Find out which process is locking a file or folder in Windows

PowerShell method:

IF((Test-Path -Path $FileOrFolderPath) -eq $false) {

    Write-Warning "File or directory does not exist."       

}

Else {

    $LockingProcess = CMD /C "openfiles /query /fo table | find /I ""$FileOrFolderPath"""

    Write-Host $LockingProcess

}

The openfiles command needs to have support for local files enabled, by running openfiles /local on and restarting.

4 years ago

If you do not know the program the file it is using then you can go to My Computer; right click; select Manage. Under System Tools > Shared folders > Open Files, you should be able to see the user who has locked the file. You can close file from here and then you can perform the task of rename or delete the file.

4 years ago

A couple of options:

Microsoft/SysInternals Process Explorer - Go to Find > Find Handle or DLL. In the "Handle or DLL substring:" text box, type the path to the file (e.g. "C:\path\to\file.txt") and click "Search". All processes which have an open handle to that file should be listed.

WhoLockMe - Explorer extension which adds a right-click menu option

N.B. WhoLockMe appears to not work with Win 10 (at least I have been unable to register it with either of the 32- or 64-bit versions of regsvr32.exe).

4 years ago