Delete Any Folder Software

admin 27.12.2019

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One of the most annoying errors you will receive while working in Windows is the message that for some reason you cannot delete a file. Usually something like “Cannot delete files: Access is denied” or “The file you’re trying to modify is being used by Windows or other application” will pop up on screen. Quite often the reason why this error message has appeared isn’t immediately obvious because you haven’t got any programs running that you think might interfere with the file concerned.

Files become locked because they are still being used by a Windows process or service and cannot be touched until Windows releases the file. One of the worst programs to actually cause this problem is the Explorer.exe process itself getting a lock on a file or even external devices like USB flash drives so you are unable to safely remove them. Other things like malicious software, security software or crashed programs can sometimes be to blame and can stop a file being deleted or moved.

Here’s a selection of 7 different file unlocking and deleting tools for you to remove your difficult to get rid of files and folders.

Open cmd in the parent directory of the folder you want to delete. Now run the following command. Now let’s run a command to delete that file. Puran Delete Empty Folders is a free and easy to use software for Windows to find empty folders. It lets you find empty folders in your PC in any location or drive easily. It lets you find empty folders in your PC in any location or drive easily.

LockHunter is a foolproof file unlocker 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. Any File Remover supports batch file removal too, which means that you can add multiple files to the file queue, configure the removal process and delete them all at a time. Delete Any File That Windows Can’t Delete. Wise Force Deleter is designed to fix all the issues above by terminating the processes using the file or removing file-access restrictions that prevent you from deleting a file. With Wise Force Deleter, you can unlock and delete any file without frustration in Windows. Free File Unlocker is a free software which helps users unlock and delete the undeletable files and folders from their Windows PC. Like most of such tools, Free File Unlocker comes with a clean. We decided to create an easy to use tool to help everyday users get rid of annoying files and directories that for one reason or another Windows was not able to handle on its own. Thus, FilExile was born and a small group of individuals decided to create a FREE utility for the OpenSource community.

Software such as anti-virus files are difficult to delete simply because the software tries to protect itself from malicious processes and therefore makes its files very hard to tamper with by setting advanced permissions. Knowing this, we’re going to perform a very simple test of trying to delete an avast! antivirus file called “avast5.ini” using Windows 7 x64 while the program itself is still running. Try to delete this file normally and you will get a “You require permission from Administrators to make changes to this file” even if you’re the administrator.

1. FileASSASSIN

Most of you will know FileASSASSIN’s makers Malwarebytes from their excellent Anti-Malware program and that tool actually includes a version of FileASSASSIN, accessible from the More Tools tab. It can attempt to unlock the files handles, unload modules, kill the related process and also optionally delete the file using the built in unlocking method. There is also the option to mark the file for delete on reboot or run a Standard delete.

FileASSASSIN is available either as a portable or setup installer version and you simply run the program and browse for, or drag and drop a file on to the window. Then select the unlock and delete option tick boxes and click Execute. The standalone FileASSASSIN program hasn’t been updated since 2007 and may not be as effective as other tools these days, the version integrated into Anti-malware seems to be better. Works on windows XP and above.

Deleting avast5.ini result: The file remained using all internal and the after a reboot options. It WAS removed after a reboot by using the FileASSASSIN function from Malwarebytes Anti-malware.

Download FileASSASSIN

2. LockHunter

LockHunter is made by Crystal Rich, the same people behind the superb USB Safely Remove utility. It’s simple to use and shows you which processes are locking the files or folders you want to delete and gives the options to simply unlock and additionally rename or copy as well. LockHunter also has a fallback in case you make a mistake by sending any deleted files to the Recycle Bin for easy recovery.

The program needs installing and can be accessed via the right click menu, which will show an entry of “What is locking this file?” or “What is locking this folder?” depending on what’s selected. Processes with a lock will show in the window and you can select the Unlock It! or Delete It! options or the rename and copy options from Other. LockHunter is still in beta so might not be totally stable, there are 32-bit and 64-bit versions available. Works on Windows 2000 and above.

Deleting avast5.ini result: LockHunter was unable to delete the ini file, there is no delete on reboot option.

