .
DeadLock
This program will allow us to unlock all kinds of files and folders, taking position of these files to be able to move, copy or delete them quickly. It allows you to perform various actions such as unlocking the file to continue using it or permanently deleting it . The application is integrated into the Windows context menu, so unlocking or deleting a file will be as easy as clicking on it with the right mouse button and selecting this application.
DeadLock is a free application that we can download directly from its website .
Delete Doctor
This application has been developed to eliminate all types of files that are blocked by the system or by viruses or that are corrupt. It is also capable of deleting index.dat files , in which Internet history is stored, scheduling them to be deleted when we reboot the system. Unlocking and deleting a file will be as easy as dragging it to its main menu or from Windows Explorer by right-clicking on it.
Delete Doctor is a free application compatible with all versions of Windows that can be downloaded from the developer’s website .
