How to Unlock and Delete Stubborn Files or Folders on Windows 11/10?

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You might have come across files that you want to delete but cannot do so which is why we have brought you this risewindows article for you. Here in we are going to discuss how to tackle the situation if you are having trouble deleting a file or folder. For example, a few files may become corrupted and unable to be erased as a result of an improper shutdown computer or a virus assault. Furthermore, a program or service may be using the file you want to remove, and you are unable to determine which program or service is doing so. A freeware application may come in handy here.

You can also erase a stubborn file without the assistance of a third party, but you must complete a number of chores. Restart your computer in safe mode first, and then try to delete any files that you were unable to erase in regular mode. It is a time-consuming process, and no one has such times in this hectic world. Everyone wants to get their work done as soon as possible.

A few good tools can assist you in eliminating stubborn files that you cannot erase using standard processes.

IObit Unlocker

IObit Unlocker is a free tool that comes in handy when you’re having trouble removing a file. It fixes difficulties like “cannot remove files,” “access is denied,” “The file is in use by another program or user,” or “There has been a sharing violation” problems. This small program allows you to handle all of your files the way you desire.

IObit Unlocker’s “Unlock & Delete,” “Unlock & Rename,” “Unlock & Move,” and “Unlock & Copy” features make it easy to unlock and manage files and folders to keep them safe and accessible. Simply drag or drop the “cannot remove files” to IObit Unlocker once you find them. You can then rapidly unlock, rename, copy, or relocate them as you see fit. There is no need for a complicated operation.

The program also has a “Forced Mode,” which is useful if the unlocker app is unable to unlock and delete data in normal mode; it will remove those files when you restart your computer. After installing the application, it also integrates with the right-click context menu, making it much easier to delete files/folders. Simply right-click the file you can’t delete or remove and choose “IObit Unlocker” from the context menu. The unlocker program will launch; click the option “Unlock & Delete” to complete your task.

Download IObit Unlocker

The IObit Unlocker software runs on Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 10, and 11. You can get the most recent version of this program from its official website.

Unlocker

Unlocker is yet another free application that has been on the market for quite some time. Because of its small size and restricted options, we prefer to use this program. After installing the program, it will also be integrated into the right-click context menu, making the work easier.

Unlocker allows you to delete files that are currently in use, protected, or prohibited. If you’ve ever attempted to delete a file but were unable to do so due to a notice that says “The source or destination file may be in use” or “The file is in use by another program or user”. Unlocker is the ideal answer for you. If the file is truly protected, a protection window will appear. Select Unlock All and this tool will handle the rest. If the file is not protected, you will be allowed to delete it, rename it, or move it to another folder at that time.

If you are unable to delete a file or folder, right-click on it and select Unlocker from the context menu.

The Unlocker app will now launch. Choose the desired action and press the OK button.

Download Unlocker

The Unlocker application works with Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 10, and 11. You can get this program by clicking here..

Wise Force Deleter

Wise Another useful application that allows you to erase stubbornly locked files/folders is Force Deleter. When your computer refuses to erase a file, Force Deleter can help you out. Files get corrupted for a variety of causes, including file/folder corruption, virus/malware infection, and the use of the file by another process, among others. When you attempt to delete a file, it may fail with an error message such as “Cannot delete file: Access has been denied, a sharing violation has occurred, the source or destination file may be in use, the file is in use by another program or user, and ensure that the disc is not full or write-protected, and that the file is not currently in use.

Wise Force Deleter is a one-stop solution for all of these issues. It integrates itself into the right-click context menu after installation. That is, you can use Wise Force Deleter to easily remove a file by right-clicking on it and selecting the Force Delete option.

It works with 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows, including Windows 11, 10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista, and XP.

FileAssassin

FileAssassin is a free tool that assists you in deleting a file or folder that you are unable to erase due to a virus or spyware attack on your computer. It assists you in terminating the process, unloading modules, and closing remote handles. It is also useful to remove suspicious malware files from your computer that you are unable to remove. Its simple user interface allows you to swiftly erase any files or folders with a single click.

When you run this utility, click on the three dots (…) to select a file or folder to delete, and then click on the Execute button. This tool also supports drag and drop, which means you may drag the file to the text box area where you wish to delete it and then click on the Execute button to finish the deletion. The software will terminate all processes that are locking the file/folder, and the selected file or folder will be permanently deleted from your computer.

NoVirusThanks File Governor

NoVirusThanks File Governor is a powerful file eradication application for the Windows operating system. Its user interface is well-organized and visually appealing. Apart from unlocking and deleting locked files/folders by any Windows process, it also displays some extra information on the file that you wish to delete, such as whether the program is now in use or not, if the source or destination file is in use, and so on.

