How to delete locked files in Windows (Part 2)

Posted on January 28, 2008 at 6:15 am

Automatically deleting undeletable files

…following on from Part 1 where we discussed the process by which you can delete ‘undeletable’ files manually, here we will discuss the automatic method, using a couple of super little freeware products.

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If you don’t feel confident enough to use DOS and cmd prompts then there are several programs on the market both freeware and licensed that perform these deletion processes automatically. We won’t discuss the licensed ones here simply because there are free ones that do just the job.

Freeware Product 1 – Unlocker

Unlocker is a freeware program that runs from the right click menu. It is very simple to use and has worked without exception in my experience.

1. To delete a file simply right click on the file you are having problems deleting and click ‘Unlocker’.

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2. The Unlocker application will launch. If the file requires a process to be killed before it can be deleted, then the following dialogue box will be displayed:

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3. Simply click Unlock all and a further dialogue will be displayed asking for an ‘action’ to be performed. Choose Delete and click OK.

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The Unlocker application will confirm the deletion has taken place.

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The Unlocker program has closed down any programs preventing the file from being ‘actioned’ (deleted), and has deleted the file. Its as simple as that.

Freeware Product 2 – Remove on Reboot Shell Extension

Remove on Reboot Shell Extension is another program which works from the right click menu. However it is a file specific program and does not work from folders (i.e. you have to be in the actual file itself for the right click menu option to appear).

1. With this tool simply navigate to the file you wish to delete.

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2. Choose Remove on Next Reboot and the program will display the following message.

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3. Click Yes and the file will be deleted ONCE YOU RESTART YOUR COMPUTER.

There is no conflict with programs holding the files permissions in this regard, because the ‘Remove on Reboot’ program deletes the file at reboot, i.e prior to any processes starting up.

Both programs are very slick and as you can see, extremely simple to use. I have yet to be foiled by a file that cannot be deleted with either of these programs, and are spyware/adware free.

This is a guest post by Neil Henry, a technology enthusiast.

[tags]delete undeletable files, delete undeletable folders, delete files, delete folders, file delete, recover deleted files, remove files, undeletable, cannot delete files, cannot delete folders[/tags]

» Filed Under Computer Tips

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Comments

6 Responses to “How to delete locked files in Windows (Part 2)”

  1. MJ said on : January 28th, 2008 at 9:46 am

    This post is a big help.
    I read your blog very regularly and it’s GREAT !
    Thanks a lot and keep up the great work.


  2. Neil Henry said on : January 29th, 2008 at 4:36 pm

    Thx… As are many of the blogs on this site. Highly informative. Long may everybody keep posting valuable tips.


  3. Subrata Das said on : October 2nd, 2009 at 12:25 pm

    How to delete locked files in Windows (Part-1 and Part-2)
    I have read the article thoroughly but what about that files which are not accessible or ‘unlocker’ takes no action ?


  4. JS said on : March 16th, 2010 at 8:15 am

    Thanks so much! I have had a couple of files on my computer for the longest time. Just simply because access was denied. Even tho I could not delete the files with your cmd and taskmgr instructions, due to me being a novice and maybe not quite doing it properly. The advise on getting unlocker was very successful. Again thank you, even tho these files really took up no space, it is still a blessing to see them gone.


  5. Chris said on : April 6th, 2010 at 5:42 am

    Unlocker is a great tool that I have used for several years. The problem is I can not find a version that work on 64bit systems.


  6. jg log in said on : July 22nd, 2011 at 9:29 am

    unlocker can be defeated i know i spent two hours with it last night and it failed to remove some files on my f drive that were left over from the last crash of xp.

    Don’t waste your time on the blurb its a fail like half a dozen others I’ve tried.


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