If you work in IT, you’re probably familiar with users constantly locking files where others are not able to edit them. If you have admin rights, you can force a disconnect and release the file lock using these steps.
Note: If you do not have permissions to release file locks, you may want to ask a person who does to grant you access or ask them to perform these steps.
- Hold the Windows Key and press “R” to bring up the Windows Run dialog screen.
- Type “mmc“, then press “Enter“.
- Go to “File” > “Add/Remove Snap-in…“.
- Scroll down and select “Shared Folders“, then choose “Add“.
- Select “Local computer” if you are logged into the computer or server where the file resides. Otherwise, select “Another computer“, then type the Computer Name of the other computer. You may also select “Browse…” to find the computer name.
- Select “Finish“.
- Select “OK“.
- Expand “Shared Folders“, then select “Open Files“.
- Find the file that is locked, then right-click it and choose “Close Open File“.
Now if you have the other user close the application, then re-open the file, they should be able to edit it without a locking issue.
This post applies to Windows 10, 7, 8, Server 2008, and Server 2012.
Ian says
Brillilant, just had a file locked deep in a ridiculously long file tree.
Did the job.
Cheers
Jaylusa says
Thanks a bunch :)
ashwini says
I am trying to launch Android Device Monitor but it gives me an error because there is a .lock file in the monitor folder. I executed the steps above but in the open files, that lock file is not shown. The file resides on the same computer from where I launched command window. I am using windows 10.