Best Free Undeletable File Remover (Stub only)

 
In a Hurry?
  Go straight to the Quick Selection Guide
Introduction

Isn't it really frustrating if you want to delete a file or a folder but the system doesn't allow you to do so? Instead, the system just greets you with either one of these error messages:

  • Cannot delete file: Access is denied.
  • Cannot delete folder: It is being used by another person or program.
  • 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.

Any solutions? Give these undeletable file removers a try and you might find them helpful to unlock a file, terminate the processes using the file or remove file-access restrictions that prevent you from deleting, renaming or moving a file.

Discussion

Product 1Product 1 To be edited.

 

Product 2Product 2 To be edited.

 

Product 3Product 3 To be edited.

Freeware products to be reviewed:

Related Products and Links

You might want to check out these articles too:

Quick Selection Guide

Product 1    Rating 10 of 10  Gizmo's Top Pick

Pros   many features, easy to learn, fast
Cons   user interface outdated
Developer Home Page   http://www.techsupportalert.com
Download link   http://www.techsupportalert.com/downloads
File Size   2.5 MB   Version 1.1   License Type Unrestricted Freeware   Installation Requirements Windows XP and higher
Info   Many other languages available

Product 2    Rating 8 of 10

Pros   many features, easy to learn, fast
Cons   user interface oudated
Developer Home Page   http://www.techsupportalert.com
Download link   http://www.techsupportalert.com/downloads
File Size   3.5 MB   Version 1.2   License Type Unrestricted Freeware   Installation Requirements Windows XP and higher
64 Bit version available   64 Bit version available
Info   Many other languages available

Product 3    Rating 6 of 10

Pros   many features, easy to learn, fast
Cons   user interface oudated
Developer Home Page   http://www.techsupportalert.com
Download link   http://www.techsupportalert.com/downloads
File Size   27 MB   Version 2.3.1   License Type Unrestricted Freeware   Installation Requirements Windows XP and higher, Mac OS
Portable version available   Portable version available
Info   Many other languages available
Editor

This software category is in need of an editor. If you are interested in taking it over, please email Elizabeth, our editorial co-ordinator with a little bit about your background and in particular, whether you have any commercial affiliation with products in this category.

If you are currently logged in, you can contact Elizabeth directly by clicking here, if not then click here.

Tags

delete file, clean file, remove file, unlock file

Back to the top of the article

 

2.57143
Average: 2.6 (7 votes)
Your rating: None

I've used Unlocker sucessfully for years. However, I have just updated my computer to 64 bit Windows 7. I attempted to install Unlocker and the installation gave me no problems. The Unlocer Icon even showed up in the system Tray. But it did not work. When i right click on a file, Unlocker is NOT SHOWN IN THE CONTEXT MENU.

I do not know if the problem is with the Windows 7 Operating System itself, or with the 64 bit Operating System, but it appears that Unlocker is not compatible with 64 bit Windows 7.

Try LockHunter, it works on my Windows 7 64-bit (although not as good as Unlocker).

everytime i try to download unlocker, my antivirus pops up... does anyone else get that?

try downloading it from CNET Download or Filehippo. those sites are mostly safe.

Here is a new contender: LockHunter. It is still in beta. Have just installed it. Will see how it goes.

Can remove virus file in the recycle bin.

I just wanted to drop a comment about MoveOnBoot, it does not work that great at all, so don't waste your time! I use Unlocker myself and it does work every time, but I will check out Killbox for a good backup program just in case.

http://ccollomb.free.fr/unlocker/#comparison Unlocker

http://killbox.net/ Killbox

~Jim~

Although potentially biased, the Unlocker site lists a comparison of 20 different Undeletable File Removers (with links to each): http://ccollomb.free.fr/unlocker/#comparison
Most of them are free!

Unlocker is excellent. When is this category going to be updated?

UnlockMe by Camtech is another excellent option.

i use fileassassin
works a treat

I've used a program called Dr. Delete as well. It works well.

Avenger on those really stubborn stains.

It comes with a safety warning:
http://swandog46.geekstogo.com/avenger2/avenger2.html
overkill for day to day use

Unlocker looks good but its not portable. I'll be keeping Pocket Killbox on my thumb drive but I'm going tom try unlocker on my home PC.

-J

UnLocker in my experience just works and without rebooting. File Assassin has a good pedigree too.

I mostly use unlocker now but copylock www.snapfiles.com/get/copylock.html is also pretty good for replacing files on reboot.

Lionheart82

What about File Assassin? I use it when Unlocker fails.

Unlocker I dont need to say anymore

I agree, Unlocker works for me every time.

Here is the website for Unlocker
http://ccollomb.free.fr/unlocker/

These suggestions were posted elsewhere on the site by subscriber "J"

Here are the contenders:
Pocket Killbox
MoveOnBoot
Remove on Reboot shell extension

I once used moveonboot but Killbox can delete with or without reboot and is portable. Its currently my first choice.

-J

Post new comment

  • Web page addresses and e-mail addresses turn into links automatically.
  • Allowed HTML tags: <a> <b> <address> <blockquote> <br> <caption> <center> <code> <dd> <del> <div> <dl> <dt> <em> <font> <h2> <h3> <h4> <h5> <h6> <hr> <i> <img> <li> <ol> <p> <pre> <span> <strong> <sub> <sup> <table> <tbody> <td> <tfoot> <th> <thead> <tr> <u> <ul> <tr>
  • Lines and paragraphs break automatically.
  • [node:123] - insert full text (themed by theme('node'))
    [node:123 body] - insert node's body
    [node:123 teaser] - insert node's teaser
    [node:123 link] - insert link to node
    [node:123 collapsed] - insert collapsed node's body
  • You may use [view:viewname] tags to display listings of nodes.

More information about formatting options