• Access denied.
• The file is in use by another program or user.
• The source or destination file may be in use.
• Cannot delete file: It is being used by another person or program.

That means, the resource you are accessing is locked up by another process (program).

Freeware Unlocker [via gHacks] can help you solve the problem by releasing the file or folder from certain process’s control. The program integrates itself into Windows context menu, and available on Windows 2000 / XP / 2003 / Vista.

In another post from gHacks, a similar freeware File And Folder Unlocker is introduced. With the (nearly) same functionalities, File And Folder Unlocker lets users explorer in depth to find out where the problem occurs. But for a novice, I prefer Unlocker. It does the job, and looks easier to use.

The program is written in German language, but it’s very easy to recoganize since it has only two button to finish the job. The Passwortliste button is used to load a dictionary file, and the Rar-Archiv button is to select rar file you want to crack.

It a handy tool, but the chance of success should depend on the quality of the dictionary file

Download Rar Pass Finder [via gHacks]

It can perform changes such as adding strings to the beginning and end of the filenames, deleting specified number of characters from beginning or end of the filenames, adding numbers in sequence to the beginning or end of the filenames, changing to upperor lowercase, Adding or removing the read only(+r) or hidden(+h) or archive(+a) file attributes, replacing strings with specified string, changing the file extension of filenames and also capitalizing words.

The program provides 17 common rename tasks, such as string replacing and numbering etc. Choose any of the tasks in the left window in Step 1, will get the relavant options on right side. When you done all the setting, click Proceed button, will lead you to the next screen of Step 2, where you can select files that are to be renamed.

The program is designed in a way very special, not like other bulk rename tool(or other any program). It’s easy for users to manipulate with filenames with this free tool.

Download: D-FileMU

OS: Windows

Things I like

• Open Source
• No need to install
• Small in size (~500KB)

Things I don’t like

• UI not good
• Some system built-in program, like Notepad, Explorer, seem can not be
• moved between the virtual desktops

Download: Windows Pager
OS: Windows XP/Vista
Size: 585.11 KB

It makes sense that we have a favorite movie poster for the ‘Movie’ folder, and have a family picture for the ‘Album’ folder. In this way, the Windows Explorer looks more pretty and it’s easy for us to distinguish between different folders.

Run the program to bring up the main window. To set Explorer’s background, you have to specify a target folder, and the image used to set to background, then hit the apply Background button to take effect. Following the similar operation you can set background of the toolbar.

Things I like
It’s good to have different background for different folders.
It’s safe to remove the effect if you don’t like it, just press the Remove Background button.
The program comes with English and Bahasa.

Things I dislike
Should there be a option to set background for all folders?

Download: eXPlorer Styler 2.0
OS: Windows
Size: 1.32MB

Thumbscrew

Thumbscrew adds a icon in the system tray. Right click the icon, choose Make USB Read Only, and reinsert the U Drive, you will not able to copy files to the U Drive until you select Make USB Writable.

USB Write Protector

USB Write Protector is doing the same thing, but it has a standalone window lets you choose the USB Drive status.

I have to say, none of these tool meets my expectation. We carry and use the U Drive anywhere, but not all of the desktops have these tools installed. Maybe the following program is more practical.

Rohos Mini Drive

Rohos Mini Drive [via Download Squad] is a freeware used to create hidden, password protected partition on USB flash Drive. People can not see the partition unless have the Rohos software installed, and even if they see the partition, they still need to enter password to access the files on that secret partition.

Do you have any other suggestion, let me know by dropping a comment:)

How it works

Empathy modifies the target exe file so that it will ask for a password to run.

When to use

In a public places such as Internet coffee. Or at home, to keep certain program away from your children.

How to use

In the main window, select the exe file you want to protect, set the password twice, and click the Protect button.

Empathy is running on Windows, and is a “postcardware”,  that means, if you want to use all features, you have to send a post card to the author Michal Strehovsky

Empathy [via gHacks]

Cleaner
The Cleaner part shows the main job for the program – clean up your system. From recycle bin to log files, browser caches to cookies, even things in your application plugins. There I have a small question, what kind of information has been swept up in those plugins like Windows Media Player, history? cache?

Uninstaller
This function shows you the installed software in your system. The Uninstall button let you remove the program from your system, just like what Add or Remove Program do. For some software (Firefox for instance), you can use Update button to find the latest version, but this function is not alway available for all software you installed.

Startup Manager
This is a MsConfig alternative, no much special. Have a look at the previous introduced WinStart Manager if you have to deal with startup programs.

Aftere running the program for the first time, I have 753.17 MB cleaned in Windows, 162.33 MB cleaned in Browsers, and 46.50 MB cleaned in other Aplication Plugins, according to the FCleaner Statistics. Let’s see how it performs on your system

Things I like:
The program is easy to use, people do not have to know the details, just click "Run Cleaner" button and waiting for the job done.
The UI is clean and tidy, their is no complicated settings need to adjust.
The navigation is good and straitforward.

Things I dislike:
Lack of documentation in program. Like what I said, what indeed has been cleaned in the Application Plugins area? I took a look on the official website, but there is no clue. Should be there more help or tips on the FAQ?

Download FCleaner version 1.0.2.1126

OS: Windows 9x/Me/2k/XP/2003/Vista/7

Size: 948 KB

After using your computer for a long time, the startup time may increase a lot. Use the system built-in tool MsConfig, you can choose which program to start with the system. WinStart Manager is doing the same thing, and more.

In WinStart Manager’s main window, you can see all startup items in StartUp, Registry and WinINI, which give you more inside information. Choose any item, right click, you can select to see the property of the item, or the property of the file linked. Also, you are able to rename or delete the item if you are sure that it is no longer in use. In the property window, there is a link to Google search, if you have no idea what the item is, it let you search for more info.

The program is easy to use, but be sure you backed up the registry if you are going to edit any item related to Registry.

Things I like:
log – Click File-View log, will show you the action you have done;
launch msconfig/regedit – Run MsConfig and Regiedt from the File menu;
locate program – In properties window, you can locate the startup item folder by clicking the filename;

Things I dislike:
toolbar option – When install the program, their is an option let you choose to install a toolbar. I don’t really need this!
bug? – Select a item(by click the checkbox once), then you got no way to uncheck it unless you double click on the checkbox.

Download WinStart Manager 1.1, running on Windows 2k/XP/2003/Vista, 2.41MB

The standalone EXE file lets you capture the whole desktop, active window, selected object or area your selected. The UI of the program is simple and clean, and there is no more complex functionality or feature along with the program. However it is quite enough for my daily work.

Download PC Screen Capture 2.01