If you get an “Access is Denied” error while accessing a folder then it means the administrator has not allowed you permission to access it. If you are not an Administrator then you will probably never be able to fix this error. But if you are an Administrator and receiving this problem then there is a software called Unlocker that is going to come in handy.

Unlocker is a small, free, and powerful software that lets you see which process is holding the lock on the file/folder and then helps you unlock it. After Installing this software you can simply right click the file/folder that is giving “Access is Denied” or “FIle May Be In Use” errors and then click on Unlocker.

A new window will now pop-up showing the processes as shown below. Now you can either unlock all of the processes or kill the process.

On the left of the ‘Kill Process’ button there is a dropdown menu where you can select Copy, Move, Rename, or Delete functions for a locked file.

This program is useful for the following types of errors,

• Cannot delete file: Access is denied


• There has been a sharing violation.


• The source or destination file may be in use.


• The file is in use by another program or user.


• Make sure the disk is not full or write-protected and that the file is not currently in use.

Using Microsoft Support

There is also an alternative way using Microsoft support help for such errors, following MS steps will basically reset the file/folder settings.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/810881

I frequently use the Unlocker software for quick solution, and I have personally never tried using the Microsoft support method. I hope you will also get rid if these errors using the above procedure, looking forward to hear feedbacks from you.

Archive managers

7-Zip - compression program

IZArc - compression program

TugZIP - compression program

CabPack - compression program

Universal Extractor - extract files from any type of archive

Internet

Firefox - web browser

Internet Explorer- web browser

Maxthon - web browser

Opera - web browser

Avant Browser - web browser

Thunderbird - email client

PopTray - check for emails

Free Download Manager - download manager

FlashGet - download manager

WellGet - download manager

Download Master - download manager

WGET - commandline download manager

HTTrack - offline browser

WebReaper - offline browser

Yeah Reader - RSS reader

GreatNews - RSS reader

RSSOwl - RSS reader

P2P

µTorrent - torrent client

Azureus - torrent client

BitComet - torrent client

ABC - torrent client

BitTornado - torrent client

eMule - p2p client

SoulSeek - p2p client

Shareaza - p2p client

DC++ - Direct Connect network client

PeerGuardian - IP blocker

Chat

Miranda - chat client

MSN Messenger - chat client

Yahoo Messenger - chat client

QIP - chat client

Gaim - chat client

JAJC - chat client

HydraIRC - IRC client

Talkative IRC - IRC client

IceChat - IRC client

Skype - VOIP client

Google Talk - VOIP client

VoipStunt - VOIP client

Gizmo - VOIP client

Wengo - VOIP client

Security

AVG Free - antivirus

Avast Home Free - antivirus

AntiVir PersonalEdition - antivirus

BitDefender Free - antivirus

ClamWin - antivirus

CyberDifender - Internet Security Suite

Ad-aware - anti-spyware

Spybot: Search & Destroy - anti-spyware

Windows Defender - anti-spyware

SpywareBlaster - anti-spyware

Spyware Terminator - anti-spyware

Tootkit Reveaker - rootkit detection utility

Winpooch - system protection

HiJack Free - system protection

HighJackThis - hijackers detector and remover

Kerio Personal Firewall - firewall

Sygate Personal Firewall - firewall

ZoneAlarm - firewall

AxCrypt - file encryption

Simple File Shredder - securely delete files

PuTTy - SSH client

KeePass - password manager

LockNote - password manager

nPassword - password manager

Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer - identify security misconfigurations

