How to Unlock a File on Windows 11
In Windows 11, users can’t always change files because they are locked. When users try to change locked files, Windows shows them different error messages. All of these file-locking errors make it impossible for users to rename, copy, delete, or move files when they need to.
When you get a “locked file” error, it means that the file you’re trying to change is being used by another program (process). In a network environment, this can also happen with shared files that can be changed by other users.
As shown in this guide, users can usually unlock files by ending the program processes that are using them. When these processes end, the file locks will be removed.
End background processes in Task Manager
Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
On the Processes tab and select the End task option for unnecessary programs listed in the apps section.
Try editing the locked file again.
Restart Windows by Clean Booting
Press Win + R to open the Run dialog.
Type msconfig and press Enter.
Check the Selective startup option on the General tab.
Go to the Services tab and select Hide all Microsoft services
Click on the Disable all button.
Select Apply and OK.
Click on Restart if prompted.
After a clean boot, try to edit the locked file.
