This alone can be problematic if the file is not in use anymore. That’s where a program like Unlocker aids the user. It breaks all links that Windows might have with the file or folder so that the deletion succeeds.

Unlocker was up until now only available as a 32-bit program. The developer updated the program yesterday adding signed 64-bit support to it.

Now 64-bit Windows users can install and use Unlocker just like 32-bit users. Several additional changes and improvements have been made in the release.

The program’s behavior has been improved, especially on 32-bit systems where false positive handling was improved so that false positives will no be detected anymore, ever.

Veteran users will notice the addition of promotional features during installation. Unlocker offers the Bing Toolbar, automatically selected during installation to the user.

unlocker 64-bit

A 30-second timer is displayed if the Bing Toolbar is unselected in the installation menu, not a nice trait of the program.

The program tries to place an eBay shortcut on the desktop as well, which can be unchecked, thankfully without another countdown before the installation proceeds.

Unlocker is still the number one choice for handling locked files and folders in Windows. The installation is a one-time process, the timer on the other hand should better be removed from the installation. Users who make the deliberate choice to skip the Bing Toolbar installation should not be punished by a timer for that.

Unlocker is available at the developer’s website.

The biggest change in Unlocker 1.8.9 is support for the Windows 7 operating system and the intention to make Unlocker work on 64-bit systems as well. The developer has a working test version and alpha versions but needs to get the “driver signed” before the 64-bit edition of Unlocker can be released to the public.

The full list of changes is listed below:

Fixed bug: Handles should not be missing anymore on Windows7.
- Fixed bug: Potential conflict with regular explorer use when opening multiple files or other shell extensions such as 7-zip.
- Fixed bug: UI should now appear properly when done from clean install.
- Fixed bug: No hangs due to looping junctions should happen anymore.
- Fixed bug: Deleting junctions will not erase original files anymore.
- Fixed bug: Managing your computer on Windows 7 will not crash anymore.
- Fixed bug: Bitmap handles should not leak anymore from the shell extension.
- Fixed bug: Many other potential sources of bugs and crashes.
- Improved behavior: When deleting files they will be sent first to the recycle bin if possible, only if not possible more abrasive deletion will be used.
- Improved behavior: Unlocker can be started directly from the start menu to browse to the desired file or folder.
- Promotional feature: Added fully optional shortcuts to eBay during the installation. Simply untick “eBay shortcuts” in the choose components page during install if you do not wish to have those.

The new software version basically fixes several bugs and improves support for the Windows 7 operating system. Unlocker is still offered as a portable version and installer which are both offered at the developer’s website.

The new version integrates an eBay shortcut into the installation process, users who do not want to install that can unselect the option during installation.

The latest version of Unlocker can be downloaded from here. The new Unlocker homepage is available here.

It integrates itself in the right-click context menu just like Unlocker does. Like Unlocker LockHunter becomes only active when the user right-clicks an item and selects the What is locking this file / folder option from the menu.

LockHunter will then display the path of the file and folder plus the processes that are locking the file.

Each process is listed by name and file path with the option to display additional information by clicking on the plus sign in the front.

The three buttons at the bottom of the interface provide the means to unlock the selected file or folder, delete it right away or to close or delete the process that is locking the file or folder on the computer system.

Options to unlock, close or delete the selected process become also available after right-clicking on them in the main window of the application. The main difference to Unlocker are the 64-bit support of the file unlocker and the amount of information that are displayed in the LockHunter interface.

File And Folder Unlocker is basically a similar application. It does however work in a different way.The software can be started manually by double-clicking its program file. It does integrate itself into the right-click menu as well but behaves differently than Unlocker does. The portable software will list all running processes on the computer system and a search box that can be used to search for specific processes, files or folders. The search box will be automatically filled with information if the software has been integrated into the right-click menu. An alternative to listing open objects is to double-click any process to list all of its open objects in the second box in the interface.

All objects will be listed including their location on the computer system, their owner and handle / offset. File And Folder Unlocker is definitely not as handy as using Unlocker when it comes to specific files or folders that are locked by the computer system. It does however provide extensive information that Unlocker does not provide.

This can be useful to analyze the current situation in depth. Might for example be useful if a file, process or folder is locked every time the system is shutdown. This program can help the user find out why it is locked while Unlocker would only be able to unlock it so that the computer system could be shutdown. The list of open objects can be exported for further analysis.

It can also deal with all of the following situations:

• Access denied.
• The file is in use by another program or user.
• The source or destination file may be in use.
• Cannot delete file: It is being used by another person or program.
• Cannot delete Folder: It is being used by another person or program.
• The process cannot access the file because it is being used by another process.
• There has been a sharing violation.
• Close any programs that might be using the file and try again.
• Make sure the disk is not full or write-protected and that the file is not currently in use.

File And Folder Unlocker is a 36 Kilobyte freeware that is compatible with Windows 2000 and Windows XP.

Shadow Copy has to be installed on the computer system but can be run afterwards from the command prompt or by opening the graphical user interface. Running the tool from the command line will still open the interface after sending the command but it will require no user interaction unless errors occur.

Shadow Copy makes use of the Microsoft’s Volume Shadow service which means that this service has to be running to work with Shadow Copy. Microsoft renamed the feature in Windows Vista to Previous Versions. The service provides the means to copy any accessible file without having to worry about if the file is locked or open.

It is possible to copy the Windows folder to another location using the Shadow Copy software. Shadow Copy is compatible with Windows XP, Windows Server 2003 and Windows Vista. The software is portable as the installed files can be executed independently from the installation. (Tested after uninstalling the software)