Tool to determine what has locked a file

Question

Every once in a while when I try to remove a file I have been working with, Windows tells me I cannot remove it, because some application is still using it.

Sometimes it's just my own stupidity, and closing the app I was working with releases the file, but sometimes I cannot for the life of me imagine any of the remaining applications holding the file.

Sometimes when I close everything I have started, it is still reported as locked and not deletable.

Is there any low-level tool that I can point at a file that can tell me which applications are holding a reference to it, to diagnose how to resolve this without resorting to a reboot and delete cycle?

Answer 1

Unlocker should do the trick.

You can select a file by running the program, or just use the right click context menu:

Answer 2

Sysinternals Handle or Process Explorer

Answer 3

I like WhoLockMe. Shows up as an explorer extension, really handy.

Answer 4

LockHunter can unlock any handlers that may have locked your files or folders. Unlike similar freewares, it supports both 32 and 64-bit Windows.

It is a free tool to delete files blocked by something you do not know. LockHunter is useful for fighting against malware, and other programs that are blocking files without a reason. Unlike other similar tools it deletes files into the recycle bin so you may restore them if deleted by mistake.

• Shows processes locking a file or folder
• Allows to unlock, delete, copy or rename a locked file
• Allows to kill locking process
• Allows to remove locking processes from hard drive
• Integrates in to Explorer menu
• It deletes files into the recycle bin, so you may restore them if deleted by mistake
• Supports both 32 and 64bit Windows