PowerToys File LockSmith

PowerToys Tips

Last updated on Sep 15, 2024 1 min read PowerToys

Handy tool for finding which process keeps your file in use

PowerToys have a new handy tool that you helps to find fast the process that holds your file hostage when you want to delete it for example. Just by right clicking on it and choose for ‘What’s using this file?’

File-LockSmith-002
File-LockSmith-002

And then you get a nice screen with the process that is holding your file hostage.

File-LockSmith-001
File-LockSmith-001

How to activate it

On the taskbar you click on the ^ (Hidden Taskbar Icons) and then double click on PowerToys icon.

File-LockSmith-004
File-LockSmith-004

You will get the PowerToys configuration screen and click here on the left on ‘File LockSmith’

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File-LockSmith-003

Here you can Enable or Disable it.

Microsoft PowerToys Windows