Locked Files? The Solution – Unlocker Windows Explorer Extension

The error message says – “error deleting file or folder, cannot delete folder it is being used by another person or program”.

You say – “expletive deleted”.

We’ve all had that problem attempting to delete a file that simply refused to be deleted. The reality is, these types of messages are not as uncommon as you might expect, and can be caused by any number of issues, including (let’s hope not), a malware infection.

Fortunately, there’s Unlocker – a free Windows Explorer extension (now in version 1.9) which gives you the means to handle those “expletive deleted” locked file messages – with a simple right-click on a file, or folder.

As you can see in the following screen capture, after installation – you’ll have a new command in Windows Explorer’s “right click” context menu. Click on the graphic to expand.

In the following screen shot, you’ll see that I’ve selected the Recycle Bin, and you’ll also see that this folder has a small “lock” icon beside it. The lock icon is Unlocker’s way of letting you know that this folder is locked.

Right clicking on the file (Recycle Bin) brings up a “locked” list which, as you can see in this screen capture, incorporates a series of operators you can employ on the files/s.

Fast facts: Unlocker will handle the following.

Cannot delete file: Access is denied
There has been a sharing violation.
The source or destination file may be in use.
The file is in use by another program or user.
Make sure the disk is not full or write-protected and that the file is not currently in use.

System Requirements: Windows 2000,  XP,  2003, Vista, Win 7 (64 bit available).

Languages: Multiple language support.

Download at: developer’s site (emptyloop.com/unlocker/)

As with all application installations, pay particular attention to the additional features which may have automatically being selected.

Note: Caution is the keyword here. Working with critical system files may cause system errors, or failure. If you are not familiar with these issues, seek help from an advanced user.

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Unlocker Windows Explorer Extension – Take Control Of Locked Files In Windows

If you’ve ever attempted to delete a file that simply refused to be deleted, then you know how frustrating that can be. The following screen shot illustrates just one of the commonplace warning messages a Windows user can run into when attempting to delete a File, or Folder.

This type of message can pop up more often than you might expect, and can be caused by any number of issues including (let’s hope not), a malware infection.

Unlocker, (last updated April 13, 2011), is a free Windows Explorer extension that allows you – with a simple right-click of the mouse, to handle this particular error message – as well as the following:

• Cannot delete folder: It is being used by another person or program
• Cannot delete file: Access is denied
• There has been a sharing violation.
• The source or destination file may be in use.
• The file is in use by another program or user.
• Make sure the disk is not full or write-protected and that the file is not currently in use.

After a simple straightforward installation, you will notice a new command , has been added to your Windows Explorer context menu –  as illustrated more clearly in the following Windows Explorer screen shot (Windows 8 version).

System Requirements: Windows XP, 2003, Vista, Win 7 (64 bit compatible).

Languages: Multiple languages

Download at: FileHippo

Note: Caution is the keyword here. Working with critical system files may cause system errors, or failure. If you are not familiar with these issues, seek help from an advanced user.

Note: During the Install you will have the option to install two Toolbars.

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Clean Up With Click&Clean Firefox and Chrome Extension

If there’s one thing regular readers here seem to agree on it’s – CCleaner is an awesome application. You can count me in the “awesome application” appreciation group. This free system cleaner is still my “go to” application for simple system cleanup.

CCleaner users know, that running this venerable utility can help keep a system clean by emptying the Recycle Bin, Temporary Setup Files, Downloaded Program Files, Temporary Internet Files, Old Chkdsk Files, Temporary Files, Temporary Offline Files, Offline Files, and more.

Generally, I would run CCleaner once a day – if I could remember to do so. I’ve now discovered a “no need to remember” way to launch CCleaner automatically, whenever I close my Browsers – either Firefox, or Chrome.

Click&Clean is a free Firefox and Chrome extension which not only does a major cleanup job on Browser activity in its own right (see fast facts), but the application can be set to launch CCleaner automatically (for a deeper and more secure cleaning), on Browser shut down. Additional external applications (rather than CCleaner), which can be set to run automatically include – Wise Disk Cleaner Free, Computer Janitor, and BleachBit.

Setup is simple and straightforward. From within the options menu, you can choose which external application you wish to run.

For convenience, you can add an extension icon to the Browser’s navigation Toolbar, as illustrated below.

