When attempting to delete or rename a file or folder you should follow these steps in the following order:

1. The first, and easiest method, is to shut down any programs that may be currently using that file. When a program is using a file it tends to exclusively lock that file so it can’t be modified or renamed while it’s in use. By shutting down the program using it, you unlock that file or folder so that you can work with it.
2. Reboot your computer. When you reboot your computer, this will shut down any open programs and hopefully on reboot allow you to work with the file in question.
3. Reboot into safe mode and try to rename or delete the folder. When you are in safe mode a limited number of programs start up automatically. This provides a greater chance or being able to rename or delete a stubborn file or folder.
4. Last but not least, download a file unlocking utility. File unlocking programs will find the processes that are using the file and attempt to close them or disconnect their connection to the file or folder so they can be deleted, renamed, or otherwise manipulated. These programs tend to do the work for you so you do not have to deal with the headache of finding the program that is keeping a file open. In the next section we explain how to use one such program, called IObit Unlocker.

Using IObit Unlocker to work with in use and open files

If you are still reading this, then you must be at step 4 above. To help solve this problem, we introduce a program called IObit Unlocker. Unlocker is a program that kicks in when Windows can’t delete or rename a file and provides a series of options for enabling you to do so.

This background program stays resident and detects when you try to delete, copy, rename, or move a file that is in use. When it detects one of these operations, it automatically open up a Window in order to assist you in working with the file.

In our example, we are trying to delete a file called C:\Test\Readme.doc. When we try to delete the file Windows tells us the file is being user by another person or program and that it cannot delete it. It also suggests we close any programs that might be using the file and try again. Well since we already tried the previous steps, we know this won’t work and press OK.To unlock the file, we navigate to the folder C:\Test, where the file we wish to remove is located.

When you click on the IObit Unlocker option, the program will start and display the locked file you selected. When it opens, if you receive a prompt asking if you wish to allow the program to run, you can allow it to do so.

To unlock the file, simply click on the Unlock button. If it doesnt, work you should try these steps again, but this time select the Force button before clicking the Unlock button. When you select the Force option, IObit Unlocker will terminate the process using the file in order to unlock it. Obviously, make sure you save any documents that this program is currently using before using this feature.

Depending on the option you choose, Unlocker will then ask where you would like copy or move the file or what file name you wish to rename it to.