

How to fix 'The process cannot access the file because another process has locked a portion of the file' (Error 33)
Jul 28, 2025 am 12:30 AMWhen encountering the problem of "another program is using this file", first of all, you should clarify whether it is temporary or long-term occupation, and then choose the appropriate method to solve it. 1. Restarting the computer is the easiest way, suitable for uncertainty about which program occupies or occasionally, but if it happens frequently, it needs to be further investigated; 2. Use resource monitor to find specific processes, enter resource monitor through the task manager to search for file names or paths and end related tasks. Before operation, you need to confirm the process source to avoid system instability; 3. Check whether antivirus software or synchronization tool causes locking, try to close security software, check the synchronization status, or move the file out of the synchronization directory; 4. Use third-party tools such as Unlocker and LockHunter to quickly unlock it. It is recommended to download it from trusted sources and run it with administrator privileges, while avoiding the locking of the system files at will to avoid causing exceptions.
This problem is really a headache, especially when you are about to delete, move, or modify a file, and the prompt "Another program is using this file" pops up. In fact, this is not that the file is really corrupted, but that the system detects that a process occupies it. The solution is not complicated, but requires a little patience.

1. Restarting the computer is the easiest way
Many people's first reaction when encountering this problem is to find various tools. In fact, the most direct and effective way is to restart the system . Many background processes will automatically release resources after restarting, including locking files.
- Suitable scenario: You are not sure which program locks the file, or just occasionally this problem occurs
- Note: Although it is simple, if it occurs frequently, it means that a program has been occupying resources, so further investigation is required.
2. Use the resource monitor to check who is occupying the file
If you don't want to restart, you can manually find which process is "making trouble".

The steps are as follows:
- Press
Ctrl Shift Esc
to open Task Manager - Click the Performance tab of the top menu → Click "Open Resource Monitor" at the bottom
- Switch to the "CPU" tab (don't ask why, this is designed by Microsoft)
- Enter the locked file name or part of the path in the "Associated Handle" search box below
- If the result is found, right-click the process → end the task
?? Reminder: Ending the system-related processes may cause system instability. It is best to confirm the source of the process before operation.

3. Check if it is caused by antivirus software or synchronization tools
Some security software (such as Windows Defender) or cloud synchronization tools (such as OneDrive, Dropbox) will scan or synchronize files in the background, and the files will also be locked.
You can try:
- Try to turn off the antivirus software temporarily
- Check if there is a status icon in synchronization (there is a small icon next to the file in Explorer)
- Move the file to the asynchronous directory before operating
This type of problem is also prone to occur when using remote desktop or certain editors (such as VSCode, Photoshop). Turning off these programs can usually solve the problem.
4. Quickly unlock files with third-party tools
If you don't want to toss, you can also use some lightweight gadgets to deal with it:
- Unlocker : Right-click the file and select "Unlocker" to automatically list the occupied processes and unlock them.
- LockHunter : More powerful, supports forced release of most locked states
Recommended usage:
- Pay attention to the source when downloading to avoid bundling software
- It is best to run this type of tool with administrator privileges.
- Do not unlock system files randomly, as it may cause blue screen or other abnormalities
Basically these are the methods. This problem is not serious, but it is easy to get stuck without understanding the mechanism. Before starting, determine whether it is a temporary problem or a long-term existence, and then decide whether to conduct in-depth investigations.
The above is the detailed content of How to fix 'The process cannot access the file because another process has locked a portion of the file' (Error 33). For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!

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