About this tag
File locking on Windows can cause access-denied errors, data loss, and workflow interruptions. Common scenarios include files locked by crashed applications like Excel or Word, OneDrive sync conflicts over network shares, and Windows Update processes holding disk locks. Users often encounter the "File is open in another program" error when trying to delete, move, or rename files. Solutions range from using built-in tools like MMC to read locks, creating batch files to kill stuck processes, or upgrading libraries like Python's filelock to patch TOCTOU race conditions. Understanding file locking mechanisms is essential for troubleshooting and preventing data corruption in enterprise and home environments.
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CVE-2025-68146 TOCTOU in filelock: upgrade to 3.20.1 now
filelock, the widely used platform‑independent file‑locking library for Python, is the subject of a newly public vulnerability — CVE‑2025‑68146 — that exposes a classic Time‑of‑Check‑Time‑of‑Use (TOCTOU) race condition in lock file creation. The flaw allows a local attacker who can create...- WindowsForum AI
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- file locking python security toctou vulnerability
- Replies: 0
- Forum: Security Alerts
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Files synced via OneDrive not accessible over Windows network share (Access Denied)
Hello everyone, We have the following setup: We operate across three different locations, each with local workstations. At each site, files are synchronized via OneDrive to a central computer (drive Z : ). This computer shares the synchronized files with other local devices at the same site...- gianluca
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- file access file locking file sharing file synchronization file-inheritance multi-location-setup network access network issues network sharing onedrive sync storage sync windows networking
- Replies: 1
- Forum: Windows Help and Support
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How to Fix ‘File Is Open in Another Program’ Error in Windows
For many Windows users, the “File is open in another program” error is not just a minor annoyance—it’s a persistent obstacle that can interrupt even the most basic computing tasks. Whether you’re trying to delete a document, move a critical work file, or simply organize your storage, this...- WindowsForum AI
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- advanced file troubleshooting file explorer fixes file in use file locking file locksmith file management hard drive failure network file lock safe mode troubleshooting shared folders task manager temporary files third-party unlocker tools thumbnail cache unlock files windows virus scan windows error windows resource management windows troubleshooting
- Replies: 0
- Forum: Windows News
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Locked file, forgot password
Using Acer 1760 Win 11 23H2 I have forgotten my password on the save as with password option. How do I go about unlocking it to edit etc? I can send to a Microsoft trusted person by email if required. Please help as I need to finish the file for Christmas and still lots of editing needing to...- Whatsisname
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- file locking
- Replies: 1
- Forum: Windows Help and Support
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Error at reading 'Open document' information in MMC
Hi, we have the following setup: - Windows10 Pro Workstations - Windows Server 2016 Standard as Domaincontroller with an AD - Red Hat 4.8.5-39 Server with samba shares the following scenario happens: - a user creates an excel sheet and stores it on one of the samba shares - excel crashes and...- roediGERhard
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- active directory excel crash file locking mmc samba sessions troubleshooting windows 10 windows server
- Replies: 5
- Forum: Windows Server Forums
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Windows 10 Batch file to kill MS Word
Working with a few documents in Win 10 using MS Word Closed the files, quit MS Word and then started doing cleanup I was informed MS Word was still open or the file was still in use by Word In Win 7 I had a batch file that rested on desktop which with one click would kill the task Can this be...- Skynotempty
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- automation batch file cleanup file locking microsoft word productivity scripting task management troubleshooting windows 10
- Replies: 3
- Forum: Windows Help and Support
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Windows 7 Can windows update cause lock on disk/files?
Just got in a computer that's used in the field, it runs a program that will realtime record data into a database file, the guys that used it reported back trouble with the computer - among other things they did have to reset the computer by turning it off. They also said that the database...- Mawrick
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- automatic updates data loss database drive lock field computer file locking reboot issues system crash troubleshooting windows update
- Replies: 1
- Forum: Windows Help and Support
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Windows 7 unable to delete
For some reason I can't delete or move or rename a .mkv file. It says "The action cannot be completed because the file is open in another program Close the file and try again" I've tried rebooting in safe mode and still get the same message. I was wanting to move this file to another drive...- artoo
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- delete issues disk space file locking file management mkv safe mode software conflict unblock user solutions windows troubleshooting
- Replies: 1
- Forum: Windows Help and Support
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Windows 7 Take Ownership, Permisions,Remove Folder/ File Locks, On All in non system Drive
I have a 2 TB storage drive that I need to remove all locks on all the folders and files. I have been dealing with this nightmare that I have lost and have had to redo weeks worth of work. I have read and tried so many tutorials, take ownership etc. Nothing penetrates the second layer or folders...- Seven5555
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- data recovery drive issues error resolution file access file locking file management nested folders ownership security storage drive user control windows 7
- Replies: 20
- Forum: Windows Help and Support
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Windows 7 Can't delete files or change ownership
I just installed Windows 7 Enterprise 64-bit on two machines, and then Firefox 16.0.1 on each. Trying to replace the password files in my new profile, I found that many of these folders and files (in User\me\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla) cannot be deleted, nor can their ownership be changed. They...- kreutz
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- admin rights appdata backup delete emco unlockit error file locking files firefox ownership profile management registry system access troubleshooting unlocker windows 7
- Replies: 2
- Forum: Windows Help and Support
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Windows 8 administrator privileges re: deleting a file from a hard drive
Dear forum Please may I have some advice. I have windows 8 cp installed . I have a hard drive connected to a hard drive caddy, and am using it as an external hard drive: and it contains various audio/text/video files, and these were added to the hard drive when I was using windows xp Now...- kasfig
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- administrator caddy external drive file deletion file locking file management privilege uac user account windows 8
- Replies: 9
- Forum: Windows Help and Support
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Windows 7 The process cannot access the file because it is being used by...
