Cannot copy file because it is in use

On my new iMac I have some files that I have downloaded and want to archive on an external drive. For some reasons Finder complains that the file cannot be copied because it is in use. And it is not. I have tried all that I have found on the Internet including compressing the file and then copying it. But even the compressed file appears to Finder to be in use. Anything you can suggest would be appreciated.
Farzad

Thanks, Don.
You are correct. I agree that no one besides me would know what I have or have not tired. Sorry, Kappy - thanks for having responded to my message. I thought it would be a given that anyone smart enough to find Apple Support Forum would have known to try some initial stuff before getting here. Never the less, I should have mentioned it in another way and been clear.
I have found a solution - for anyone else who may stumble on this discussion. I have sort of succeeded with using the Ternminal to manually copy the files that Finder refuses to copy. But now I can't do that either. It seems the problem is with large files and based on questions of others on the general internet, that it is not just me - it could be the OS. Some of these files I am dealing with are between 1.0 to 6.0 GB.
Thanks again, folks.
Farzad

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Cannot copy files from CD or DVD using Finder.

Hi,
I cannot copy files and folders from a CD or DVD to my home folder or any folder therein using Finder. I just get the "Not Permitted" symbol next to the mouse pointer when I try to drag a folder out of the CD (or DVD) to my home folder.
I have checked that I have sufficient permissions to perform this operation and when I copy files from the CD or DVD using the command line, it works without any hassles.
This is extremely strange and I cannot think of why it should happen.
A solution would be most welcome as I would prefer not to have to drop into a command line when I have to copy files from CDs or DVDs.
Regards,
Apurva
Apple iBook G4 Mac OS X (10.4)

I am experiencing the same problem: after undoing a copy in the Finder from my CD-drive to my Seagate 200GB FW-drive, I am no longer able to copy single files in the Finder from other drives than my harddisk. I can copy from my hard disk to my external harddisk, I can move and copy files within the harddisk, but I cannot copy from my external hard drive or my CD/DVD-drive to my harddisk or from my CD/DVD-drive to my external hard drive or the internal harddisk.
What is increasingly weird, is that I can easily copy two or more files using drag and drop! I also get a nice green + sometimes when trying to move the files, but there is just no response.
I have tried the following:
0) rebooted.
1) rm com.apple.finder.plist + killall -9 Finder
2) done that in the finder using cmd-alt-esc to kill the finder.
3) removed cache files using Yasu from http://jimmitchelldesigns.com/yasu.html, including rebooting
4) Doublechecked permissions, including locked bits
5) run periodic everything from the Terminal
6) repaired permissions
7) checked the hard disk using disk utility
8) Logged in as another admin user to no avail.
I can use the Terminal to copy the files without any problems, and I can open files in other applications and save them where ever from there, but the Finder refuses to let me.
May Gods wrath kill the Finder for good! I certainly hope 10.5 will show a new Finder!

I cant figure out what is wrong i keep getting this an OIEception that says "{"The process cannot access the file because it is being used by another process."}

I am trying to move a file from a folder to another folder.
here is my code:
//storage of the all files
string[] folderContentNames = Directory.GetFiles(@"C:\Users\Jonah\Desktop\Test Pictures");
private void historyPictureBox_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
destinationFile = @"C:\Users\Jonah\Desktop\Test Test";
File.Move(folderContentNames[1], destinationFile);
updateListBoxFileName();
updateImageBox();
each time I hit the bolded underlined part I get that error message.
if you need anything else just ask.
Thanks in advance,
Thor Orb

