How To Find What Program Is Using A File

Unable to delete or move or perform any activeness on a file because it is locked by a process? Find out which process is locking a file in Windows 11/ten using various methods discussed in this article.

Many times, when nosotros endeavour an action (delete, rename, copy, etc.) on a file, we become a File in Use dialog box showing a prompt that "The action can't exist completed because the file is open up in some other program". In some cases, it volition show the process or program proper noun that is using the file. Just, a lot of times, it doesn't.

Now, how to tell which process has a file open? If it is urgent, you lot need to identify the procedure locking a file and then finish the process to modify the target file. In this guide, nosotros will be discussing different methods to check the process that is belongings a file in Windows 11/ten.

How to tell which process is locking or using a file in Windows 11/x

Here are the dissimilar methods to identify the process that is locking a file in Windows eleven/x:

1. Check the process that is locking a file using Resource Monitor.
2. Utilise SysInternals Procedure Explorer to identify the process that is locking a file.
3. Find out through Control Prompt using the Handle tool.
4. Use OpenedFilesView freeware to place the procedure holding a file.

Let's elaborate on these methods at present.

1] Check the process that is locking a file using Resource Monitor

Using Resource Monitor, you can identify the procedure or service locking a file. It is an inbuilt utility in Windows 10 that helps yous monitor CPU usage, retentiveness, deejay network, file handles, etc.

Open Run app by pressing Windows + R hotkey and so type resmon in information technology. Press the OK button and Resources Monitor volition open upwardly.

In the Resource Monitor window, become to the CPU tab and expand the Associated Handles selection. Now, in the search box, blazon the proper noun of the file that is showing locked by a process and press Enter button. It volition show yous a listing of processes holding the target file.

You can right-click on the process and select the End Process option to end information technology. Afterwards the process ends, try performing the action you wanted to on the previously locked file.

ii] Use SysInternals Process Explorer to place the procedure that is locking a file

Some other option to identify the process or service holding a file is SysInternals Process Explorer. It is an advanced utility to find out detailed information regarding running processes on your system. To place the process holding a file through it, y'all can follow beneath steps:

Firstly, download and run SysInternals Process Explorer on your PC. At present, in the Process Explorer window, go to the File menu and click on the Find Handle or DLL pick. Side by side, enter the file proper noun in the Procedure Explorer Search dialog window and printing the Search option. All the processes that are using the file you entered will show up in the results.

Right-click on the identified process in the Procedure tab so close it.

Now, check with the file if it is nonetheless held or locked by a procedure or not.

Related: The process cannot access the file considering it is being used by some other procedure.

iii] Find out through Command Prompt using Handle tool

Handle is a command-based utility to tell which process has a file open up. Information technology is basically a control-line version of the above discussed SysInternals Process Explorer. You can follow the below steps to check the process holding a file in command prompt using this tool:

Download Handle from microsoft.com and extract the Nothing folder. Now, open up CMD in the extracted folder. In the Command Prompt, enter a control with the post-obit syntax:

handle.exe -a -u <filename-with-path>

For example:

handle.exe -a -u "C:\Users\KOMAL\Documents\Sample Files\twc.pdf"

As you enter the command, it volition display a list of processes property the file with process ID and username.

I tried to bank check the same by entering just the filename without the full path, it worked. But, it may non piece of work for all files. So, it is recommended to enter the location of the locked file.

After identifying the process, you can close it from Task Managing director.

4] Employ OpenedFilesView freeware to identify the process holding a file

OpenedFilesView is a portable awarding to view all your opened files and the processes property them. You can download its Nix folder, excerpt information technology, and then run its OpenedFilesView.exe file to launch its interface. Information technology volition then display all currently opened files with respective details including process proper name, process ID, process path, file permissions, target file path, etc.

Locate your target file and bank check which process is holding it. Also, you can use its Find option to quickly search for a locked file and the associated procedure. After finding the procedure, right-click on the file and shut all the processes belongings it.

Promise this guide helps you identify the process of holding a file and then closing it.

Now read: Delete Locked Files, and gear up File Is Locked error.

Source: https://www.thewindowsclub.com/how-to-tell-which-process-is-locking-a-file

Posted by: truemansweeng.blogspot.com

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