“File Locksmith” from PowerToys will let you know why you cannot delete files

1 min. read

Published on September 29, 2022

published on September 29, 2022

Readers help support Windows Report. We may get a commission if you buy through our links.

PowerToys has been on the receiving end as far as features and updates are concerned, with the latest version 0.62.0 adding a screen ruler, quick accent tool, and text extractor. In August, the tool also got a new feature, PowerOCR which lets users copy text from any image opened in Windows.

And now, there’s yet another new feature in the works for Microsoft’s PowerToys app on Windows dubbed “File Locksmith.” The tool is designed to help users easily identify processes holding a file open, showing why they cannot erase certain files, for example.

nice little #powertoy work in progress, file locksmith. https://t.co/UMyDI3YasS pic.twitter.com/XaBqSwVzwl

— Clint Rutkas (@ClintRutkas) September 28, 2022

The feature will list the processes, their IDs, blocked files and finally have a button which is in place to help users end the processes that are currently running, thus preventing deletion of the file. Share your thoughts with us regarding this feature below.

Radu Tyrsina

Radu Tyrsina has been a Windows fan ever since he got his first PC, a Pentium III (a monster at that time). For most of the kids of his age, the Internet was an amazing way to play and communicate with others, but he was deeply impressed by the flow of information and how easily you can find anything on the web. Prior to founding Windows Report, this particular curiosity about digital content enabled him to grow a number of sites that helped hundreds of millions reach faster the answer they're looking for.