Unlocker is a very useful software that allows users to gain full access to the files which are locked or can’t be deleted. It has been launched by Empty Loop. You might have come across situations where you can’t delete files from your system and it shows error messages like ” Cannot delete file: Access is denied”. Here Unlocker comes into the picture, this tiny software allows us to remove such applications/files from Windows PC.
We give you a list of 10 Unlocker alternatives. A very basic program having started with Windows, Unlocker lets you gain full access to files protected by Microsoft OS. It’ll allow you to delete or modify system files or any other type of file that’s considered as “protected” by Microsoft. Before you go ahead and install the file, we caution you that as an executable file, Unlocker.exe may harm your computer. So, think twice before you go for it.
Top Alternatives to Unlocker
Listed here software like Unlocker that allows deleting protected files from Windows OS. Try these free Unlocker alternatives to gain full access:
Quick Overivew
1) LockHunter
LockHunter is my favorite alternatives to Unlocker. Launched by Crystal Rich Ltd., LockHunter was launched in 2007. Crystal Rich Ltd. is based out of St. Petersburg, Russia. They are also the creators of USB Safely Remove and the advanced SATA and USB drive manager, Zentimo. LockHunter has over the years emerged as one of the most popular unlocker alternatives.
Helping you fight Malware, LockHunter allows you to delete files that have been blocked by malware or virus. It’s a free tool. It also helps you tackle other programs that block files for no reason. The good part about the LockHunter is that it doesn’t remove the files permanently, it just sends it to the Recycle bin so that you can retrieve it later if required.
Features:
- It’ll show you processes that have locked a file or a folder
- It’ll share detailed information about the process with you
- It’ll allow you to unlock, delete, copy or even rename a file that’s locked
- It’ll help you delete files during the next OS restart
- It also allows unloading of DLLs from the processes
- It seamlessly integrates into Explorer menu
- It supports both 32 bit and 64 bit Windows
- With the files being deleted into the recycle bin, they can be restored later
- You can remove locking processes from the hard drive
- It’ll help you kill locking processes
Official Website
System support: Windows 10/8/7/Vista/2003/XP
File size: 3.2 MB
2) DeadLock
You may not be able to delete, rename or move certain files that the Windows system might claim are in use. Deadlock allows you to unlock such files. It’s a totally free program and works with Windows 10 and older versions. DeadLock comes into the picture when even after closing a file, Windows still says that it’s in use. DeadLock helps by cutting all ties that prevent the file from closing and eventually let you unlock it.
Features:
- You can unlock files that can’t be deleted
- It’ll help you remove files that are locked
- It’ll allow you to copy locked files
- It’ll help you move them
- It comes with automatic updates
- You can have ownership of a file or folder
The deadLock has gained popularity as an alternative to Unlocker as the latter has added various adware offers to the installer.
Official Website
System support: Windows
File size: 5.4 MB
3) FileASSASIN
FileASSASIN was launched by Malwarebytes in 2004 after Marcin Kleczynski after his computer was affected by a malware. FileASSASIN works by helping you get rid of locked files of any type from your computer. FileASSASIN helps you remove files when you see the following notifications pop up on your screen.
- Cannot delete file: Access is denied
- Make sure the disk is not full or write-protected and that the file is not currently in use
- The source or destination file may be in use
- The file is in use by another program or user
FileASSASIN has a few features that make it distinct and different from Unlocker.
- It helps delete locked files of any type
- Works on most commonly faced locking issues faced by users
- It offers limited protection against antivirus and malware
- Process of deleting the locked files is relatively easy
Official Website
System software: Windows
File size: 164 KB
4) IObit Unlocker
IObit Unlocker was launched in 2004. It helps enhance your computer’s performance. It is the winner of around 100 awards and boasts of as many as 250 million downloads. IObit works when users face common issues like,
- Cannot delete files
- Access is denied
- The file is in use by another program or user
- There has been a sharing violation
Features:
- Comes with multi-functions like “unlock and delete”, “unlock and rename”, “unlock and move” and “unlock and copy”.
