Incidentally, the PowerToys file locksmith can also examine entire folders by analyzing them with a right-click. Of course, you should first check whether you cannot release the file properly, for example by closing the corresponding program. With a click on end task 7ZIP will be closed and you can delete the locked file - use of course at your own risk :) Are you sure now that you can definitely delete the file? Then click end taskto kill the corresponding process. Here you can see which process is blocking the file - in our example the archiving program 7-Zip. Now a new window opens with the said file key service. If you now come across a locked file under Windows, click on it with the right mouse button and select the entry in the context menu What does this file use?.

This is how you can find out which program is blocking a file You can then use the function in the section File Locksmith of the PowerToys settings. To use the File Locksmith, you only need a current version of the PowerToys from the Github page download and install. If a file is used by another program on Windows, you cannot delete or move it. So now there is a way to more easily identify locked files on Windows 10 and Windows 11 and release them for deletion. The open source collection is quite reliably expanded with new functions, such as the camera blockage or the practical one Text recognition via screenshot.

The File Locksmith or in the German edition File Locksmith keeps with version 0.64 Entry into the Microsoft PowerToys. Unlock locked files via file lock service But thanks to a new addition to the highly practical microsoft power toys that's no problem: The 'file locksmith' helps you to recognize locked files and release them if necessary. However, Windows errors or program crashes can result in a file or folder remaining permanently locked. As a rule, that's a good thing, because you shouldn't usually delete any files that are currently being used by the system or a program. This means that you cannot delete them or move them to another location on the hard drive. When you're handling files on Windows, sooner or later you'll reach the point where a file is locked.

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