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Unlocker
Unlocker enables you to delete, move or rename files or folders that are locked by other processed (Access is denied, Sharing Violation etc.). It integrates into the Windows right-click menu, and ope ...
Average of 22 user ratings: 
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- Sep 13, 2009
- For version:
- 1.8.5
Good program, but be careful! 
- Interface: 1
- Features: 3
- Ease of use: 3
- Value: 3
- Overall:
I've used Unlocker for quite a while but now realize it can be quite dangerous if used routinely without being very careful. Unlocker will move and delete locked files / folders most of the time when you select the problem items, choose 'move' or 'delete' and press 'unlock all.' However, it is all too easy to mistakenly delete files into unrecoverable oblivion. Unlike the 'move' option, which simply moves the locked file where you want it to go, the 'delete' option does not move the files you want to delete to the recycle bin. Instead, they're deleted permanently with no warning at all. Probably I mistakenly clicked on a folder rather than the empty locked sub-folder I wanted to delete, but I ended up sending all the files in the folder into the ether - something I did not intend. No notice that I was about to delete 40 files - they were just gone forever. BE FOREWARNED!
Review by: acacius
First post
- Jan 30, 2009
- For version:
- 1.8.5
A valuable tool
- Interface: 3
- Features: 5
- Ease of use: 5
- Value: 5
- Overall:
This program is like having a spare key hidden somewhere, for the inevitable day you forget your prime key on the wrong side of the door. My use for this helper has been, when I can't install a new version of some software, because there's an old file in the way - and it can't be deleted. Unlocker has always helped me out. Big deeds are sometimes done by small programs.
Review by: Henry8 (27)
Read all 27 reviews by Henry8
- Nov 28, 2008
- For version:
- 1.8.5
More power than it seems!
- Interface: 4
- Features: 5
- Ease of use: 5
- Value: 5
- Overall:
I rarely have to delete a locked file, and I've known for a long time about this utility. But "Unlocker" really saved my ass when I happened upon some undeletable files... they're not locked, but their file names (i.e., ending with a period) prevent me from deleting them... from the Explorer, from CMD, even from a VBS script... I was ready to tear my hairs out when I tried Unlocker... as it detected a "Deletion Failure" it went to work, saying that it doesn't find any locking process, but offered to delete the file anyway... I approve... lo and behold! The file is deleted! Highly recommended to anyone trying to save their sanity when they happen upon undeletable files, whether locked and/or having strange undeletable names.
Review by: pepoluan (22)
Read all 22 reviews by pepoluan
- Jun 01, 2008
- For version:
- 1.8.5
This is it!
- Interface: 5
- Features: 5
- Ease of use: 5
- Value: 5
- Overall:
This is one of those files that you have needed for a long time and didn't know it! For years I have had files lock and could not remove the lock so that I could do something simple like rename it, or delete it, or move it. It is annoying when you are managing files and can not manage them. Unlocker does exactly what it says -- when a file is locked it pops up with the info and asks if you want to unlock it. You say yes and presto! A must for anyone that manages large numbers of files.
Review by: MightyToad
First post
- Apr 01, 2008
- For version:
- 1.8.5
A dandy!
- Interface: 5
- Features: 5
- Ease of use: 5
- Value: 5
- Overall:
This is a must-have! It hides most of the time, you can turn it on and off if you like, or just set it to work whenever you want to unlock something. The icon shows in the system tray. It does *just what it is supposed to do*. Wonderful!
- Mar 06, 2008
- For version:
- 1.8.5
Best i found - but...
- Interface: 5
- Features: 5
- Ease of use: 5
- Value: 5
- Overall:
This is the one with the slickest interface, and easiest to use controls. Unfortunately for me, it couldn't find the process that was locking the file, but none of the utilities I tried could find it. It was also unable to delete the file without a reboot (same with other utilities). It would be nice if one of these tools would go the extra mile to give *any* available information possible as to what could be locking a file, because it is a reoccurring problem for me.
Review by: BengalTigger (8)
Read all 8 reviews by BengalTigger
- Feb 22, 2008
- For version:
- 1.8.5
Missing windows feature
- Interface: 5
- Features: 5
- Ease of use: 5
- Value: 5
- Overall:
This tool is a must for any hard core Window user. It not only lets you free the lock but what process is locking the file which can be killed as well.
Review by: HZetzer (20)
Read all 20 reviews by HZetzer
- Sep 24, 2007
- For version:
- 1.8.5
Only unlocks files
- Interface: 3
- Features: 2
- Ease of use: 2
- Value: 4
- Overall:
Does not unlock folders. If you have a 2 level set of folders /test/test/file.txt and file.txt is locked, and you try to delete the top level folder 'test', you can't, it says it is locked. Obviously (or so it should seem) you try to unlock the folder and it doesn't work. You still can't delete. Confusing.
Review by: KingSky (8)
Read all 8 reviews by KingSky
- Sep 24, 2007
- For version:
- 1.8.5
If you do virus removal. u need this freeware
- Interface: 5
- Features: 4
- Ease of use: 5
- Value: 5
- Overall:
This is a must!!! This gets rid of difficult software that protects itself by locking into your system. IT also helps remove stuborn .dll files that wont come off. I dont recommend leaving it installed if other people use the same comp. Especially kids. Although very useful it can harm your comp if you unlock and delete something your not supposed to delete. Do research before you delete.
Review by: Karmaxs3 (2)
Read all 2 reviews by Karmaxs3
- Sep 03, 2007
- For version:
- 1.8.3
Finaly a freeware usb unlocker! [also]
- Interface: 5
- Features: 5
- Ease of use: 5
- Value: 5
- Overall:
Finally I found a freeware able to unlock USB devices like flash memory, USB hard drives, etc... The description of this freeware do not mention that it works very fine to unlock USB devices. Great job, no more dealing with the complicated "Process Explorer for Windows v10.21" to do that job.
