While the computer is running, the system uses many files. A document that is occupied by a particular program cannot be deleted or modified until the associated process finishes. Sometimes a software crash occurs, and even though the program has already completed its operations, the file is still inaccessible.
Programs for deleting files
To delete a file locked by a frozen process, you will have to use specialized third-party utilities that allow you to delete an unnecessary process and free the document for further modification and deletion. One of the most popular and effective programs today is Unlocker, which is built into the system context menu and allows you to unlock a file occupied by the system. The program is free and is being actively developed by the developers. The application has proven to be effective in completing the assigned tasks and is easy to use.
Another application with more extensive functionality is called Wise Registry Cleaner. The program allows you to clean the registry, which can cause a file to be blocked by a certain process. The application also allows you to clean up unnecessary registry keys, create a backup copy, and safely delete unnecessary files. Other apps include File Assassin, Lock Hunter, and Easy Cleaner, which may appeal to users due to their functionality and ease of use.
Unlocking and deleting a file
Choose the program you like the most by visiting the official websites of the developers and studying the reviews available on the Internet. The programs are similar in use and practically do not differ in efficiency, which means that they can be used in the same way to solve the problem of document blocking.
After downloading the installer of the program, launch it and complete the installation procedure according to the instructions on the screen. After installation, launch the application using the shortcut on the desktop. Go to the "Settings" section and set the parameters of the program's behavior during the unlocking procedure. For example, depending on the version of the application you are using, you can enable context menu support by right-clicking on a file.
After making the settings, click "OK". In the program window, specify the folder where the file you want to delete is located. Click on it with the right mouse button and select the Unlock option or an item similar in name. Confirm the operation and click the "OK" button. Deletion of the locked file is complete.
You can also delete files using the context menu. Right-click on the non-deleteable document and select the "Delete" or "Unblock" item that appears after installing the program.
