Super User Stack Exchange
Super User Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [locked-files]

Locked files are files (and folders) that are currently open and in use. As such, they cannot be moved, deleted, or renamed.

When a file or folder is opened, the open-operation can be done with a flag that tells the system to lock the file. This locking avoids unexpected changes to the file while the program has it open and is using it to prevent corruption or other undesirable behavior (like the program crashing).

When a file or folder is locked, it cannot be moved, renamed, or deleted. This is usually resolved by closing the program that has it open, but sometimes the lock remains even after the program is closed and utilities have to be used to forcibly close the lock. Forcibly closing the lock while the program is still running may cause the program to crash if it then tries to access it.

16 questions
4
votes
3 answers

The action can't be completed because the file is open in Windows Defender Service

I was trying to move a file from my Downloads folder to another folder, but I received the following message: The action can't be completed because the file is open in Windows Defender Service I have never used or opened Windows Defender Service,…
Ryan Kohn
  • 356
  • 4
  • 5
  • 14
2
votes
1 answer

How do I detect and skip locked files in a PowerShell script?

So I have myself a PowerShell script that after much headaches I got working. Ii deletes files I no longer want and everything is great. Only one issue, it will delete a file whether it is open by another program or not, which is bad. My code is as…
user1210394
  • 21
  • 1
  • 1
  • 2
2
votes
2 answers

"Empty" folder "locked by another process" on NAS, can't be deleted

I have a couple of folders on an NAS storage device which have been emptied of data and I would like to remove them. When attempting to delete them, I get an error message saying "The action can't be completed because the folder or a file in it is…
Rich M
  • 378
  • 1
  • 3
  • 18
1
vote
2 answers

Switching to the File-In-Use dialog with the keyboard?

In Windows Vista and up, when you try to move, delete, or rename a file that is locked, Explorer will display a File In Use dialog that lets you Retry or Cancel. The problem is that this dialog is not in the Alt-Tab list so you cannot switch to it…
Synetech
  • 68,243
  • 36
  • 223
  • 356
1
vote
1 answer

Need Help about EaseUS LockMyFile

i just locked a folder with EaseUS LockMyFile . every thing was ok at first but today i just realized i can't open that folder even after giving password correctly every time i tried its unlocking but then shows locked again looks like…
Farzan
  • 11
  • 2
1
vote
3 answers

macOS Catalina can’t unlock file

I'm using macOS Catalina (10.15.4). In my /Application folder, I have a file : localhost:Applications root# ls -al drwxr-xr-x 3 root wheel 96 Nov 17 21:42 Karabiner-Elements （之前）.app the characters "之前" is the Chinese word for "previous"…
matrix
  • 111
  • 1
  • 3
1
vote
1 answer

Remove hard link when target is locked by system process

I've created a hard link (not symbolic link) Arial.ttf in my user directory using the Git for Windows GNU tool ln.exe and Bash. The link points to the system font C:\Windows\Fonts\arial.ttf. ln /c/Windows/Fonts/arial.ttf ~/Fonts/Arial.ttf The…
Jonathan Holvey
  • 131
  • 7
1
vote
1 answer

Cannot create directory named uc.micro on W7/10

On Windows 7/10, I get Access Denied when trying to create a directory named uc.micro, or anything else with micro after a dot. What would account for this? Windows explorer attempt to create folder "aaaa.micro"
user105352
0
votes
0 answers

windows11 - ai.exe is locking a folder that needs to be routinely deleted

I have a folder that routinely needs to be deleted by a program and remade. It's simply how the program works. Suddenly a short while back, the program stopped being able to delete the folder. I tried deleting it manually and was also unable, as the…
Amos Bordowitz
  • 101
  • 2
0
votes
0 answers

Downloaded files are read only

I'm using the latest Firefox version (112) on Gentoo, and each time I download a file (even if it's compressed and I extract it) it's read only. I can fix this by simply changing the permissions but it's tedious especially when I download a…
error404
  • 11
  • 5
0
votes
0 answers

How to delete mac apps like "news" "maps" on Macbook Air M2? These files show up with the "locked" option faded out (no access)

(1) Looking to delete apps on new macbook air M2 that I don't use. Maps/News/Etc. Please provide clear instructions if you know. (2) Also some files appear locked (the locked isn't checked, but faded out and inaccessible). How do make the…
Ally
  • 1
0
votes
0 answers

dll is locked and can't be protected

I am trying to provide protection and encryption for some build artifacts that our code produces (The code is written in c++ and c# and we use visual studio) . The tool that I am using is a product called AxProtectorNet which belongs to Wibu-systems…
Ramin B
  • 1
0
votes
1 answer

How to create an excel file that won't be locked for editing when others open it?

I have a file that I'd like others (potentially a dozen+) to have access to at all times, but that I can also edit even if others have it open. If I make it so it requests the user open it as Read Only, and assuming they do so, would that still…
TexMurphy4
  • 1
  • 1
0
votes
0 answers

CIFS share: files getting locked with VIM but not with Nano

I have an heterogeneous share, between Linux and Windows systems, hosted on a NetApp. On Linux, I mount the share with those options: mount.cifs -o…
NdFeB
  • 1
  • 3
0
votes
0 answers

Chrome's "Default" user directory locked

Chrome would not start. I spotted the problem down to the following situation: The following folder C:\Users\User\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data is locked - always. Also when chrome is not running. Also immediately after a…
shealtiel
  • 281
  • 2
  • 4
  • 11
1
2