Fast facts:

Delete your browsing history
Clear records from your download history
Remove cookies and Empty cache
Delete temporary files
Remove Flash Local Shared Objects (LSO)
Delete private data when Firefox closes
Automatically close all windows/tabs
Clean up your hard drives and Free up more disk space – including secure file deletion
Launch external applications, like CCleaner, Wise Disk Cleaner etc. on Windows – or Janitor, BleachBit, etc. on Linux

System requirements: Windows XP, Vista, Win 7, Linux, Mac

Download the Firefox version at: Mozilla

Download the Chrome version at: The Chrome Web store

The Chrome version has several additional features not available in the Firefox version.

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VTzilla – VirusTotal in Firefox

VirusTotal, an invaluable free service to the Internet community, which utilizes 42 antivirus engines to analyzes suspicious files and URLs for all types of malware, recently released a Firefox only extension – VTzilla.

VTzilla is designed to scan URLs, links, and files (potential downloads) for malware, by employing the installed toolbar, or alternatively, the right click context menu.

Note: You can stop the toolbar from appearing, by making the required adjustment in Firefox’s: View – Toolbars.

Using the toolbar, I’ve plugged in my own site address as an example.

VirusTotal’s report indicates my site is a safe site, and does not contain malware.

Taking it one step further, (paranoid common sense), I’ve clicked on “View downloaded file analysis” within the report, which indicates all 42 engines found – there is no malware. The screen capture below, shows only part of the file analysis report.

The following two screen captures illustrated both my request to scan a link on my own site – Tighten Your PC’s Security With Free Encrypt Stick, using VTzilla’s right click context menu, and the “clean” result.

Next, I visited Download.com and set up a download. Before saving the file however, using the right click context menu again, I had VirusTotal perform a scan.

The result indicates a clean file.

A couple of caveats:

Regular VirusTotal users are aware that file size is restricted to 20 MB or less, and this restriction unfortunately, is still in effect for this new service.

VTzilla is available only as a direct download from the developer’s site at the moment. It should be available from Firefox’s add-on repository, in due course.

First impressions:

Overall, I think this extension has some value. But, it is not a panacea. More and more, if a site is imbedded with malware, just visiting the site can trigger a driveby download. Porn surfers particularly, need to take note of this.

System requirements: Firefox 1.5 – 3+

Download at: the developer’s site.

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Access Denied in Windows 7? – Download Free TOwnership (Take Ownership)

I love Windows 7, since it was built with more security in mind than previous Windows operating systems. No, I’m not saying that it’s perfect, but Windows 7 is a significant improvement.

I’m all for enhanced security but, I get plenty ticked off when I need access to a specific file, or folder, and I find out Windows 7 won’t allow it. It doesn’t even trust ME, and I have administrator privileges!

Here’s an example of operating system paranoia, when I requested access to MY local settings folder.

Now, wait a minute – that’s just wrong! I’m the one in control here – not some bloody computer operating system. Computers will do as I command; not the other way around.

I understand, up to a point, why Microsoft programmers decided that some users shouldn’t have access to certain files, or folders, in order to prevent unintentional, or intentional, file or folder modification. Microsoft’s habit of “hiding”system files, by default, is one example of this “safety first” thinking.

Frankly though, I don’t allow any files or folders, on any of my systems, to remain hidden, or inaccessible. I want to know what’s there, who put it there, and most importantly – what it does.

It’s easy enough to change the default setting in Windows Explorer so that system files are no longer hidden. And, I highly recommend that you do so; since malware is notorious for sitting in these files, and attacking/changing them.

Here’s what to do, so that you can at least see these files:

On the Tools menu in Windows Explorer, click Folder Options.

Click the View tab.

Under Hidden files and folders, click Show hidden files and folders.

However, doing this will not change restricted access to certain of these files, and folders. Microsoft does provide a solution though – if you want to work through an 11 step process. I kid you not – 11 steps!

A much easier solution to this aggravation, comes in the form of a neat little free application – TOwnership.

Take Ownership is a Shell extension which adds a Windows Explorer context menu option – “Take Ownership” to all folders and files, which will allow you to take ownership of a file, or folder, thereby gaining access.

Following installation you will see the new “Take Ownership”, command in Windows Explorer context menu (right click menu), as the following screen capture shows.

When you take ownership of a file, or folder, you will see a screen similar to the following screen capture, as the application goes through its machinations.