Download LockHunter

3. IObit Unlocker

IObit are the people behind popular tools like Advanced SystemCare or Smart Defrag and Unlocker is another one of their simple to use applications. The program is able to just unlock files or folders for manual file management, or unlock and delete, rename, move or copy automatically. There is also a Forced mode tick box option which will terminate all related processes if the standard mode fails.

IObit Unlocker requires installing and you have to be aware of the toolbar and other adware that gets offered during the install. The program works best by way of the right click context menu where you simply select your files or folders and choose the IObit Unlocker entry. What you have chosen will show in the top window and clicking on anything with a status of Locked will show the processes with a lock on it below. To delete a file simply choose the Unlock and Delete option from the central drop down button.

IObit Unlocker works on windows XP and above. Sadly the official download from IObit redirects to FreeNew.net where they force you to download an install manager to get the program. The CNET download link DOESN’T have an install manager, or you can just use Downloadcrew’s download link.

Deleting avast5.ini result: The file was successfully deleted WITHOUT needing a reboot or using Forced mode! What’s more, IObit was able to easily delete the whole folder full of these protected files, where most tools here couldn’t even delete just the single file.

Visit IObit Unlocker

4. BlitzBlank

Anti malware and Firewall developers Emsisoft have created BlitzBlank to help in the removal of difficult to delete files especially in the case of malicious files and processes. The program is specifically designed to remove files during the Windows boot process before most software has a chance to protect or lock a file. The tool has other deleting options besides files and folders, such as removing registry entries, disabling drivers and also executing other files. BlitzBlank is a tool for more advanced users and a warning on starting the tool will tell you that.

BlitzBlank is a portable executable which makes it great for the USB toolkit. To delete a file make sure you’re on the Designer tab, click in the Type column and select File or Folder from the drop down, click on <File Path> in the Object column and either type in or browse for the file or folder using the “…” button. The Action column will allow for deleting, moving or copying and you can replace with a Dummy or choose to make a backup. Multiple entries can be added, just enter the new item on the next line. Click Execute Now and the program will prompt to reboot.

All actions in the Designer tab are fed into the Script tab where they can be edited, saved, loaded or pasted in from a previous session. BlitzBlank is compatible with Windows XP to Windows 8 32-bit and 64-bit and is also part of Emsisoft’s Emergency Kit which is a valuable, free and portable malware removal suite.

Deleting avast5.ini result: The file was successfully deleted after a reboot.

Download BlitzBlank

5. Unlocker

Unlocker is without doubt the most popular locked file removal utility around and has been for quite a few years. In addition to helping remove files with permission or file protection issues, it also tries to remove the process handles that might have a lock on a file causing it to be not removable. Or failing that, you’re given the opportunity to kill the process identified as being the cause of the lock which hopefully allows for deletion.

An install will give you a handy right click context menu entry where you can simply right click on a file or folder and select Unlocker from the menu. Depending on if there are any locking handles on the file will determine whether you get the simple delete helper dialog above, or the main window which shows the processes causing an issue and you have the option of unlocking the handles on the file or killing the process causing the lock completely.

Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition is an antivirus to rely on. It uses a minimalistic approach to make sure of the one thing that matters: whether you’re a rookie or a techie, your PC will be defended against intruders. On-demand & on-access scanning that runs in the background. When you want supreme security and uncompromising performance, there is no better choice than Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2018. It protects against even the most dangerous threats without straining. Feb 09, 2018 Free download and latest review: Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2018 brings all-new file shredder coupled with an overhauled scanning engine to excavate any threats to the operating system and the user's data. Bitdefender 2018 is flawlessly compatible with Windows 10, 8, 8.1 and 7. Download bitdefender antivirus plus 2018.

The program comes in both 32-bit and 64-bit versions and also a portable version although currently it is one release behind the setup installer. Something you need to watch out for is the adware options that need to be disabled during an install.

Deleting avast5.ini result: The file remained intact using rename, delete or move, even after a reboot.

Download Unlocker

6. File Governor

NoVirusThanks File Governor works in quite a similar way to Unlocker in that it can try to forcefully delete a file as well as unlocking the handles attached to it including DLL file handles. If unlocking the handles doesn’t work, you can terminate the process causing the problem as long as it isn’t a system critical process which is why some knowledge is required of which processes are safe to kill and which aren’t when using these tools.