There are different alternatives for deleting files and directories. This utility assists you in unlocking files and directories used by other programs that cannot be erased manually. It gives you the ability to delete files that generate the following errors: “The source or destination file may already be open,” “Cannot remove file: Access is refused,” “The file is now being used by another program or user.” This application securely shuts all open handles of locked objects, allowing you to delete the locked files and folders. When you download and install it on your computer, it adds itself to the right-click context menu with the default settings. As a result, you can quickly unlock a file or folder by right-clicking on it and selecting Unlock with File Governor.

File Governor Features

  • Unlock Locked Files: It enables you to unlock files that cannot be removed or are in use by other program in a secure manner.
  • Unlock Locked Folders: You can safely unlock all files within a folder so that you can easily delete it.
  • Search Locked Files: From the application interface, scan files and folders for locked files.
  • Terminate Processes: This option allows you to end processes that are using a locked file or folder.
  • Close Open Handles: This application closes all open handles and unloads loaded DLL modules safely.
  • Unlock All with a Single Click: This feature allows you to unlock all locked objects with a single mouse click.
  • Explorer Context Menu: After installation, it interacts with the File/Windows Explorer context menu, making it simple to scan files and directories by right-clicking.
  • Remove Malware: This utility can be used to unblock harmful malware that locks files to prevent deletion.
  • Tiny in Size: It is less than 2MB in size.
  • No SpywareAdware: There is no spyware, adware, or other pests in the software; nothing additional is installed.
  • Free to Use: This program is absolutely free to use for both personal and professional purposes.
  • It is compatible with all Windows versions, including Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 10, and 11. (both 32-bit and 64-bit).

Download NoVirusThanks File Governor

NoVirusThanks File Governor’s free utility can be downloaded from its official website.

EMCO UnLock IT

EMCO UnLock IT is a simple and effective solution for unlocking files and folders. This software gives you complete control over system, application, and service-locked resources. The software detects a list of locking processes for a locked resource and lets you unlock it by shutting file and library handles or terminating locking processes. The application also interfaces with Windows Explorer, allowing you to unlock folders and files with a single click in the context menu.

When you try to alter, rename, relocate, or delete a file or folder, you receive a Windows notice stating that access to the resource is denied or that it is in use by another program. In most circumstances, this warning cautions that a file or folder has been locked, but it’s not always clear what to do without help. EMCO UnLock IT can help you unlock such a file or folder.

EMCO UnLock IT recognizes many sorts of locks that prevent resource management. If a resource is blocked by running processes and services, the program discovers the open files and library handles that are blocking the resource, as well as the processes that are holding the locks. This tool assists you in unlocking such procedures and deleting a locked file or folder. The application attempted to unlock and delete in regular mode first; if this was unsuccessful, it would be erased on the following boot. If the problem is caused by insufficient permissions, the program grants the necessary rights.

Download EMCO UnLock IT

It is absolutely free for both personal and professional use. EMCO UnLock IT can be downloaded from its official website.

LockHunter

Another secure file unlocker mentioned in the article is LockHunter. It also assists you in deleting files that have been stopped by anything you do not know and is entirely free to use. LockHunter is helpful in the fight against malware and other applications that unjustifiably restrict files. It deletes files into the recycle bin, unlike other unlocker applications of a similar nature, so you may recover them if you accidentally delete them.

LockHunter Features

  • It provides thorough explanations of the procedure.
  • Allows the hard drive to be cleaned of locking procedures.
  • Completely free for personal and professional use.
  • Enables the unlocking, deletion, duplication, or renaming of locked files.
  • Supports Windows versions 11, 10, 8, 7, Vista, Server 2003, and XP in both 32 and 64 bit configurations.
  • Files that are accidentally deleted are placed in the recycle bin where you can retrieve them.
  • If it isn’t possible during the current session, can remove a file during the next OS restart.
  • It displays any processes that have a file or folder locked.
  • Allows you to kill the locking process.
  • Can unload DLLs from processes.
  • Allows for simple file or folder deletion by integrating into File Explorer’s menu.

Download LockHunter

LockHunter can be downloaded from the official website.

WipeFile

A freeware unlocker tool with few parameters is called WipeFile. By simply dragging and dropping, you can unlock and delete a file or folder. Drag a file or folder to the text area of the WipeFile application and click the Wipe button if you are unable to erase it using the standard procedure. They will be unlocked and removed from your PC using this software.

WipeFile entirely overwrites the information, unlike the other unlocker program, making it impossible to later restore the files or rebuild their contents. The creator of WipeFile claims that it supports 14 different wipe methods, including two US Navy standards, the US Department of Defense standard, US Air Force standards, and NATO standards.

Download WipeFile

WipeFile can be downloaded from this page. It works with Windows XP through Windows 11 (both 32-bit and 64-bit).

That is it.

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