PC ERRORS
More Articles...
|
File in Use Error
Have you been trying to use or delete a file, only to get a “file in use” message? It's a common problem for many PC users. Unfortunately, most don't know how to fix this pesky error, and so they are stuck with something that, for them, won't work. In this article, you'll learn why the error message occurs and, more importantly, how to fix it.
What the File In Use Message Means
Programs that automatically boot up will require the use of certain files. When these files are used by the program, as long as the program is running, the files will be in use and thus you will not be able to alter them or even open them. So, basically, the file in use message means that the file is already being used by another program.
Sometimes, you will know immediately what is using the file. If you have a document open and are attempting to zip it, WinZip may say an error has occurred. That's because the file is open and thus unable to be zipped. If you close down the program that has the document opened, the problem is solved.
Other times, it will be less obvious. You may not know why you are unable to delete a file or even edit it. A program, that you're unaware of, is using the file. In this case, you only need to observe to see how to fix the problem.
How to Fix It
How you fix the problem will depend on the cause of it. If you are trying to send or zip a file you currently have open, the easiest way to fix the issue is to simply close the file and then try again.
If you are trying to delete a file that is in use by another program, you should find out what program is using it. For instance, if you are trying to delete jrking.exe and the file is apart of JR KING, you should close the program down and then attempt to delete the .exe.
For the stubborn files, you may need to boot into safe mode before you can delete them. That's because, in safe mode, only critical system programs are running, so you won't have to deal with a program that is using your files.
In some cases, you may have to grant yourself permission to edit a file. Just right-click the file, hit properties and then advanced. Make sure you, the admin, are able to edit and delete the file.
|