File Governor comes as both portable or setup versions and the handy thing is the portable version still gives you the option to include a right click entry for it in your Windows context menu. Use that right click option or open the program and use “Search for locked files” for the program to analyze your file. Any processes with a lock on the file will show in the window where you can choose to Unlock the handles or terminate / delete / copy / move the process.

The Tools menu gives the option to browse for and Force delete, Delete on reboot or Rename a single file. File Governor work on Windows 2000 and above.

Deleting avast5.ini result: Force delete, Delete on reboot and Rename all failed to remove the file.

Download File Governor

7. Pocket KillBox

KillBox is a tiny single executable of under 100K and sadly the program has been abandoned with no website and no chance of updates or fixes. It does pack quite a lot into that small size though, and offers a standard file delete method, a Delete on reboot and also replace the with a dummy or chosen file on reboot method. Another neat little option is a pop out task killer (by pressing Processes >> in the menu bar) which can auto kill tasks every 5 seconds and a few useful tools such as a handy little temp file cleaner and quick access to the HOSTS file, the registry editor and services.

You can browse for or drag and drop more than 1 file onto the window at once, dropping a folder will enter the files in the folder and the directory itself at the bottom of the drop down list. Choose the delete method and then click the red icon to begin the delete process. Works on Windows XP to Windows 7.

Deleting avast5.ini result: Using Standard, Delete on reboot or Replace on reboot failed to remove the file.

Download Pocket KillBox

Editor’s Note: Some other tools we looked at were EMCO’s UnLock IT / MoveOnBoot and UnlockMe. Although Unlock IT is a pretty looking program with themes, it can only unlock process handles and cannot delete, move or rename files directly. MoveOnBoot is designed to delete or move files during a reboot but didn’t touch the test file, and has a massive 35MB installer!! UnlockMe looks like a useful tool but crashed nearly every time we tried to select a file to delete. Also looked at were Delete Doctor and FilExile and both are more like general delete tools without the more advanced options needed to delete stubborn files.

We were very impressed by IObit Unlocker because it was the only tool to delete the test file (and its whole folder) without needing a reboot while BlitzBlank and the Malwarebytes version of FileASSASSIN did the job after a reboot. If you’re using a tool such as Unlocker and come across something you can’t remove, those other programs are worth a look.

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many thanks for this review!! you do a some of testing this bunch of software to find wich ones strong enugh to unlock data! many thanks for you

Jesse2 years ago

Was looking for a solution for a whole day, and now I use IObit. Thankyou for sharing this information!

What is the reason why Windows XP locks directories? For example, start Calc or Notepad from a folder, then that folder won’t be deletable until the program is closed or I browse to another folder from within the program. This is an old problem, but still gets annoying. I understand that files need to be locked so that a program can finish working on them, but why directories? The expected result is that the program drops me into a default My Documents if it can’t find the previous directory.

HAL9000 Author3 years ago

It makes perfect sense if you think about it. Trying to delete the folder containing the executable you are running is the same as trying to delete the running executable itself.

Great article. Thanks for posting. IOBit unlocker worked for me.

hamidreza3 years ago

hello
thanks
lockhunter is good but which one is best?

EMCO UNLOCK IT IS THE BEST CHOICE IN THE TOP OF THE BEST UNLOCKER PROGRAM TESTED

Riscy3 years ago

Unlocker no longer has context menu working as used to.

Is there alternative unlocker with context menu so I can unclock file straight away.

Unlocker still has a context menu and it works in Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1 and 10 (including Anniversary update).

OrionQuest3 years ago

I was using Unlocker but it started to get flakey when I started using Windows 7 and now Windows 10. I then started to use IOBit Unlocker and I never looked back since.

I’ve been using Unlocker on Windows 7 for many years and also Windows 10 for the last year, works fine on both. The IObit tool can delete more stubborn files though.

Bee3 years ago

What if the files are IObit that have attached themselves to explorer.exe?

Ive had a few very persistent malwares which despite running av’s , mbytes and various other security programs and uninstalling the malicious files/programs, they have reinstalled themselves every reboot. In each case I was finally able to get rid of start up malware files using WinPatrol freeware by highlighting the files in its startup screen tab & right clicking to use option ” delete file on reboot” – its never failed me. Winpatrol also many other useful functions .

martin4 years ago

good article, helped me, thank you

LockHunter did not work for me. I rebooted as instructed and got a system message telling me LockHunter was trying to delete the folders I’d selected but that it could not delete the folder. I’ll try another program but starting to lose hope this can be done at all….

