Unlocker 1.9

Free Gives back control over locked files
4.3 
Rating
Your vote:
Latest version:
1.9.2 See all
Developer:
Screenshots
1 / 7
Awards (11)
Show all awards
Software Informer Editor Rating 4 Software Informer User Rating 4
Trusted Download
Free   338 KB

When working with a file, Windows programs usually lock it so that it can't be tampered with, meaning it cannot be renamed, moved, deleted or edited. For example this may happen when you're listening to an audio file, editing a document or watching a movie. This protects against data corruption. Unfortunately, on some rare occasions, a buggy program "forgets" to unlock the file when it no longer uses it. Unlocker is a program that can save you some time in these situations. Instead of rebooting your computer, you can simply right click on the locked file and then perform the desired action. The utility is simple yet effective, allowing you to quickly kill the process that is protecting the file, unlock it without ending the parent process or move, delete, rename the file.

It seems that the current version of this program has reached its maturity, having multiple interface languages, support for 64-bit Windows, a long list of bug fixes and small improvements. Personally, I couldn't find any bugs or poor behavior where it really matters but I did find a problem when selecting two or more files and then using Unlocker on them. Nothing happens. There is a technical reason for the lack of this functionality but no excuse for the lack of a dialog that offers an explanation, warning or error. This may mislead some users into thinking the utility is not working. Fortunately, the program allows you to scan an entire folder for locked files, allowing you to easily spot them and perform batch operations.

AA Senior editor
Alexandru Andrei
Editor rating:
rating

Review summary

Pros

  • Very easy to use
  • Can process entire folders
  • Can work with file without killing locking process

Cons

  • When selecting two or more files and then using Unlocker on them, nothing happens

Comments (51)

5 stars
848
4 stars
122
3 stars
67
2 stars
41
1 stars
98
User

Your vote:

M
rating monu
Very handy utility to try and unlock open file handles in a file.

Jan 16, 2023 Was it helpful?  yes(0) no(0) | Reply
A
Alina
It's very easy to use and it's the best when I use it. Smile

Was it helpful?  yes(1) no(1) | Reply
D
David H
Very handy utility to try and unlock open file handles in a file.

Was it helpful?  yes(4) no(1) | Reply