Hi Thor,
If you want to move a file from a folder to another folder, I think you could get the sourcePath and TargetPath. The code below shows a simple demo:
string[] folders = Directory.GetFiles(@"D:\Test\VSC#\01\WindowsFormsApp\WindowsFormsApp\Test");
string desFile =Path.Combine( @"D:\Test\VSC#\01\WindowsFormsApp\WindowsFormsApp\Test - Copy\"+Path.GetFileName(folders[1]));
File.Move(folders[1], desFile);
In addition, the link below might be useful to you:
# How to: Copy, Delete, and Move Files and Folders (C# Programming Guide)
>> The process cannot access the file because it is being used by another process
The message seemed that the file was opened in other process. Did you operate the file with other code?
I think you could check if the files and the folders were opened, and review your codes if they were used in other places.
If you have any further questions, please feel free to post in this forum.
Best Regards,
Edward
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Ya, Thanks I figured about the path and destation. yes I am using the file in another area, the file is an image jpg and I am displaying it in a picture box. Now I have been doing a little research I see a command called Dispose() and this is suppose to
release the handle on the image, but I can seem to figure out have to use it correctly.
using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.ComponentModel;
using System.Data;
using System.Drawing;
using System.Linq;
using System.Text;
using System.Collections;
using System.Threading.Tasks;
using System.Windows.Forms;
using System.IO;
namespace Scanned_Picture_Ogranizer
public partial class Form1 : Form
//storage of the all files
string[] folderContentNames = Directory.GetFiles(@"C:\Users\Jonah\Desktop\Scan Project Testing\Test Pictures", "*.jpg");
//List<string> folderContentList = folderContentNames.ToList();
private List<string> folderContentList = new List<string>();
Bitmap currentImage;
Bitmap placeHolder;
public Form1()
InitializeComponent();
convertingArrayToList();
startUpData();
string sourceFile = @"C:\Users\Jonah\OneDrive\My Programming Projects\Scanned Picture Organizer Project\Test Pictures";
string destinationFile = "";
private void moveButton_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
private void startUpData()
//placeHolder = new Bitmap(folderContentList[0]);
//currentImage = (Bitmap)placeHolder.Clone();
// Image loadImage = new Bitmap(pictureClones[0]);
// currentFilePictureBox.Image = loadImage;
int numberOfFilesLeft = folderContentNames.Length;
foreach (string name in folderContentNames)
fileNamesListBox.Items.Add(name);
fileNameTextBox.Text = folderContentNames[0];
numberOfFilesLeftTextBox.Text = numberOfFilesLeft.ToString();
///loadImage.Dispose();
//FileStream currentImage = new FileStream(folderContentList[0], FileMode.Open, FileAccess.Read, FileShare.ReadWrite);
private void convertingArrayToList()
foreach (string listName in folderContentNames)
folderContentList.Add(listName);
private void selectingImageFromListBox()
private void updateImageBox()
Bitmap currentImage = new Bitmap(folderContentList[0]);
currentFilePictureBox.Image = currentImage;
currentImage.Dispose();
private void updateListBoxFileName()
fileNamesListBox.Items.RemoveAt(0);
fileNameTextBox.Text = folderContentList[0];
// numberOfFilesLeftTextBox.Text = numberOfFilesLeft.ToString();
private void historyPictureBox_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
destinationFile = @"C:\Users\Jonah\Desktop\Scan Project Testing\Test Test\";
File.Move(folderContentList[0], destinationFile + System.IO.Path.GetFileName(folderContentList[0]));
folderContentList.RemoveAt(0);
updateImageBox();
updateListBoxFileName();
when I first start the program the first picture displays, but when I trigger historyPictureBox_Click(), it does that error again. Another things is that I already looked at that link and it didn't help.
I just super confused, I would like your help on this.
Thanks,
Thor Orb

Backup stopped before completing. The process cannot access the file because it is being used by another process

I am working with a client who is attempting to backup to a NAS device
The device is a linksys NSS6000 (Cisco device).
It’s a dual 1Gbit LAN device that supports CIFS / FTP and NFS transfers. It has only 1Gbit lan connected.
The device has 4 * 500 gb sata drives in raid 1 attached.
Cables go from cat 5 to fiber back to cat5. (The NAS is located at a neighboring office) The switches are 1gbit.
Server is a win2k8r1 fully up to date.
When backing up to the NAS device, the following error occurs:
Running backup of volume Local Disk(D:), copied (86%).
Running backup of volume Local Disk(D:), copied (90%).
Running backup of volume Local Disk(D:), copied (94%).
Running backup of volume Local Disk(D:), copied (98%).
Backup of volume Local Disk(D:) completed successfully.
Backup stopped before completing.
Summary of backup:
Backup stopped before completing.
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If we redirect the backup to a folder on a 2008 share, the backup completes successfully.
Only when backing up to the linksys NSS6000 does the error occur.
No other backup processes are writing to the NAS device so I can't understand why the process thinks the file is
being used by another process.
One thing we did notice that when the backup to the NAS device occurs, throughput is about 150 mbit average
On the 2008 server shares we successfully backup to, the through put is 500 mbit. Not sure if that is important, but
might be worth mentioning.
The following event log entry was noted at the end of the backup.
The description for Event ID '519' in Source 'Microsoft-Windows-Backup' cannot be found.
The local computer may not have the necessary registry information or message DLL files to display the message,
or you may not have permission to access them. The following information is part of the
event:'2009-05-12T10:13:31.617Z', '', '2147942432', '%%2147942432'
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Thanks..Michael