Hi Forums, I am getting this error all the time with Windows 7. I open a text file I want to edit, then go to save my changes and I get this error: "The process cannot access the file because it is being used by another process" I have full admin rights, running Win7 Ultimate x64 SP1. From...- 1000faces
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- admin rights bug report editing code explorer file access file locking file management game map script handle release process issue productivity sp1 tech support text file upgrade windows 7 windows forum windows upgrade
- Replies: 3
- Forum: Windows Software
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Windows 7 Multiple MSI3a____.tmp empty folders continuously created on drive..?
I have my games stored on a different SSD Drive & for whatever reason multiple empty MSIc.tmp folders are continuously being created there (lost count how many times & folders I've deleted) all the folders are also continuously locked (even after unlocking) even the ones that aren't MSIc.tmp...- miseryguts
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- disk management file locking folder issues game storage msi ssd system performance temporary files user help windows troubleshooting
- Replies: 1
- Forum: Windows Help and Support
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Windows 7 What the heck is this, and how can I get rid of it? I've tried everything I know!
Today I noticed a file on my hard drive named this: e1c344ce53705556d359 Here's a screenshot: Link Removed It is locked and will not allow me to delete it. It says I need "SYSTEM" permissions. Yes I am the administrator, and the only user of this computer. I haven't downloaded or installed...- chrismjx
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- administrator computer help file deletion file locking file management hard drive troubleshooting windows
- Replies: 19
- Forum: Windows Help and Support
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Windows 7 External HDD locked access!
Hi all, i am new to this forum and am in great need of knowelabdel assistance . Basically i tried to secure several files in my Western Digital HDD by right clicking and selecting the option "share with ....nobody". this allowed me to still enter the file afterwards. Next time i log on my drive...- samsung17
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- access denied data recovery external drive file locking file security file sharing tech support troubleshooting western digital windows xp
- Replies: 5
- Forum: Windows Help and Support
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Windows 7 Locked User File
Hi all, I just got a brand new computer. It was a gift from my parents. Since my parents know pretty much next to nothing about computers, they got my brother to order it for me. It seems that when the computer arrived he took it out of the box and named the computer and the user file after...- Claudia1991
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- file locking new computer rename tech support user files user management windows 11 windows forum
- Replies: 1
- Forum: Windows Help and Support
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Windows 7 Locked folders and files...
So I decided to connect the xbox to my home network, but when I did so ALL of the shared files and folders got locked. Being locked I cannot watch the videos or play the music with manually unlocking them first. So is there a way to revert them back to their unlocked state? There has to be an...- SynisterSilence
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- file access file locking file management home network network issues shared folders storage unlocking files video playback xbox
- Replies: 3
- Forum: Windows Help and Support
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Windows 7 Windows 7 and Dell
Hi all, I run a Dell M6500 laptop with Win7. When connecting to the internet it starts downloading "stuff', sometimes after 5 or 10 minutes, which I have no control over or find out where it is coming from. I have disabled auto update and my anti virus etc. If I go to explorer for internet...- bolster55
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- antivirus automatic updates dell download explorer file locking hard drive installation internet internet history laptop m6500 settings software support troubleshooting windows 7 windows xp
- Replies: 6
- Forum: Windows Help and Support
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Windows 7 Win7 SP1 Update A Disaster!
I just installed Win7 and was pleasantly surprised to find that it installed all the drivers for everything and it all worked fine with no problems, at first. I put in a new 1Tb drive for Win7 and saved the old drive in a USB housing to serve as a backup. I copied some program files off the...- stevec5000
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- access denied backup data recovery disk issues disk management drivers file issues file locking installation pdf issues security sp1 system restore tech support troubleshooting update urgent updates user experience windows 7
- Replies: 15
- Forum: Windows Software
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Windows 7 no... it IS NOT OPEN IN ANOTHER PROGRAM!
every SINGLE TIME i try to move a folder around, i get "this action can not be done because the file is open in another program". BUT IT ISN'T!!! i've shut down EVERY PROGRAM AND SERVICE except explorer and STILL get the same thing! this is my biggest beef with Win7 and would do anything to...- paradive
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- explorer file locking file management folder issues services software conflict troubleshooting user experience windows 7
- Replies: 3
- Forum: Windows Help and Support
