Without a doubt that The Unlocker is the best and its one of my must-install software after I’ve finished installing Windows. If you don’t know what is Unlocker for, it is a utility used to determine what file a process is using if a user tried to delete it, and displays a list of processes as well as choices on what to do with the process (kill task, unlock, etc.) along with a list of file function options (delete, rename, move). Even when I cannot eject USB flash drive from Windows, I can use Unlocker to find out which process is invisible in use that is causing the problem and unlock it.
The latest version of Unlocker is 1.8.7 released on 01 May 2008. It is updated to fix some bugs and also to support Vista. However, until today there’s no update to support 64 bit of Windows XP/Vista/7. If you’ve been searching high and low for an alternative, look no further because LockHunter does the same thing as Unlocker and it supports both 32 and 64 bit of Windows 2000, XP, 2003, Vista and 7. Most importantly it is free and very light in system resource usage.
LockHunter is a free foolproof file unlocker 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. Unlike other similar tools it deletes files into the recycle bin so you may restore them if deleted by mistake.
Key Features of LockHunter
Shows processes locking a file or folder Allows to unlock, delete, copy or rename a locked file Allows to kill locking process Allows to remove locking processes from hard drive Integrates in to Explorer menu It deletes files into the recycle bin, so you may restore them if deleted by mistake Supports both 32 and 64bit Windows
There are a lot of other unlocker software listed in the official Unlocker’s website and most if not all of them can only unlock files and folders but not the whole drive letter. To me, very frequently I get errors like “This device currently in use. Close any programs or windows that might be using the device, and then try again” when I try to eject a drive from USB. If the unlocker software cannot support this feature, then it’s pretty useless to me. Thankfully LockHunter supports this.
If you didn’t know, LockHunter is developed by Crystal Rich, the same company that develops the award winning USB Safely Remove software. LockHunter is still in BETA which means it might have some bugs. If you encounter any, you can make a report using the form at this page.
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First use after install and it didn’t work.
Claimed no processed were locking the file, but I still couldn’t rename the file in question.
Immediately removed.
dosn’t works fine in Windows 7 64. I can’t modify my.ini (MySQL configuration file) because some process is blocking, but the soft not detect anithing
A beta version of Unlocker supporting x64 has just been released on ccollomb.free.fr/unlocker/Beta64.zip
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 :)
Sadly this Lockhunter doesn’t unlock system file that are locking my external harddrive when I try to eject it. I closed every possible windows and program and tried to eject but no use.
Unlocker would have done the trick just fine without killing my Operating system. Can you do something about this?
Didn’t work for me either. W7 64 bit. Can’t unlock, can’t delete, can’t do anything except identify the program locking it. In previous versions of Windows it could unlock regardless.
I’m experiencing a glitch in W7 where it locks a file and the process can’t be ended within task manager or anything. It’s not a service, it’s a regular program that is locked now for whatever reason, but regardless, it should unlock it. I can’t reboot the system right now so I figured this would be a great test. Fail.
This do not work for me. i have windows 7 home premium 64bit
Ray, using Windows 7 x64.
Alot of times, I watch flash files that do not give you an option to download the footage. However, a copy of all flash footage, as I am sure you are aware, is kept temporarily in the Temporary Internet Files folder, as a “.tmp” file, as long as the browser is still open.
Well, in Windows 7, that folder is now located at, “C:\Users\\AppData\Local\Temporary Internet Files\Low”, which that folder can be accessed by using the utility called, “Take Ownership”. But once in there, I could not copy the .tmp file in there, using LockHunter.
I used to be able to copy these type of “locked” files under XP using “Unlocker”.
Your program, being what I believe to be the first x64 capable unlocker, I gave it a try, since “Unlocker” is not yet x64.
Just a heads up.
Thanks for all your work.
uso win 7 64 bit e lockhunter NON si installa nonostante lanci l’installer come amministratore.
L’errore rilasciato è che non riesce a registrare una dll e poi anche un ocx…
BLEAH!
BETA=ME*RDA
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!
Tried removing flash.ocx from windows 7 – doesn’t work.
tried removing windows mail with unlocker in windows 7 ultimate 64bit did not work hoped that lockhunter could do the trick (no did not work) say’s there are no proccessors are locking the files – but still can’t remove the files.
does anybody have the sollution to removing windows mail in windows 7 ultimate 64 bit
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!
Will it tell you what is “not responding” and how to fix it, when for example, an IE browser window that you are trying to save just sits there doing nothing?
I would love to be able to close the particular saving Internet Explorer windows status box and then try to reload IE or try to save that browser file some other way.
Usually the only option is too use the Ctrl+Alt+Del Task Manager and kill off that Internet Explorer windows process which may (sometimes) take a heap of other open IE windows with it.
are you sure that windows 7 will not give you headache like vista?=) I think Xp still faster than win 7 i guess
I pretty much skipped Vista :P
From XP to Windows 7.
Thanks Raymond. Now if there were just a x64 equivalent of Sandboxie I’d make the switch to an x64 OS.
hello raymond you moved on to vista already? i noticed those past few days screenshot were from vista
Mifeulle
Did you bother trying the software mentioned in this article, Lockhunter? Because that is what it does, works in Vista64
could you provide an alternative of UNLOCKER for window VISTA? i found that the UNLOCKER doesnt work in VISTA….
Great program. I found this a few months ago when I upgraded RAM and went to x64. Haven’t tried it on Se7en x64 yet though.
Thx…
I found out this a few weeks ago when I switched to XP x64 as I was in need for an Unlocking Tools….
I’m sorry if this sounds silly Raymond …… but having given us a brief synopsis of WHAT this software does …. please will you be kind enough to do a short walkthrough on how to use it? Thank you.
thanks alot Mr. Ray.
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 ^^
Thx Raymond
gud one been looking for on that work on x64 bit
Thanx raymond.
Btw take a look on my request which i have submitted u.Thanx