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This software suite provides powerful functionality for system admin to troubleshoot or tune the windows system.

https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb842062.aspx

Process Explorer

Open the systeminternal folder, open the procexp.exe.

This app is the extended version of Task manager, you can replace it with task manager if you want by clicking Options > Replace Task manager. Now if you right click task bar > task manager, the Process Expolorer will pop up.

The most popular use of the Process Explorer.

How to find out what program is using a file

In Windows 7 or 8, the system message may tell you what program is using the file. If it doesn’t or if you are using Windows XP, there is a simple way to find the program:

  1. Open Process Explorer, running as administrator.
  2. On the toolbar, find the gunsight icon on the right (shown highlighted in the figure shown below).
  3. Drag the icon and drop it on the open file or folder that is locked.
  4. The executable that is using the file will be highlighted in the Process Explorer main display list.

How to find out which handle or DLL is using a file
  1. Open Process Explorer, running as administrator.
  2. Enter the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+F. Altenatively, click the “Find” menu and select “Find a Handle or DLL”.
  3. A search dialog box will open.
  4. Type in the name of the locked file or other file of interest. Partial names are usually sufficient.
  5. Click the button “Search”,
  6. A list will be generated. There may be a number of entries.
  7. An individual handle in the list can be killed by selecting it and pressing the delete key. However, care is necessary when deleting handles, as instabilities may occur. Often, just rebooting will free a locked file.