How to fix "File is in Use by Another Program" problems
Iain Laskey has a fix for the annoying 'File is in Use' problem
We've almost all seen it at one time or another. You try to delete a file, or move it and receive a message saying you can't because the file is in use by another process. Chances are, it isn't or at least not in any meaningful way. Typical examples of the messages you get are:
- 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.
One common cause is when working with video files where there is a CODEC problem. Windows Explorer tries to get the file information such as the length, dimensions of the picture etc. and calls the CODEC. If it fails for whatever reason, the file can be left with a lock on it stopping you manipulating it. In these cases, the usual fix is to boot to the command line or Safe Mode and try again which often works. However, this is a pain so we were very happy to come across a great little utility that solves the problem.
Wander over to ccollomb.free.fr/unlocker/ Here you can find a nifty tool called Unlocker by Cedrick Collomb. Unlocker adds an extra option to the right click menu in Windows Explorer that allows you to remove any locks Windows has on a file freeing it up for whatever fate you want to apply to it.
To use it is simplicity itself. If a file needs unlocking, right click, choose the Unlocker menu option and up pops the tool. You can use it to unlock a single process or all that are laying claim to a file. In extreme circumstances you can even tell Unlocker to shut down another process that is causing problems via the Kill Process button. Once done, click on Quit and then retry whatever operation you were attempting that caused the access problem. Unlocker works with most versions of Windows including Vista although it doesn't currently work with 64bit versions so check for updates. Easy, neat and best of all free although if you do find it useful, there is an option to make a PayPal contribution to the author which is highly recommended.