Network

Hamachi - VPN client

RealVNC - remote control

UltraVNC - remote control

Ethereal - local area network administration

The Dude - network administration

Wireshark - network administration

Angry IP Scanner - IP scanner

IP-Tools - IP scanner

Free Port Scanner - IP scanner

NetMeter - network bandwidth monitoring

Servers

FileZilla - FTP client

FileZilla Server - FTP server

EFTP - FTP client/server

XAMPP - integrated server package of Apache, mySQL, PHP and Perl

WAMP - Apache, PHP5 and MySQL server

Audio

Foobar2000 - audio player

WinAmp - audio player

1by1 - audio player

JetAudio - audio player

XMPlay - audio player

Xion - audio player

Apollo - audio player

MediaMonkey - music organizer

The GodFather - music organizer

dBpowerAMP - audio converter

Audacity - audio converter

WavePad - audio converter

Kristal Audio Engine - audio editor

Exact Audio Copy - CD ripper

Audiograbber - CD ripper

CDex - CD ripper

Mp3 Tag Tools - tag editor

Mp3tag - tag editor

Taggin’ MP3 - tag editor

Monkey’s Audio - APE compressor/decompressor

mpTrim - mp3 editor

WavTrim - wave editor

EncSpot Basic - analyse mp3 files

Video

Windows Media Player - audio/video player

VLC - video player

Media Player Classic - video player

MV2Player - video player

CrystalPlayer 1.95 - video player

Zoom Player - video player

GOM Player - video player

viPlay - video player

DSPlayer - video player

VirtualDub - video editor

CamStudio - video screen recording

AviSplit - Avi splitter

Video mp3 Extractor - rip audio from video files

Free iPod Converter - convert all popular video formats to iPod video

MediaPortal - turning your PCinto a Media Center

The FilmMachine

Image

Gimp - image editor

PhotoFiltre - image editor

Paint.net - image editor

ArtRage - image editor

Artweaver - image editor

IrfanView - image viewer

Picasa - image viewer

XnView - image viewer

FastStone Image Viewer - image viewer

FuturixImager - image viewer

Easy Thumbnails - create thumbnails from images

JoJoThumb - create thumbnails from images

iWebAlbum - create web photo albums

JAlbum - create web photo albums

3D Box Shot Maker - design quality box shot

FastStone Capture - screen capture

WinSnap - screen capture

3D

Blender3D - 3D renderer

3Delight Free - 3D renderer

SketchUp - 3D modeling

Maya Learning Edition - 3D modeling

Developers

AutoIt - task automation

SciTE4AutoIt3 - text editor for AutoIt

AutoHotkey - task automation

PHP Designer - PHP editor

Notepad++ - text editor

ConTEXT Editor - text editor

PSPad - text editor

FoxEditor - text editor

Crimson Editor - source code editor

Elfima Notepad - text editor

Notepad2 - text editor

Nvu - HTML editor

Alleycode - HTML editor

BlockNote - web page editor

Weaverslave - web page editor

CD/DVD

DeepBurner - CD/DVD burner

CDBurner XP Pro - CD/DVD burner

BurnAtOnce - CD/DVD burner

Express Burn - CD/DVD burner

Zilla CD-DVD Rip’n’Burn - CD/DVD burner

ImgBurn - ISO, BIN burner

Daemon tools - virtual CD/DVD

DVD Decrypter - DVD ripper

DVD Shrink - DVD ripper

Nero CD-DVD Speed - CD/DVD info and quality test

Codecs

GSpot - codec information

AC3Filter - audio codec

Xvid - video codec

QuickTime Alternative - video codec

Real Alternative - video codec

K-Lite Codec Pack - all codecs

System Ulilities

CCleaner - system cleaner

xp-AntiSpy - OS setup

jv16 Powertools - system utilities

XP SysPad - system monitoring utility

What’s Running - process guard

Registrar Lite - registry editor

WinIPConfig - replacement for “ipconfig.exe” and “route.exe”

Unlocker - file eraser

Eraser - secure file eraser

Undelete Plus - file recovery

freeCommander - file manager

ExplorerXP - file manager

Duplicate File Finder - find all duplicate files

Ant Renamer - file renaming

ReNamer - file renaming

Icons From File - icos extractor

Chaos MD5 - MD5 generator

HashTab - MD5, SHA1 and CRC-32 file hashes

Rainlendar Lite - desktop calendar

Weather Watcher - weather firecast

Subtitle Workshop - subtitles editor

Ant Movie Catalog - movie organizer

Disclib - CD organizer

Dexpot - virtual desktops

DriveImage XML - create partition images

MozBackup - backup and restore bookmarks, etc.

SyncBack - system backup

Atomic Cock Sync - syncronize your clock

Citrus Alarm Clock - alarm clock

TaskSwitchXP - Alt-Tab replacement

Launchy - application launcher

allSnap - make all windows snap

Sysinternals Tools - various system tools

StrokeIt - mouse gestures

Net Profiles - create profiles of your network settings

ResourceHacker - view, modify, rename, add, delete

Java Runtime Environment - java for Windows

UI Enhancements

RocketDock - application launcher

AveDesk - desktop enhancer

IconPhile - customize windows’s system icons

CursorXP Free - change mouse cursors

MacSound - volume control

LClock - Windows Longhorn clock

Y’z Dock - application launcher

Y’z Shadow - shadow effect to the windows

Y’z Toolbar - change the toolbar icons in Explorer and Internet Explorer

Taskbar Shuffle - rearrange the programs on the taskbar by dragging

Visual Task Tips - thumbnail preview image for each task in the taskbar

Badges - put badges on any folder or file

Folderico - change icons of the folders

Folder Marker - mark your folders

Folder2MyPC - add favourite locations to My Computer

Microsoft TweakUI - system settings

BricoPacks - shell packs

ShellPacks - shell packs

Tango Shell Patcher - shell patcher

XPize - GUI enhancer

Vista Transformation Pack - complete visual style

Vista Sound Scheme - Windows Vista sound scheme

Royale Theme - visual style

Hardware monitoring/Benchmarking

CPU-Z - cpu information

CrystalCPUID - cpu information

Central Brain Identifier - cpu information

Everest - system information

SiSoft Sandra - system information

SpeedFan - hardware monitor

Memtest86 - memory test

PowerMax - HDD test

3Dmark 06 - 3D game performance benchmark

Aquamark - performance benchmark

rthdribl - 3D benchmark

Fraps - 3D benchmark, fps viewer and screen recorder

Prime 95 - cpu benchmarking

SuperPI - cpu benchmarking

CPU Rightmark - cpu overclock

Core Temp - cpu temperature

ATiTool - video overclock

ATI Tray Tools - Radeon tweaker

aTuner - GeForce and Radeontweaker

RivaTuner - video overclock

Nokia Monitor Test - monitor adjustmets

UDPixel - fix dead pixels

Games

123 Free Solitaire - solitaire games collection

Arcade Pack - classic arcade games

Live For Speed - online racing simulator

Enigma - puzzle game

Freeciv - multiplayer strategy game

Tux Racer - race down steep, snow-covered mountains

Education

SpeQ Mathematics - mathematics program

Dia - diagram creation program

Google Earth - explore the world

NASA World Wind - 3D virtual globe

Celestia - explore the space

Stellarium - planetarium

Miscellaneous

nLite - Build your own custom Windows disk.

VirtualPC - create virtual machines

grabMotion - webcam capture

iDailyDiary - simple page-for-a-day diary

Pivot Stickfigure Animator - create stick-figure animations

Wink - create presentations

Scribus - professional page layout

FreeMind - midn mapping software

Windows Live Writer - WYSIWYG blog authoring