Raymond Admin5 years ago

Try using the third tool (IObit Unlocker) that was listed in this article.

Just downloaded Unlocker and it is infected with malware. The link takes me to the the EmptyLoop website and when I tried to download the file, the file is downloaded from emptyloop. The installation then attempted to install BoBrowser which I declined, but it installed it anyway. It also install startsearch which appeared to be made by someone in China and when I tried to delete the files, HPUi, load64 etc, it keeps coming back until I ended the process tree.

AVOID (though the unlocker application itself appeared to be ok – so far).

HAL9000 Author5 years ago

Emptyloop is the official page for Unlocker, it’s not really malware as opposed to adware which has always been in the Unlocker installer. If you disable and skip the options they won’t be installed. Even downloading Unlocker from other sites like Softpedia will still include adware in the installer.

use lock hunter to find which process is locking your file or folder, go to task manger, end that task and now the file or folder has been unlocked, you can delete easily.

Wellington Torrejais da Silva5 years ago

Thaks!!!

After trying Unlocker, finally FileASSASSIN is the best tool to remove any corrupted file. Now Unlocker is become my alternative tool.

Graceful6 years ago

Thanks for sharing wonderful piece of information.

Another alternative is “LongPathTool” tried and tested.Guaranteed fix. Here you can rename, delete, open and move your files instantly without the worries of error messages saying that there is some sort of a problem.

Anant Singh6 years ago

Thanks! a lot Sir and all others. I was using unlocker and it wasn’t working well in win-7 for don’t know some reason (may be as it was not meant for win-7).
Thanks again !

Lockhunter works for me, maybe if you install win 64on top if you have not done so alreeady,
might make a change. I got the thing but I am trying to master it (learn it I am guessing at how it work. maybe some one out there can help. HELP

best regard WAB

Steve9 years ago

Sadly LockHunter DOES work. I don’t know what others real issues are but I’m able to unlock all the files I’ve tried that were locked with little problems. I’ve tried several other programs that use to work when using XP but just won’t work with 7 even when they say they will.

Good Job Crystal Rich :)

One of the few that worked in Win7. But I have a request to make! Command Line!!! I need to unlock some files in a .bat script and command line is needed!

darkplayer10 years ago

WoW!!! I really like Unlocker and I was hoping for an update. I’ll have to check out LockHunter. Thanks for the alternative review.

Dear Raymond,
Sounds neat!

Taco10 years ago

Thanks Raymond. Now if there were just a x64 equivalent of Sandboxie I’d make the switch to an x64 OS.

Great program. I found this a few months ago when I upgraded RAM and went to x64. Haven’t tried it on Windows 7 x64 yet though.

Ishaan10 years ago

Thanks…
I found out this a few weeks ago when I switched to XP x64 as I was in need for an Unlocking Tools….

thanks a lot Mr. Ray.

Ed10 years ago

Thanks, I’ll have a look, I never liked Unlocker.

Not sure where I got it, but have a look at EjectUSB by William Hedrick. Also look inside the readme file under section “External Utility Support” and you’ll find similar eject utilities.

Thnks for the great tips ^^

Firdaus10 years ago

Thanks Raymond
good one been looking for on that work on x64 bit

Thanks raymond.

Cannot delete some files on your Windows PC? We often face this error while removing an unwanted program from your PC, particularly spyware. If you do, then these free file deleter software will help you delete undeletable locked files & folders.

How To Delete Folders

How to delete locked files and folders

The most common errors we get are:

Cannot delete file: Access is denied
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
The file or directory is corrupted and unreadable.
Make sure the disk is not full or write-protected and that the file is not currently in use.

Windows sometimes deny deleting a file or a folder to avoid an application crash, thus, make sure you know what you are deleting. Before using any third party software, try deleting the locked files/folders in Safe Mode. Also, it is highly recommended to create a system restore point before making any changes to your system.

Free File Deleter software

If you face such errors and you need to delete the items you can make use of these free file deleter software to delete locked files and folders.