I am also seeing the same problem backing up nightly to a brand new NAS device (WD My Book Live)
All the error codes are the same as those in this thread.
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Fault bucket 659897467, type 5
Event Name: WindowsBackupFailure
Response: Not available
Cab Id: 0
Problem signature:
P1: Backup
P2: 6.1.7600
P3: 0x80070020
P4: 7
P5:
P6:
P7:
P8:
P9:
P10:
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C:\Windows\Logs\WindowsBackup\WindowsBackup.1.etl
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C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\WER\ReportArchive\NonCritical_Backup_6957d65de91fc4a853ecc7c78914bf7351fff0d1_14578325
Analysis symbol:
Rechecking for solution: 0
Report Id: dd480bf2-56a6-11e0-ae81-00217099bf56
Report Status: 0
From Report.wer in C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\WER\ReportArchive\NonCritical_Backup_6957d65de91fc4a853ecc7c78914bf7351fff0d1_14578325
Version=1
EventType=WindowsBackupFailure
EventTime=129455071508181139
Consent=1
UploadTime=129455071508201140
ReportIdentifier=dd480bf2-56a6-11e0-ae81-00217099bf56
Response.BucketId=659897467
Response.BucketTable=5
Response.type=4
Sig[0].Name=Operation
Sig[0].Value=Backup
Sig[1].Name=AppVer
Sig[1].Value=6.1.7600
Sig[2].Name=HRESULT
Sig[2].Value=0x80070020
Sig[3].Name=TargetType
Sig[3].Value=7
DynamicSig[1].Name=OS Version
DynamicSig[1].Value=6.1.7600.2.0.0.256.48
DynamicSig[2].Name=Locale ID
DynamicSig[2].Value=1033
State[0].Key=Transport.DoneStage1
State[0].Value=1
State[1].Key=DataRequest
State[1].Value=Bucket=659897467/nBucketTable=5/nResponse=1/n
FriendlyEventName=WindowsBackupFailure
ConsentKey=WindowsBackupFailure
AppName=Windows host process (Rundll32)
AppPath=C:\Windows\System32\rundll32.exe
ReportDescription=Windows Backup failure

I am in the middle of a job using CS 6, but at the same time opening the Creative Suite apps. I created an InDesign file in CS 6, saved it, and now I can't open it. I'm getting this message: Cannot open file because it was saved with a newer version of A

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Sounds like you opened and saved it in CC, so now you need to go back to CC and either complete the project there, or export to IDML to take it back into CS6.

Cancel cannot save to the file because it is in use

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Thanks

Thanks for the fast reply
Actually i learn before from a forum that could be an issue so i take care so the file is not marked. Nevertheless it keeps telling me the file is in use. What could it be?
Cheers

Bug: Numbers File cannot be deleted because it is in use

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It's actually a plain and simple file. It contains several sheets, each sheet 1 or 2 tables, but no links to external files nor links within the file from one table to another.
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I am trying to delete an XLS file from a network drive and am getting a message that says the file cannot be deleted because it is in use. I can't see where it is in use and have tried to reboot the computer to no avail.

I am trying to delete an XLS file from a network drive and am getting a message that says the file cannot be deleted because it is in use. I can't see where it is in use and have tried to reboot the computer to no avail. I can delete other files but several XLS files are giving me this message.

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Move-item: The process cannot access the file because it is being used by another process.

Hey,
I have a powershell script where I first use Get-childitem to receive a number of files.
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Hey,
Thank you.
I build the following function.
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Write-Host " "
$FileInfo = New-Object System.IO.FileInfo $($FilePath)
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try{
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$return = $true
catch{
Start-Sleep -Milliseconds 5
Write-Host "." -NoNewline
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$Error
return $return
Another functions is:
Function Wait-FileUnlock($FilePath){
Write-Host " "
DO{
$Error.Clear()
Rename-Item $FilePath $FilePath -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue | Out-Null
Start-Sleep -Milliseconds 5
Write-Host "." -NoNewline
While($Error.Count -ne 0)
This one waits .. but it seems not to end waiting at any time :(

How do I fix this error: DF024: Unable to preserve original file at ... Error 32 The process cannot access the file because it is being used by another process.(Seq 1352). ?

I am installing creative the cloud Illustrator desktop app on a machine with windows 7 64 bit running in a domain environment. The download starts and takes about runs for a bout 10 minutes and then stops with the error: DF024: Unable to preserve original file at "C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Illustrator CC 2014\Support Files\Contents\Windows\AdobeLinguistic.dll" Error 32 The process cannot access the file because it is being used by another process.(Seq 1352)
I am logged in as a network administrator and there are no other apps except a web browser (Chrome) running. There are no other users logged into the machine.
How can I see what other process is using the needed file so that I can fix it?
Thanks

MelissaB34 it looks like you already are reviewing your installation log files but you can find more information at Troubleshoot install issues with log files | CC - http://helpx.adobe.com/creative-cloud/kb/troubleshoot-install-logs-cc.html. From the error you have posted it appears that your current User account is either unable to update C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Illustrator CC 2014\Support Files\Contents\Windows\AdobeLinguistic.dll or does not have sufficient file permissions to do so. Since you mentioned you are on a domain please ensure that you are working with your I.T. department and have correct access to this directory.
You may want to also consider logging in under a local administrator account to see if you face the same difficulties. This would help you determine if you are facing a file corruption issue or file permission issue.

