Software for deleting files used by another process

Question

I want a software, similar to Unlocker or something in which we can delete files that are used by another process, for Windows 2008 R2.

Answer 1

If you mean the Kernel itself, you may be out of luck... If you mean just on Windows 2008 R2, I recommend you use Microsoft / Sysinternals Process Explorer.

You can press the find button and type the name of the file you are trying to delete, it will then show you what application / module has an active handle to it and basically kill that process so you can delete the file.

Answer 2

The sysinternals handle command can find what process has a file locked, and forceably close the handle.

Answer 3

Another alternative is Lockhunter.

Answer 4

Try WhoLockMe. It says NT/2K/XP but it may work with 2008

Answer 5

To delete files / folder locked by the system. 1.- Locate the folder c:\users\xxx 2.- Try to take ownership of the folder and subfolder : (it will probably failed) 3.- If not failing, give you full rights to the folders and subfolder and delete it. 4.- But since it’s failing, we need to find witch windows process lock the files. 5.- Start Microsoft SysInternal\procexp.exe 6.- Go to find, find handle 7.- Do a search c:\users\xxx 8.- Take not of the PID number that is locking the files (second column) 9.- Go back and Kill process or Kill process tree if it’s a tree. 10.- Go back to the folder and take the owner ship of the folder and subfolder c:\users\xxxx 11.- Give you full rights of the folder and subfolder c:\users\xxx 12.- Delete the c:\users\xxx folder 13.- Log back the user, he will have a fresh new profiles.

How to take owner ship and give you full rights of a folders and subfolders 1.- Locate your c:\users\xxx folder 2.- Right mouse on it | properties | Security | Advanced | Owner | Edit | Choose your ad account | Replace Owner on subcontainers and objects | Apply 3.- Go back to Permissions tab | change permissions | add your ad account | Full control | Replace all child object permissions with inheritable permissions from this object 4.- Now delete your c:\users\xxx folder.