# LockHunter Application: Crystal Rich Also called lock hunter, crystal rich lockhunter Crystal Rich, System Tells you which process locks a file. The 64-bit process is LockHunter64.exe. It is not Process Explorer. ## What you need to know LockHunter names the locker. Process Explorer is the full Sysinternals tree. Crystal Rich LockHunter shows which process locks a file. Get it from lockhunter.com. Process Explorer can find handles too. It is a different, broader tool. - **What is it?**: A locked-file inspector **Same as Process Explorer?**: No. Explorer is a full process tree **Undelete?**: No. That is Recuva's job Feex says If a file will not delete, I would try LockHunter from lockhunter.com. If I already have Process Explorer open, I would search handles there instead. I would not unlock a running installer blindly. ## What is LockHunter? LockHunter shows which process holds a path and can unlock or delete on reboot. LockHunter64.exe is the window. procexp64.exe can find handles too, but it is the Sysinternals tree, not this focused helper. ## If you have never used it If Windows says a file is in use and will not delete, LockHunter is Crystal Rich's helper. Download it from lockhunter.com. Right-click the file and see the process. It is not Process Explorer, which is a full process tree, and it is not a general undelete tool. ## What is it used for? **See who locked a file** The list of processes is the point. Process Explorer's Find Handle does a similar hunt inside a bigger UI. **Unlock, delete, or rename** Those actions are LockHunter buttons. Closing the app in Process Explorer is the other path. **Delete on reboot if the lock holds** A pending-delete is a LockHunter option. Recuva is undelete, the opposite job. ## Who is it for? - People who cannot delete a DLL or a folder - Anyone who does not want to learn Process Explorer's handle search - Users who should close the app first before they unlock ## Current status LockHunter (2008) is a current locked-file helper from Crystal Rich. The vendor still points Windows users at https://lockhunter.com/. ## How old is it? LockHunter launched in 2008. Process Explorer is older and broader. Unlocker-style tools were common in the 2000s. Current LockHunter still targets everyday Windows 10 and Windows 11. ## Versions Major channels first. Exact build numbers are not all verified here. Installer Portable ## System requirements Values follow the publisher's public guidance. Workload still changes the real need. ### Minimum | Operating system | Windows 10 or Windows 11, per lockhunter.com | | ---------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------- | | RAM | Enough for Windows plus this app. Heavy projects want more. | ## Resource profile - **CPU demand**: Low **RAM demand**: Small helper window ## Installed processes These executables belong to this product when it is installed. | LockHunter64.exe | Lock inspector window | | ---------------- | --------------------- | ## Startup components LockHunter should not start with Windows. The Explorer context menu loads when you right-click. ## File locations | Typical install | C:\Program Files\LockHunter\\ | | --------------- | ----------------------------- | ## File formats It acts on files you point at ## Common problems ### Unlocking a file a security product has open That can be a scanner. Closing the locker is safer than a blind unlock. Process Explorer will show the same process. ### People use this as undelete LockHunter is about locks. Recuva is the undelete tool in this batch. ## Getting unstuck ### Install from lockhunter.com A "Unlocker 2026" ad pack is not Crystal Rich. Process Explorer is the Sysinternals alternative. ### Close the listed app first, then delete Unlock is the fallback. Ending explorer.exe to delete a file is the wrong first click. ### If the locker is System, reboot-delete or check a kernel driver LockHunter can schedule a delete. Process Explorer will not make that reboot action for you the same way. ## Alternatives Process Explorer handle search. Resource Monitor CPU > Associated Handles. Handle.exe from Sysinternals. ## Official help and downloads Start with the vendor. Random exe sites are not a support channel. | Download | [lockhunter.com/ ](https://lockhunter.com/)Official installer or vendor page | | ------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Help | [lockhunter.com/howto.htm ](https://lockhunter.com/howto.htm)Vendor support | | Official site | [lockhunter.com/ ](https://lockhunter.com/)Start here, not a random exe host | ## Related hardware The lock is software. A dying disk can also make deletes fail, which is a different error. ## Technical details Technical details Vendor version numbers change. This article does not pin a build. ## Related These entities connect to this article. Type is shown on every link. [Process Explorer: Application](https://feex.it/wiki/software/process-explorer)[How to read Task Manager: Guide](https://feex.it/wiki/software/system/how-to-read-task-manager) ## Sources and verification Reviewed by Feex editorial. Last verified August 2026 Status: Feex Reviewed. [How we research](https://feex.it/wiki/research). - [LockHunter official site ](https://lockhunter.com/)· Vendor product page - [LockHunter help ](https://lockhunter.com/howto.htm)· Vendor support - [LockHunter how-to ](https://lockhunter.com/howto.htm)· How to unlock or delete - [Foxhole process map ](https://foxhole.feex.it/)· First-party samples on Windows PCs. Not a lab benchmark. ## Was this article useful? A yes or no is enough. Pick a reason if you want, or add a short note. Quick facts The short identity of this page. Specs, sources, and the full story stay in the article. - **Developer**: Crystal Rich **Category**: Locked-file helper **Process**: LockHunter64.exe **License**: Freeware **First released**: 2008 **Official site**: [lockhunter.com](https://lockhunter.com/) **Mapped by Feex**: Seen on Windows PCs in Foxhole Feex Reviewed: Last verified August 2026 --- Source: [Canonical Feex Wiki page](https://feex.it/wiki/software/lockhunter/) [Developer guide](https://feex.it/wiki/developers/) | [API policy](https://feex.it/developers/api-policy/) | [Agent guidance](https://feex.it/wiki/llms.txt)