The LocalFree function frees the specified local memory object and invalidates its handle.
This function is provided only for compatibility with 16-bit versions of Windows.
HLOCAL LocalFree(
HLOCAL hMem // handle to local memory object
);
If the function succeeds, the return value is NULL.
If the function fails, the return value is equal to a handle to the local memory object. To get extended error information, call GetLastError.
If the process tries to examine or modify the memory after it has been freed, heap corruption may occur or an access violation exception (EXCEPTION_ACCESS_VIOLATION) may be generated.
If the hMem parameter is NULL, LocalFree ignores the parameter and returns NULL.
The LocalFree function will free a locked memory object. A locked memory object has a lock count greater than zero. The LocalLock function locks a local memory object and increments the lock count by one. The LocalUnlock function unlocks it and decrements the lock count by one. To get the lock count of a local memory object, use the LocalFlags function.
If an application is running under a debug version of the system, LocalFree will issue a message that tells you that a locked object is being freed. If you are debugging the application, LocalFree will enter a breakpoint just before freeing a locked object. This allows you to verify the intended behavior, then continue execution.
Windows NT: Requires version 3.1 or later.
Windows: Requires Windows 95 or later.
Windows CE: Requires version 1.0 or later.
Header: Declared in winbase.h.
Import Library: Use kernel32.lib.
Memory Management Overview, Memory Management Functions, GlobalFree, LocalAlloc, LocalFlags, LocalLock, LocalReAlloc, LocalUnlock