Review by: SERGITO (3)
Read all 3 reviews by SERGITO
- Mar 31, 2007
- For version:
- 1.8.3
This is great!
- Interface: 3
- Features: 4
- Ease of use: 5
- Value: 5
- Overall:
It's one of those programs you didn't know you needed, until you found it. Then the next thing you know, (THIS IS GREAT!) Now you can delete those files and folders left behind when you uninstall something, because they were locked by an active process. Unlocker will unlock the files and delete them for you, letting you clean your disk like you've been trying to.
Review by: TracyEckels (4)
Read all 4 reviews by TracyEckels
- Mar 24, 2007
- For version:
- 1.8.3
Excellent
- Interface: 4
- Features: 5
- Ease of use: 4
- Value: 5
- Overall:
Stays out of the way, pops up when it thinks you need help, works perfectly whenever called on. Small and reliable. It couldn't be better.
Review by: Harlan (16)
Read all 16 reviews by Harlan
- Feb 16, 2007
- For version:
- 1.8.3
Just the job
- Interface: 3
- Features: 3
- Ease of use: 5
- Value: 5
- Overall:
This is one of those programs you run across, use on an occasional basis to fix a problem, but can never remember where the program came from. I didn't realize these was a much newer version than the one I was using, because the program did exactly what I wanted it to do and there was no need to hunt for anything else. Recommended.
Review by: Clancolin (2)
Read all 2 reviews by Clancolin
- Feb 13, 2007
- For version:
- 1.8.3
Works!
- Interface: 5
- Features: 5
- Ease of use: 5
- Value: 5
- Overall:
Used it, been using it and its been a ton of help! I love it!
Review by: Coldsteel (5)
Read all 5 reviews by Coldsteel
- Sep 17, 2006
- For version:
- 1.8.3
A power user necessity
- Interface: 5
- Features: 5
- Ease of use: 5
- Value: 5
- Overall:
Works like a charm. Gives you a choice of adding it to the "Send To" menu so your right click menu doesn't get cluttered. A newer version is available on their site that allows simultaneous multiple file unlocks. Also - a note to the user that says it tries to connect with a remote server/phone home: You can avoid that by deselecting "check for updates" on the install screen.
Review by: mattware (10)
Read all 10 reviews by mattware
- Jul 09, 2006
- For version:
- 1.8.3
Unlocker is the perfect unlocker
- Interface: 5
- Features: 5
- Ease of use: 5
- Value: 5
- Overall:
I like Unlocker very much, because its easy to use (specially with tray manager running) and effective in almost any case. I like the choices that give you (for deleting or moving etc.). An finally in rare case that it fails to unlock the problematic file, you give you the option for auto-delete after restart without further action from you. With this, you can forget the annoying log off and back on, just for delete a useless file. I think you must give it a try. Best Regards! Giorgos. :-)
Review by: GIORGOS (18)
Read all 18 reviews by GIORGOS
- May 22, 2006
- For version:
- 1.8.3
It's definitely the best.
- Interface: 5
- Features: 5
- Ease of use: 5
- Value: 5
- Overall:
Utterly indispensable for those who often delete files or folders. I'm one of those and I had tried several other apps before found this little tool. It's definitely the best. Now I don't need to reboot to delete a stubborn file or folder. And everything is under your control: before making a decision to delete a file you can see what's locking it.
Review by: Nikita (20)
Read all 20 reviews by Nikita
- Feb 11, 2006
- For version:
- 1.7.9
Unlocker 1.79 - best yet!
- Interface: 4
- Features: 4
- Ease of use: 4
- Value: 5
- Overall:
Unlocking or releasing files so that they can be deleted or moved has in the past been a real pain. I have tried many that promise results, and had been using GiPo@MoveOnBoot which very often after a restart the offender was still locked. Then, along came "Unlocker" and for me...problem solved!
Review by: LionBill (6)
Read all 6 reviews by LionBill
- Feb 09, 2006
- For version:
- 1.7.9
You got to have it!
- Interface: 5
- Features: 4
- Ease of use: 5
- Value: 5
- Overall:
This program really works, I got some files lock within my server and PC for years and this program get rid of it as easy as 1.2.3 The program just perform very simple task as "delete,remove and rename".
Review by: samloke (3)
Read all 3 reviews by samloke
- Feb 07, 2006
- For version:
- 1.7.9
Great program but...
- Interface: 5
- Features: 5
- Ease of use: 5
- Value: 5
- Overall:
My firewall always reports unlocker trying to call home every time I unlock something. Personally I don't think this is appropriate, but since my firewall blocks it (which slows unlocker down) I don't worry too much about it. Absolutely essential to have this program however...
Review by: ralexpdx
First post
- Feb 05, 2006
- For version:
- 1.7.8
Works perfect on xp
- Interface: 5
- Features: 5
- Ease of use: 5
- Value: 5
- Overall:
I have tried some unlocking programs. But this one is by far the best and easiest to use...
Review by: -=Waldo=- (2)
Read all 2 reviews by -=Waldo=-
- Jan 30, 2006
- For version:
- 1.7.8
This is awesome
- Interface: 5
- Features: 5
- Ease of use: 5
- Value: 5
- Overall:
I had a bunch of files on a server that were locked and would not delete, they had been that way for months. i never really looked into it very far and just left them. This app showed me what was locking the files, and i was able to delete them, What a cool tool!
Review by: pcs800 (202)
Read all 202 reviews by pcs800
