Locked files on server

At work we occasionally get the issue of a file being locked when a user wants to get into the file and modify it.

The issue usually affects excel files where an excel session crashes thus causing the system to think that the file is still open. Previously we have had to wait for a server restart to unlock the file or save the file as a copy and continue working on it. Both options were not ideal. So we looked for a better way. As with most things the solution is quite simple.

Here is the procedure used to see all open files on a file server and to close them.

• Log onto the server where the locked file is stored.
• Right-click on 'My Computer' and choose 'manage'
• In 'Computer Management' drill down to System Tools -> Shared Folders -> Open files
• In the right pane there will be a list of all open files on the server with usernames and type of locking in a table.
• Right click on the file that you want to close and choose 'close file'. Click 'ok' on the confirmation and the file will disappear from the list.
• The file is ready to be opened again.