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Please Mark This As Answer if it helps to solve the issue Visakh ---------------------------- http://visakhm.blogspot.com/ https://www.facebook.com/VmBlogs

The process cannot access the file because it is being used by another proc

We are exporting crystal reports into PDF using ExportToHttpResponse (code snippet below)
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Now we have created these REPORTS using Basic Crystal Report 10.5, which comes bundled with Visual Studio 2008 and .Net Framework 3.0.
Now on our machines, we have never experienced any issues.
BUT on the DEV server (web server) which has .net Framework 3.0 and in its GAC its has CRYSTAL DLLs version 11.5 (required to create an Object of ReportClass and its related functions) ; sometimes we get the following error while exporting crystal report to pdf:
The process cannot access the file because it is being used by another process. Description: An unhandled exception occurred during the execution of the current web request. Please review the stack trace for more information about the error and where it originated in the code.
Exception Details: System.Runtime.InteropServices.COMException: The process cannot access the file because it is being used by another process.
Source Error:
An unhandled exception was generated during the execution of the current web request. Information regarding the origin and location of the exception can be identified using the exception stack trace below.
Stack Trace:
[COMException (0x80004005): The process cannot access the file because it is being used by another process.
   CrystalDecisions.ReportAppServer.Controllers.ReportSourceClass.Export(ExportOptions pExportOptions, RequestContext pRequestContext) +0
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A bit of a confusion on my part;
Now we have created these REPORTS using Basic Crystal Report 10.5, which comes bundled with Visual Studio 2008 and .Net Framework 3.0. Now on our machines, we have never experienced any issues.
Going by the above, you should have references to CR assemblies of version 10.5.3700 only. No other references.
Now, looking at this paragraph:
BUT on the DEV server (web server) which has .net Framework 3.0 and in its GAC its has CRYSTAL DLLs version 11.5 (required to create an Object of ReportClass and its related functions) ; sometimes we get the following error while exporting crystal report to pdf:
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CRRedist2008_ia64.msi
https://smpdl.sap-ag.de/~sapidp/012002523100006255262008E/CRRedist2008_ia64.zip
CRRedist2008_x64.msi
https://smpdl.sap-ag.de/~sapidp/012002523100006255272008E/CRRedist2008_x64.zip
CRRedist2008_x86.msi
https://smpdl.sap-ag.de/~sapidp/012002523100009351342008E/CRBasicVS2008_redist_x86.zip
One way to check on what is actually loading is to use the [Modules|https://smpdl.sap-ag.de/~sapidp/012002523100006252802008E/modules.zip] utility.
- Ludek

Cannot copy files from my network using finder

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Cannot copy file, file is in use

Macbook pro 13 mid 2009 with Yosemite fresh install. (i have the same problem with the old MacOSX).
When i try to copy a file, or a bunch of files, to the wdtvlivehub i have the message error "cannot copy file, the file is in use".
I try the following:
- in the wdtvlivehub activated the DNLA, WINDOWS and Itunes Server (and the linux).
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- repair permission on disk
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- connect the wdtvlivehub via SMB, CIFS
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The file sometimes been copied but i have to try a billion times....not so comfort in this.
What i have to do?
P.S. Sorry for my bad english.

Hi,
We often see this file in use when the file has not been closed. Is it just a regular file that was opened and how did you open it? I use AppleScript to close it if it was opened with AppleScript.
Edited: try this: Run Script Editor. Enter:
set f to choose file -- select the file
close access f
run it in Script Editor.
gl,
kel

The operation cannot be completed because it is in use

i have a macbook with yosemite running.I also have a wdtv live with a 1tb hdd on it.I could transfer files from my mac to the hdd over wifi with no problem till i upgraded to yosemite.It tells me when i transfer a large file the operation cannot be completed because it is in use.Small files can be transferred with no problem at all.When i transfer them through direct usb to the hdd no problem at all.What can be the solution to this problem???

If there are problems with updating or with the permissions then easiest is to download the full version and trash the currently installed version to do a clean install of the new version.
Download a new copy of the Firefox program and save the disk image (dmg) file to the desktop
* Firefox 7.0.x: http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/all.html
* Trash the current Firefox application to do a clean (re-)install
* Install the new version that you have downloaded
Your profile data is stored elsewhere in the Firefox Profile Folder, so you won't lose your bookmarks and other personal data.
* http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_folder_-_Firefox

Cannot copy file because it is in use

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