1. Free File Unlocker

Free File Unlocker is a free software which helps users unlock and delete the undeletable files and folders from their Windows PC. Like most of such tools, Free File Unlocker comes with a clean and intuitive interface. The main overview includes a menu bar, a few shortcut buttons and a panel where you can see the selected files and folders. Users can either select the locked files manually or let the tool display the locked files automatically. The display panel displays a list of locked files along with the details like file path, files, etc. The tool helps you deleting, renaming, or moving the selected files from the PC. Furthermore, the tool also can terminate the running processes on your PC. To sum up the features, this tool is the right choice to get rid of the errors we face while removing a program from the PC.

2. Tizer Unlocker

Tizer UnLocker is again a simple and lightweight tool which comes with a minimal interface. With very few buttons and options this tool can be used even by beginners and novice computer users. It takes hardly a minute to download and install Tizer Unlocker on your PC. In just a few clicks you can unlock the corrupted files and delete them permanently from your PC, specifically the files which are undeletable for some reason. Tizer Unlocker can also kill the process. You can select the desired locked file using the integrated file browser of the tool. Download it here.

3. MoveOnBoot

MoveOnBoot helps you rename, move or delete the locked files on your PC. The software brings the changes into effect with your next system reboot. Again, this tool comes with the inbuilt browser button as well as the drag and drop option. All you have to have to do is to drag the selected files on the program interface and select the required action. You can Delete, Rename or Move the files and configure it by setting the required parameters. The software come with an additional feature where you can bypass the prompt and select the same action for multiple files. Remember that the program requires a system boot for the changes to take effect. The interface of this tool is a bit intricate as compared to other such tools.

4. Delete Doctor

This is a free tool which helps users deleting the leftover files of spyware or trojans or the corrupted and undeletable files from the PC. Like most of such tools, Delete Doctor also comes with a browsing and drag-and-drop options. Users can either browse and select the files using the built-in file browser or can drag and drop them in the tool. Delete Doctor can also schedule the delete of index.dat files which store all your internet history. This is again a very simple and lightweight tool idle for removing the locked and corrupted files from your PC. Download it here.

5. Wise Force Deleter

Wise Force Deleter, as named deletes the locked files forcefully from your PC. Like the other tools mentioned above, Wise Force Deleter lets you delete the files even if your Windows PC shows the errors like ‘file being used by another program’ or ‘access denied’ etc. It is free simple software and comes with a plain interface. This tool lets you delete multiple files in one go. While there is no specific button to delete all files, you can press Ctrl+A to select all files and click on ‘Unlock& Delete‘ button in the bottom right corner. Download and install the tool on your PC and get rid of those locked files.

6. Unlocker

As the name signifies, this tool unlocks the files somehow locked for some or the other reason. It unlocks and deletes the files and folders which otherwise are undeletable. Unlocker is a free and fast working tool. You can either browse and delete the file or use the drag-and-drop option. With a very few menu options, this tool is plain and simple to use. The Unlocker is an ideal tool for errors like “Cannot delete folder: It is being used” or “Cannot delete file: Access is denied”. The tool is compatible with almost every version of Windows. While installing the tool might try to install some shopping toolbars, be watchful and uncheck the box if you don’t want to install these toolbars. Download Unlocker here.

7. Malwarebytes FileASSASSIN

Delete Any Folder Windows 10

FileASSASIN is also a free utility which helps you deleting the locked files from your PC. The tool comes with a plain and simple interface useful for novice computer users too. Just like the other tools, FileASSASIN also has the built-in browser button and the drag-and-drop option. Download the freeware, install it on your PC and use either of the options to delete the locked files from your PC. While the program deletes most of the files normally, some files and folder might require a system reboot too.

Delete All Files In A Folder

8. LockHunter

Delete Folder Software

LockHunter is a foolproof file unlocker to delete locked files. Unlike other similar tools, it deletes files into the Recycle Bin so you may restore them if deleted by mistake. It is available here.

Folder Delete Software For Pc

So, this is our list of free software which helps you unlock the corrupted files, rename, move or delete them easily. Do let us know if you know of such free utilities.

These posts may interest you too:

Force Delete Folder Software

Fix problems with Locked Files and File Is Locked error
How to fix The file name(s) would be too long for the destination folder error message.

TIP: Download this tool to quickly find & fix Windows errors automatically

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