When a file is open by another app or process, Windows 10 puts the file into a locked state, and you can't delete, modify, or move it to another location. Usually, after the file is no longer in use, the application will unlock it automatically, but that's not always the case. Sometimes, a file may not unlock successfully, and even if you try to take any action, you'll see a warning that the operation can't be completed because it's open by another program.
If you must delete or take different actions with a locked file, there are at least two methods you can use to unlock it, including using Microsoft's Process Explorer tool and Safe Mode.
In this Windows 10 guide, we walk you through the steps to get rid of files even if they're locked by an app or process.
How to unlock files using Process Explorer
If you need to unlock a file currently being used by a program or system process and you can't restart your device, you can use these steps:
- Download Process Explorer from this Microsoft website.
- Extract the content inside the ProcessExplorer.zip compressed folder. (You can refer to these instructions if you need additional help on how to do this task.)
- Double-click the procexp.exe if you're running a 32-bit version of Windows 10 or procexp64.exe if you're running a 64-bit version10 to launch the app.
- Click on File, and select the Show Details for All Processes option.
- Click on Find, and select the Find Handle or DLL option.
- Type the name of the locked file in the field, and click the Search button.
- Select the file from the search result.
- Behind the search window, in 'Process Explorer,' right-click the locked file, and select Close Handle to unlock it.
- Important: If the file is being used by more than one process, repeat the steps to close all handles.
Once you complete these steps, you can go ahead and safely delete or modify the unlocked file.
How to unlock files using Safe Mode
Usually, when you come across a locked file, you can simply restart your device to unlock it. However, if the application has a service that loads during startup, it might keep locking a file as soon as you sign in. You can either disable the app from loading at startup, or you can boot into Safe Mode to unlock and delete the file. Here's how:
- Open Settings.
- Click on Update & Security.
- Click on Recovery.
- Under 'Advanced Startup,' click the Restart now button.
- Click on Troubleshoot.
- Click on Advanced options.
- Click on Startup Settings.
- Click the Restart button.
- On 'Startup Settings,' press F4 to enable Safe Mode.
While in Safe Mode, use File Explorer to locate and delete the files that were previously locked, then simply restart your device as you would normally to exit Safe Mode.
Wrapping things up
Although there a number of tools available on the internet designed specifically to deal with locked files, on Windows 10 there is more than one way to remove these type of files without having to get software from unknown sources.
It's important to note that unlocking and deleting files on Windows 10 may cause system and program issues, depending on the type of files you're trying to unlock. So be careful of what you delete if you're not sure of the consequences.
More Windows 10 resources
For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10, visit the following resources:
This post may contain affiliate links. See our disclosure policy for more details.
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IObit Unlocker is a light-weighted yet powerful tool designed to fix the “Cannot Delete” or “Access Denied” problems. It can “Force” terminate all related processes that prevent you from deleting or accessing files / folders that you need to. IObit Unlocker also provides several useful options to make your work easier, like “Unlock & Delete”, “Unlock & Rename”, “Unlock & Move”, and “Unlock & Copy”. You wouldn’t be annoyed any more by messages like “Cannot delete file: Access is denied”, “undeleted files”, “The file is in use by another program or user”, or “There has been a sharing violation”!
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Quick After-unlock Operations
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You can choose from “Unlock & Delete”, “Unlock & Rename”, “Unlock & Move”, or “Unlock & Copy” to easily carry out the next operation with IObit Unlocker
Unlock Multiple Files/Folders
IObit Unlocker supports unlocking multiple files or folders on desktop or else places at the same time.
IObit Unlocker supports unlocking multiple files or folders on desktop or else places at the same time.
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Terminate All Related Processes
IObit Unlocker is able to terminate all related processes that lock the file or folder when switching to “Forced” mode.
IObit Unlocker is able to terminate all related processes that lock the file or folder when switching to “Forced” mode.
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IObit Unlocker is safe and secure, without any virus, adware, and spyware.
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How to Unlock an OS Drive Encrypted by BitLocker in Windows 10
BitLocker Drive Encryption is a data protection feature that integrates with the operating system and addresses the threats of data theft or exposure from lost, stolen, or inappropriately decommissioned computers.
When you turn on BitLocker for an OS drive, you can choose to unlock the drive at startup with a password, USB flash drive, PIN (with TPM), or automatically unlock.
If you chose to unlock the OS drive with a password, PIN, or USB flash drive and forgot or lost them, then you can still unlock the OS drive with its BitLocker recovery key.
This tutorial will show you different ways on how to unlock an operating system (OS) drive encrypted by BitLocker in Windows 10.
When you turn on BitLocker for an OS drive, you can choose to unlock the drive at startup with a password, USB flash drive, PIN (with TPM), or automatically unlock.
If you chose to unlock the OS drive with a password, PIN, or USB flash drive and forgot or lost them, then you can still unlock the OS drive with its BitLocker recovery key.
This tutorial will show you different ways on how to unlock an operating system (OS) drive encrypted by BitLocker in Windows 10.
CONTENTS:
- Option One: Unlock BitLocker OS Drive at Startup with USB Flash Drive
- Option Two: Unlock BitLocker OS Drive at Startup with Password
- Option Three: Unlock BitLocker OS Drive at Startup with PIN
- Option Four: Unlock BitLocker OS Drive at Startup with Recovery Key
Unlock BitLocker OS Drive at Startup with USB Flash Drive
1. Boot the PC.
2. If you don't already have the USB flash drive with the BitLocker startup key on it connected, then connect the USB, and press Enter to reboot and try again. (see screenshot below)
3. If successfully unlocked, you will now be able to sign in to Windows 10. (see screenshots below)
Unlock BitLocker OS Drive at Startup with Password
1. Boot the PC.
2.
Enter the password to unlock this OS drive, and press Enter. (see screenshot below)
3. If successfully unlocked, you will now be able to sign in to Windows 10. (see screenshots below)
Unlock BitLocker OS Drive at Startup with PIN
1. Boot the PC.
2. Enter the PIN to unlock this OS drive, and press Enter. (see screenshot below)
3. If successfully unlocked, you will now be able to sign in to Windows 10. (see screenshots below)
Unlock BitLocker OS Drive at Startup with Recovery Key
1. Boot the PC.
2. Press the Esc key when you see the BitLocker screen. (see screenshot below)
3. Make note of the first section of numbers (ex: '19A6196C') for the Recovery key ID to help ID the recovery key for this OS drive. (see screenshot below)
4. Go to where you backed up the BitLocker recovery key for this OS drive. Look for the 48-digit recovery key for this OS drive that matches its key ID (ex: '19A6196C') from step 3
above. (see screenshot below)
5. Enter the 48-digit recovery key for this drive from step 4 above, and press Enter
. (see screenshot below)
6. If successfully unlocked, you will now be able to sign in to Windows 10. (see screenshots below)
That's it,
Shawn