Hacker 10 – Security Hacker

Tag: erase locked files

  • Unlock and delete blocked files with LockHunter

    Unlock and delete blocked files with LockHunter

    Lockhunter can unblock and erase files or folders blocked for no reason, like malware protecting files against user deletion. LockHunter can be used through the interface or with the integrated Windows right click context menu, after selecting a file you will see a choice reading “What is blocking this file?” that will give you information on the process that is holding it up, instantly knowing if the file is in use or it is maliciously prevented from deletion.

    It is not necessary to erase a blocked file, you can choose to unlock and rename or unlock and copy it somewhere else, the program can be used from the command line, useful in case you can’t launch software due to computer problems. LockHunter can unload DLLs (Dynamic Link Library) from processes without terminating the process, a DLL is a  a Windows executable shared library with the extension .dll , .ocx , .cpl or .drv and can cause files to lock.

    Lockhunter unlocks blocked files
    Lockhunter unlocks blocked files

    In my experience specialist data wiping tools like Eraser can also get rid of blocked files or folders, but LockHunter adds many more options, it gives you information on what process is using the file or folder and it sends it to the Recycle Bin making it possible to restore it if necessary, greatly reducing the possibilities of erasing something by mistake, just because a file is locked it doesn’t mean it is malware. A portable version of Lockhunter is planned for the future.

    Visit LockHunter homepage

  • Delete locked files and folders with FilExile

    Delete locked files and folders with FilExile

    Windows File Protection (WFP), first introduced with Windows Millennium, (Windows Vista uses something called Windows Resource Protection) is a built system that detects the replacement and overwriting of system files, caused by malware or badly written software, if system files where to be erased it would cause continuous operating system crashes and even prevent it from booting up. Windows File Protection can not be turned off by users (unless using a kernel debugger).

    After uninstalling a program you will find junk files left behind due to a substandard uninstaller, many times those files can not be manually erased with Windows complaining that they are locked, another explanation for locked files is corrupted files or changed file permissions, it is also possible that folders pointing to an invalid name or to an extremely long path can give you an error when you attempt to erase them, and there are malware files locking themselves in to prevent you from erasing infected files.

    FilExile erase locked files
    FilExile erase locked files

     Erasing locked files

    FileExile is an easy to use open source program that will get rid of hard to erase folders and files, all you have to do is to locate the hard to erase file or folder, select it and click on “Delete“, you will not even need to reboot your computer. FileExile allows you to log all operations to keep track of what has been erased.

    I have also managed to erase locked files using a simple secure data shredding application this gets around Windows File Protection most times and circumvents Windows recycle bin.

    Visit FilExile homepage