Remember the “access denied” warning at the top of this article? After installing and launching TOwnership, it has been replaced with the following, which indicates I now have complete access to my local setting folder. So take that Windows 7!

This is a great free application that can save a user a ton of steps when taking ownership of a file, or folder, is necessary. I highly recommend it.

Download at: Softpedia

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SkyDrive Explorer – Simple, Efficient, Fast, and Free!

Guest writer Rick Robinette explains how you can manage your SkyDrive space smarter, and faster, with SkyDrive Explorer, a free extension for Windows Explorer.

If you have a Windows Live account (e.g. Hotmail) I am sure you are taking advantage of the Microsoft’s Windows SkyDrive service, which offers 25 GB’s of FREE password protected online storage space that can be used to store, access and share files.

Normally, to copy files to and from your PC to your online SkyDrive space, you are required to log into the SkyDrive service through your web browser. Today I want to expose you to a new utility, called SkyDrive Explorer, that will allow you to access and manage your SkyDrive files through Windows Explorer.

Now the thing I want directly point out here is that SkyDrive Explorer is currently in beta, was a little buggy (during my testing), and is developed by a third party developer (not Microsoft).  This app looks very promising and could change the way you manage your SkyDrive space from within Windows Explorer. I recommend you keep an eye on this one.

Features (as described by the developers):

View the structure and contents of folders in SkyDrive;

View files information (type, size, creation date in GMT format);

Create new root folders and subfolders;

Copy files into the storage;

Delete files and folders;

Copy files from the storage to the computer;

Copy folders and subfolders from the storage to the computer keeping their structure;

Use Drag & Drop for files operations;

Rename files and folders;

Create links to SkyDrive folders on your computer.

SkyDrive Explorer uses the standard Microsoft library for work with Windows Live Id services. Your personal information does not leave this library and is not passed to the SkyDrive Explorer engine. Also, the traffic with online storage goes through HTTPS protocol that protects data from snoopers.

System requirements: Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2003 and 2008, and Windows 7 – 32- and 64-bit.

Download at: SkyDrive Explorer

This is a guest post by Rick Robinette, who brings a background as a security/police officer professional, and as an information technology specialist to the Blogging world.

Why not pay a visit to Rick’s site at What’s On My PC. Like me, you’re sure to become a frequent visitor.

If you enjoyed this article, why not subscribe to this Blog via RSS, or email? It’s easy; just click on this link and you’ll never miss another Tech Thoughts article.

Free TabScope – “Real Time” Firefox Tab Preview

Guest writer, Rick Robinette, gives you the scoop on one of his favorite Firefox extensions, and how it can help you get more from your Browser sessions.

If you are a Firefox user, which by the way, is the choice browser of computer techs, I encourage you take a look at the Firefox extension called TabScope. If you are not familiar with browser extensions (sometimes called plug-ins or add-ons), then you do not know what you are missing.

A browser extension is a computer program that extends the functionality of a web browser in some way. Depending on the browser, the term may be distinct from similar terms such as plug-in or add-on. [ Wikipedia ]

TabScope is one of those extensions that I have installed to enhance the functionality of my browser session. With TabScope installed you can hover your mouse over a browser tab to get a “real-time” thumbnail preview of what is open behind the tab.

The “cool factor” with TabScope is, you can resize the thumbnail size and you can actually interact with the thumbnail.  In other words, when the thumbnail is open it is like having a mini browser window open that you can click on the links/buttons and can navigate back in forth. This is very useful if you are working with and toggling between numerous browser tabs.

I do have to say, when I installed TabScope the thumbnails were a little small for my eyes; therefore, I went into the settings and doubled the size of the thumbnail previews.

If you are person who multi-tasks in their browser, like I do, with numerous tabs open; then, TabScope is a good browser extension to install. You can download and get the TabScope extension [ HERE ]. Again, a reminder, this is a Firefox browser extension that works with the Firefox browser only.

This is a guest post by Rick Robinette, who brings a background as a security/police officer professional, and as an information technology specialist to the Blogging world.

Why not pay a visit to Rick’s site at What’s On My PC. Like me, you’re sure to become a frequent visitor.

If you enjoyed this article, why not subscribe to this Blog via RSS, or email? It’s easy; just click on this link and you’ll never miss another Tech Thoughts article.