- Allows safety of data and disk stability by offering a safe method to modify the files and folders on your PC
- It’s free and easy to use
- Helps rename, copy or move files apart from deleting them
Official Website
System Support: Windows 10/8/7/Vista/XP
File size: 2.4 MB
5) BlitzBlank
Developed by Emsisoft, the developers of Firewall, BlizBlank helps remove files that are difficult to delete, especially malicious files and processes. It removes files when your Windows boots before any software can lock a file. Apart from just files and folders, unlike Unlocker, BlitzBlank helps remove registry entries.
Features:
- Meant for more advanced users
- Comes with a warning cautioning you that it’s for more advanced users
- Helps disable drivers and execute other files
- It’s portable executable making it adaptable to a USB toolkit
Official Website
System support: Windows
File size: 1.1 MB
6) Wise Force Deleter
Just as any other file unlocking software including unlocker, Wise Force Deleter to helps delete files that Windows can’t. It removes the file access restrictions helping you remove files that wouldn’t delete otherwise. Its use is easy as it can be accessed through the context menu.
Features:
- Easy to use
- A new option “Force Delete” appears on the context menu and files can be deleted by right-clicking on it
- It has a user-friendly interface
- Supports drag and drop
- Compatible with almost all Windows versions
Official Website
System support: Windows 10, 8, 7 and older version
File size: 1.87 MB
7) EMCO Unlock IT
EMCO Unlock IT is a product of EMCO which was set up in 2001 in Reykjavik, Iceland. EMCO Unlock IT is capable of detecting various types of locks that deny access to a file or folder. EMCO Unlock IT opens the file and library handles. Therefore, it prevents the locking of files or folders by blocking the processes and resources that do so. It deletes locked files or folders by using the process of unlocking.
Features
- It employs forced closing of file handles
- It works by terminating the locking processes
- Works with on boot deletion
- It is Windows Explorer integrated
Official Website
System support: Windows
File size: 48.27 MB
8) Pocket KillBox
Pocket KillBox is a convenient file for unlocking software. It’s a free Windows software that can be categorized as a software utility service. Very popular in Indonesia, Greece and the US, PocketKillBox doesn’t need too much space either.
Features:
- It works on Windows 10 and older versions
- It’s available only in English
- It works when the computer reboots
- It now has a few new features and is easy to use
Official Website
System software: Win 10 / 8 / 7 / Vista / XP
File size: 91.5 MB
9) Long Path Fixer
Long Path Fixer is more than just a file deleting software. What makes it different from Unlocker is that it’s capable of helping you manage files by overcoming the character limit set in the API handler. There are files with paths that are too long for the API handler. Long Path Fixer helps you modify these files.
Features:
- Provides a separate API engine that allows more characters than the Windows path reader
- Enables you to quickly copy both the long and short file paths
- It helps edit long file paths
- It runs in the system tray allowing instant access to it
Download
System software:
File size: 436 KB
10) File Governor
File Governor’s system of working is similar to that of Unlocker. It deletes a file forcefully while also unlocking its handles including the DLL file handles. Some knowledge of which processes to kill is required as it works by terminating the process when unlocking the handle doesn’t work.
Features:
- There are both portable and setup versions
- Portable version is added to the Windows context menu where it includes the right-click entry option
- It works only on Windows 2000 and above
- Comes with options like force delete, delete on reboot or rename a single file on the Tools menu
Official Website
System software: Windows
File size: 1908 KB
Conclusion
Not being able to delete files can be so frustrating! They’re such a waste of time! File unlocking software is the rescuer when you feel like tearing your hair when denied access to a file. Our list of unlocker alternatives gives you the freedom to choose from much such software available. It’s always wise to try out new options.
Other Similar Software:
The alternatives are user friendly too. There are some that are compatible with certain versions of windows. All of these are very handy when it comes to deleting, renaming, moving or copying files apart from their primary function of unlocking them. Our article gives you brief and important details of 10 of the most popular file or folder unlocking software available in the market. Do let us know how they perform. Goodbye and good luck!
