How to Unlock a File on Windows 10 & Windows 11

You need to unlock a file before being able to use it

4 min. read

Updated onOctober 4, 2023

updated onOctober 4, 2023

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Key notes

Sometimes users can’t modify files in Windows 10 & 11 because they are locked. Windows displays variable error messages whenever users try to modify locked files along the lines of:The source or destination file may be in use, The file is in use by another program, The action can’t be completed because the file is open in.

All suchfile-lockingerrors prevent users from renaming, copying, deleting, and moving files when needed. Fortunately, it’s usually relatively straightforward to unlock a file with the methods below.

What is a locked file?

A locked file is one that Windows has temporarily restricted access to with its file-locking mechanism. The OS locks files in use by other programs or processes to ensure they can’t be simultaneously modified.

So, a locked file error means another program (process) is using the same file you’re trying to modify. Such an issue can also arise for shared files that can be edited by other users in a network environment.

Users can usuallyunlock filesby ending the program processes utilizing them, as outlined in this guide’s resolutions. Terminating those processes will lift the applied file locking.

How do I unlock a locked file in Windows 10?

Before applying the resolutions below, check a few things first:

If you still have problems with locked files in Windows, use the solutions below.

1. End background processes in Task Manager

2. Restart Windows by Clean Booting

3. Use a dedicated tool

4. Unlock files with PowerToys’ File Locksmith Tool

File Locksmith is another utility you can unlock files with, which is included within the Microsoft PowerToys software. That tool detects processes using a locked file and enables you to end tasks.

To utilize File Locksmith, install the latestMicrosoft PowerToys version. Windows Report’sFile Locksmith postincludes instructions for using that tool and installing PowerToys via PowerShell.

How to unlock a file in Windows 11?

We outlined solutions on how to unlock a file in Windows 10, but all the methods above can be performed identically on Windows 11 as well.

Those methods will almost certainly enable you to unlock all your locked files in Windows 10/11. Then you’ll be able to modify the files however you need to again.

Closing background processeswith Task Manager or clean booting will often work for unlocking files. However, It’s worth installing a third-party tool like IObit Unlocker or PowerToys since they make it easier to identify background processes locking files.

How to Unlock a File on Windows 10 & Windows 11#

What is a locked file?#

How do I unlock a locked file in Windows 10?#

1. End background processes in Task Manager#

2. Restart Windows by Clean Booting#

3. Use a dedicated tool#

4. Unlock files with PowerToys’ File Locksmith Tool#

How to unlock a file in Windows 11?#