Delete stubborn files with Unlocker Assistant
Unlocker Assistant is one of those tools that once you start using it you wonder how you ever got by without it. Everyone has run into a file that they want to delete, move, or rename only to be denied because the file is in use. Windows however, in it’s current middle-aged version, still provides no information other than the file is in use. Sometimes it is as easy as remembering to close a notepad window, but often it is not so obvious.
Some common messages you will receive include:
- Cannot delete file: Access is denied
- There has been a sharing violation.
- The source or destination file may be in use.
- The file is in use by another program or user.
- Make sure the disk is not full or write-protected and that the file is not currently in use.
Most times you can suck it up and wait until the next time you restart the computer, but that’s if you actually remember when the time comes. I usually do not. If you are a flash drive user, this utility is even more valuable. There have been too many times I’ve needed to leave quickly and am at the mercy of Windows to release the flash drive or risk losing data. The difference in this scenario is that Windows will not even tell you what file(s) are in use. At this point, I use Unlocker on the whole drive rather than a single file and in seconds am off and running.
There are 2 ways of using Unlocker:
- Enabling the Auto-Start feature will add an icon
to your system tray. If you attempt to perform an operation on a file that is locked, the assistant will popup automatically and ask if you would like to take action. - Right clicking any single or group of files, folders, even an entire drive, and selecting Unlocker.
In either case, if a locking handle is found, you will be presented with the following dialog.
This immediately tells you that the file is locked by Word. From here it would be advisable to close Word, however you could just select Unlock and select an action if you like. If the process is listed as Explorer you can almost always select Unlock without any fear of consequences. While it could be useful, I have personally very rarely if ever had a reason or need to kill the process. When used on an entire drive, as in the case of Flash drives, all locked files will be listed.
If you select Unlocker from the context menu for a file that is not in use, you will instead be presented with the following.
I have yet to encounter a scenario that Unlocker was unable to resolve. I cannot stress enough how useful this is in the case of a stubborn flash drive! If you work with a lot of AVI files, then this tool may be for you also as Windows has a tendency (again, through how many versions now??) to keep a lock on AVI’s sometimes even after a reboot. That takes talent.
Enough already! Take me to the download page.
Filed under: Shell Extensions, System Utilities
