hamhound, Pure deductive reasoning might have given you the answer. The name Force Delete and the fact that it is for computers would thus have indicated to you that it is used to force delete computer items.

hamhound,

Guess you didn't read the description? Here's the Cliff Notes version:

1) Deletes files [and] folders [that are in] use by other processes and cannot be deleted.
2) Shred[s] files [and folders] to permanently [(and securely)] delete [them].

hamhound, The purpose of this programme is described lucidly in the description. That is; for those who know Windows somewhat like a system administrator. If you are only a user of application software, do not let yourself in with this utility. Because you might kill files your system depends on.

Use it only if you are capable of installing Windows and your applications all by yourself. If not, do not install it.

krypteller, Yes good advice. Just use with common sense and caution.

Ps.
If you need to remove thing's like Ransom ware you need to turn off your system and restart in Dos mode F7or F10 something like that, It's been a wile, then reinstall your system from a Windows back up.

sid, works only if you are aware of which exact process is holding the file open AND it is not a critical process required by windows AND it does not re-launch and re-open the file before you can rename the file.

"The way I remove stubborn prog's is too end the process in task manager, rename the file, restart and del the offending file."

Maybe... as TK points out, that doesn't always work, plus sometimes Windows can just adapt, using the file with its new name as-is.

"If you need to remove thing's like Ransom ware you need to turn off your system and restart in Dos mode"

If ransomware's got ya that's not likely going to help. If you do want/need to restart into command line mode, see this page:

support.microsoft[.]com/en-us/windows/recovery-options-in-windows-31ce2444-7de3-818c-d626-e3b5a3024da5

TK, sorry been playing and comps for 40yrs+ so things I take has a given, others don't know, my bad.

Almost forgot "forcedelete" dose the same job as this progy. do a search to understand how it works.

sid, This IS ForceDelete, lol

Tony Harvey, you are describing FAT* filesystems that are NOT used for windows NT system drives. NTFS is different and might not even use the 8.3 file naming convention entry used by FAT*. The character the first letter is changed to is a legacy low level formatted character so MS-DOS assumes the entry is empty. You can schedule a locked file for deletion at reboot or use free third party tools like https://www.nirsoft.net/utils/opened_files_view.html with varying degrees of success.

"You don't need such a program."

Strictly speaking, no you don't -- you can always leave whatever file on your hard disk/SSD & try to ignore it when simply deleting the file won't work.

"The TrustedInstaller of Windows, can lock your files that you can not be deleted."

Needing it is a bit rare, but icacls ["Displays or modifies discretionary access control lists (DACLs) on specified files, and applies stored DACLs to files in specified directories."] might help.

docs.microsoft[.]com/en-us/windows-server/administration/windows-commands/icacls

"Especially the ones in System32 (drivers) folder"

Drivers are tricky... You can try to remove them from the registry [use AutoRuns & then search for 2nd entry] & then delete after restart, *if* Windows will start [back up or at least set a restore point 1st]. You can try to uninstall in Device Mgr. 1st, but Windows may just reinstall it immediately -- copies are stored in DriverStore\ FileRepository, so maybe get rid of that beforehand.

Ray, IMHO every one should know something about the OS their using, the reason I use windows is it's lazy-boy OS Linux or Unix would be my OS of choice, but i relay can't be bothered to set up all the scrip's needed just to run a simple game or even a utility.

Tony Harvey, Well, yes, that's plainly known. But what is your point?

mike,:

C:\Windows\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository

Thanks for the heads up - I'll look there on backup drives for reinstall resources.

Sometimes I can only reinstall some things using [search] [C:\WIndows ] [ Include subdirectories ] - I guess [ FileRepository ] is where it finally found the stuff I needed, now I know where to start.

Thanks.
.

Ivan, I wonder about that too.

Ivan, no I think not because Unlocker is free program but has spyware, some anti-virus saw this. Maybe it's false notification.

But I know Unlocker from IObit is better and it's also free.

Ivan, no since unlocker is free

"Is this a better program than "Unlocker"?"

You can try LockHunter, ForceDelete, & ThisIsMyFile, all available in portable versions.

Gamy, Perhaps, but IObit is the poster child for nagware.

Gamy, I use IObit Unlocker nearly every day for Trash that is locked and will not be automatically discarded. It is perfect.