Have you come across that you can’t delete certain folder or file even you are the administrator?
And you are damn sure that no one is using that folder or file as well. This is very frustrating isn’t it. Well, at least I felt that way.
2 solutions that I come across:
- Windows 7 (32 or 64 bit) compatible unlocker : lockhunter
-
Take Ownership.
All files could be downloaded from HERE
If windows keep telling you that you can’t delete or move that folder because somebody or something is using it (even you are the only user on that pc), you may need a nifty application to release that folder or file from OS hand. As for myself (for Windows 7 x64), I use lockhunter. You may get it at : http://lockhunter.com/ . Best of all, it is a freeware.
But, if Windows keep telling you that you need to have xxxxx privilege from xxxxx in order to delete that file mean you need to take ownership of that folder/file. The easiest way to do so is by adding premade registry entry and take ownership by right clicking on that folder/file.
-
Download Take Ownership registry : HERE
-
Unzip it and right click à merge
-
Go to the locked folder and right click à Take Ownership
- Done. Now you can delete that locked folder/file.
Expertester 
The take Ownership registry hack worked like a charm. I had sever gigs of stupid Microsoft OneCare backups that I couldn’t delete off of my external drive. Been going nuts for a year. One right click and 15 seconds later. They are gone!! Thanks for posting this!!!!!
Did not work for me. I was trying to delete a directory left on C: after installing Windows 7 but no luck at all with this. Keep on serching for a solution.
I was not able to delete some files or folders lying in win7-64 with this program’s 64bit ver1, beta3.
Did not work when trying to delete an old version of windows on another drive that no longer works. Pesky windows OS files are a pain to delete.
open win folder,then delete 1 buy one folder after aplay take ownership
use a program called unlocker. works like a charm
lockhunter working fine. 🙂
thank you
Thnx! This really worked
thank you. take ownership worked. and it helped me remove the ardamax keylogger in the recycle bin that wont budge off before 🙂 *salutes*
Thanks so much… take ownership was the solution, after hours of frustration!!!
No luck here:-(
Properties -> Click (to remove) Read only
and then
Delete
It should work…
Worked fine for me on a 64 Bit W2k8 R2 server to show me the *!&!*x* service which had my files locked.
THX!
wow! it’s like magic! take ownership really worked for me! thank you so so so much!! =)
Thank you so much.Ownership worked perfectly.
takeownership worked very well. thank you for the tips.
I had a folder appear on my external hard drive called “bafd716c585ae87d6f09af”, no idea why or from where it came. Everything I did to try deleting it required “permission from SYSTEM” – I was very concerned until I found THIS! Now it’s been deleted. Thanks so much.
thank you you are out of this world it worked perfectly
Thanks, worked for me perfectly, that ownership files are amazing, finally was able to delete that ***** folder
Taking ownership works like a magic!!!
Its not working ?
I’ve been looking for this for ages! Taking ownership worked so well. Thanks 🙂
beauuuuuty!
YOU ARE A FRICKIN LIFE SAVER!!!!!! I had an annoying file on my external hardrive that I couldnt delete. It was something from Microsoft. Anyway thanks!!!!!!!!
work 100% thanks
the Take Ownership solved my problem. Had a windows update folder in my external disk and it won’t get deleted.
cool it really works
Take owner ship method works fine
Thank you so much guy, finaly works
Finally something that is working, thanks much
Excellent post at How to delete locked file/folder in Windows 7 Expertester. I was checking continuously this blog and I’m impressed! Very useful information particularly the last part 🙂 I care for such info a lot. I was seeking this certain information for a long time. Thank you and best of luck.
Couldn’t get LockHunter to download so i tried the RegEdit solution and worked perfect.
Thanks
Thanks a lot , Ownership really helped ..thanks a lot !!
thanks! take ownership allowed me to remove locked folders that i couldn’t before!
Worked incredibly, i set the ownerships and it didn’t fly, but this was an in and out job
How to delete locked file/folder in Windows 7 Expertester I was recommended this blog by my cousin. I am not sure whether this post is written by him as no one else know such detailed about my trouble. You are wonderful! Thanks! your article about How to delete locked file/folder in Windows 7 ExpertesterBest Regards Yoder
Worked like a CHAMP! 8.7GB of locked files gone!
SET DIRECTORY_NAME=”PATH_TO_YOUR_LOCKED_DIR”
TAKEOWN /f %DIRECTORY_NAME% /r /d y
ICACLS %DIRECTORY_NAME% /grant administrators:F /t
PAUSE
Put the above script in a notepad file and save it as “del.bat” and choose to “Run as Administrator” then delete ur folder.
doesn´t work at all. Tried everything. Windows sucks. It is time to go back to a REAL OS : Mac Os X.
I had the similar problem and tried Long Path Tool, available at
http://www.pathtoodeep.com/. It helped me to solve this problem easily.
Try it, and you will definitely love this tool. Its free.
Hey it worked. THNX a LOOOOOOOOOT
Thanks a ton. The registry keys worked like a charm !!!!!!!! Many many thanks
Thankyou very much take ownership worked a treat.
wow it worked perfect.. thanks…
thank you thank you thank you!!!!!
Great application. It even shows the process locking the app, and gives you the option to stop them as well.
you are a genius. That have unblock 22 Go of shitty windows files !!! thanks a lot.
Fantastic… ‘Take Ownership’ reg key was something to reckon with…. !
Lockhunter worked well for me. I was trying to remove one last dll installed by iMesh (stay away from it). I was simply unable to delete the DLL and lockhunter enabled me to get rid of it immediately.
Thanks so much for the information. Much appreciated.
take ownership reg entry best thing ever thanx
take ownership registry , works like a charm! thanks
Awesome worked like a charm 😀
Doesn’t work win7
Hi, the Take ownership preprogrammed registery worked on my win 7, and it can be removed just as easily. My copy of win 7 is a tchinese copy for anyone needing that info.
Thanks.
works like a charm on Windows 7 Enterprise Sp1 64bit. Thank you.
Ok, how about this one.. My teacher gave me what he thought was a copy of Microsoft Office 2010. Instead, it was a corrupt file. It shows up in My Computer as a Q: drive and Malwarebytes will even scan it as it does the hard drives. It doesn’t even give an option to delete it. Please help!
VERY VERY THANK YOU ADMIN
great suggession. It worked for me.
Man, the take ownership is the best thing I’ve ever had tonight. Thank you.
Now I can get rid of persistent virus.
just worked! awesome! thanks for the help!
My family always say that I am wasting my time here at web,
but I know I am getting know-how every day by reading thes fastidious content.
Takeownership worked where lockhunter failed to find any problem. Thanks!
I need to know how to remove the self-locking the computer. when watching a movie or listening to music and not move the mouse locks alone.
[…] How to delete locked file / folder in Windows 7 | Expertester – Sep 28, 2009 · All files could be downloaded from HERE If windows keep telling you that you can’t delete or move that folder because somebody or something is using it …… […]
[…] How to delete locked file/folder in … – 28.09.2009 · All files could be downloaded from HERE If windows keep telling you that you can’t delete or move that folder because somebody or something is using it …… […]
[…] How to delete locked file / folder in Windows 7 | … – 28/9/2009 · All files could be downloaded from HERE If windows keep telling you that you can’t delete or move that folder because somebody or something is using it …… […]
[…] How to delete locked file / folder in Windows 7 | … – Sep 28, 2009 · Have you come across that you can’t delete certain folder or file even you are the administrator? And you are damn sure that no one is using that folder …… […]
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