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."}

Question

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

Answer 1

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