LockHunter is a utility with a very specific purpose: it lets you delete, move and rename files even if they have been locked by certain processes, and even if these processes were started by other users.
The tool has an easy-to-use interface that does not pose any difficulty as you should simply browse for the locked item. There is even the possibility to right-click the desired file or folder on Windows File Manager and select the option “What is locking this file?”. Likewise, advanced users may like the possibility to execute certain procedures directly from the command line. However, I would have liked to have more help in finding locked files. In this respect, it would be good if the program could automatically display a list of the currently blocked items.
After the desired file or folder is selected, the program can find the processes that are presently using it. Then, you can perform various operations you could not execute otherwise, such as unlocking, removing and renaming the item. Similarly, it lets you move the file to a different location and even delete it at next system restart. It is great that the program shows alerts when unlocking a file may imply losing data.
In general, LockHunter can be the solution to manipulating locked files. It works efficiently and without using too many system resources. Fortunately, it is absolutely free to use. Its only disadvantage has to do with it is not being very versatile, as unlocking items is everything it can do.
v3.2 [Jul 22, 2017]
Bug fixes:
On some configurations the program stopped displaying its UI
It was impossible to select a locked file from the open file dilog ('file in use' error)
The program displayed a wrong message on command line "delete" command Incorrect order of "kill" command when called with "delete" switch ("delete" called before "kill" which lead to inabilty to delete a blocked file)
A message may display even when the program called with "silent" command line switch
The program displayed success message on deletion failure of a folder
Some minor interface glitches in classic Windows theme fixed
Command line may loose some parameters when run from non elevated environment
New features:
Now command line return non zero exit code in case of unsuccessful operation. Find list of exit codes in the manual "delperm" command line switch added. It allows to delete a file permanently without taking it to the Recycle Bin
A file viewer with a modern, easy to use interface. V is FAST, can handle large files with ease, and
