Console utility to show information about system handles and identify processes that lock files. Alternative to the Sysinternals Handle.
Publisher’s description
What is Handle2?
Handle2 is an open-source program for Windows from PolarGoose. It is written in C#.
Installation and requirements
Official installers exist for 64-bit and ARM64 as Portable. It runs without installation (portable).
Updates and version history
The current version is 3.0, released on February 22, 2025. 2 versions are listed since May 13, 2024, each with links to its own installer files. The last update is more than a year old.
Popularity and file types
The source code on GitHub (PolarGoose/Handle2) has 29 stars.
Project description on GitHub: “Alternative to the Sysinternals Handle. Shows information about system handles and identifies processes that lock files.”
Pros / Cons
Pros
- Open source: the code can be inspected and built by anyone
- Native ARM64 build for Windows on Arm
- Portable: runs without installation
Cons
- No update for more than a year
In short: Handle2 is an open-source Windows tool for 64-bit and ARM64 PCs. Updates have slowed down.
Is Handle2 safe to download?
- The file is served by github.com, the publisher’s own domain
- The download link uses HTTPS
- A SHA256 hash is published, so you can verify the file:
9C11E07AE7486CF9C223AB860CC97D36C542BFE94FB1361D980FF7720CF40FDB· Open the VirusTotal report for this hash - The link has not been checked yet
- The source code is public
- ExeAtlas does not host, wrap or modify installers
Related guide: How to check a file’s SHA256 hash on Windows
Recent versions
All 2 versions ›| Version | Date | Size | Files |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0Latest | February 22, 2025 | — | ARM64 ZIP64-bit ZIP |
| 1.0 | May 13, 2024 | — | 64-bit ZIP |
Install from the command line
Silent install ›winget install --id PolarGoose.Handle2 -eRelated guide: How to use winget: install and update apps
Information
- Publisher
- PolarGoose
- Licence
- MIT
- Price
- Free
- Source code
- github.com/PolarGoose/Handle2
- Written in
- C#
- Requires
- Windows 11 / 10
- Architecture
- 64-bit, ARM64
- Installer
- Portable
- Version
- 3.0
- Released
- February 22, 2025
- Added to the catalogue
- May 13, 2024
- Versions listed
- 2
- GitHub stars
- 29
- GitHub forks
- 4
- winget ID
- PolarGoose.Handle2
Ratings and reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to rate it.
Frequently asked questions
Is Handle2 free?
Yes. Handle2 is open-source software under the MIT licence.
Is Handle2 safe to download?
The download comes from github.com, which belongs to the publisher; ExeAtlas does not host or change the file. Compare its SHA256 hash with the one shown here, or open the VirusTotal report for that hash.
How do I install Handle2 with winget?
Open PowerShell or Windows Terminal and run the winget command shown on this page. winget downloads the official installer and checks its SHA256 hash before running it.
Does Handle2 run on ARM (Windows on Arm)?
Yes, there is a native ARM64 installer.
Where can I download an older version of Handle2?
The versions page lists all 2 versions with links to their official installer files, back to May 13, 2024.
Can I use Handle2 without administrator rights?
Yes, it is portable: unpack and run it.
