"cannot be ejected because it contains files in use by another application"

Help! I don't know what to do to be able to disconnect my new ipod nano from itunes. I am not a sophisticated technology individual. I don't want to cause damage to my computer or my new ipod. Can you please tell me what I need to do in order to be able to disconnect my ipod? Our family actually purchased 3 ipods and the other two did not have this problem at all (they are all set up under separate user names and have different music associated with them). Every time I click on the icon to disconnect this ipod it appears as though I can disconnect it for a few seconds and then the message "the ipod cannot be ejected becuase it contains files that are in use by another application". I really appreciate any help you can provide!
Dell Dimension 8400 Windows ME

Hi clb047 and Welcome to Discussions!
I would first try to quit iTunes. See if you can eject the iPod from My Computer. Or, try to eject the iPod the way you would disconnect another device such as a digital camera.
Try restarting your computer. Restarting quits all applications - so maybe this will help close the application that is using the iPod.
If you have any type of antivirus software, this could be trying to use or scan the iPod. However, I am not too sure about that.
Kyle-

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Cannot be updated because it contains files in use by another application

I have spent hours looking for a solution to this problem after updating itunes to version 7.0.1.8 I was unable to update my ipod nano to version 1.2, came up with box stating cannot update ipod because it contains files that are in use by another application. Also could not eject ipod from itunes as it came up with same error, only way to disconnect was to 'safetly remove hardward' from notification area. After searching various sites I found a solution that worked Ist time and very easy.
Look in the notification area at the bottom right of your screen, right click and remove/close any applications that might be using files, I closed OpenMG Jukebox, as soon as I had, my ipod could be updated in itunes and it could be ejected from itunes. I have now removed the OpenMG Jukebox from my system as I didn't use it anyway. Hope this helps others
Windows XP

Look in the notification area at the bottom right of your screen, right click and remove/close any applications that might be using files, I closed OpenMG Jukebox, as soon as I had, my ipod could be updated in itunes and it could be ejected from itunes. I have now removed the OpenMG Jukebox from my system as I didn't use it anyway. Hope this helps others

Cannot update ipod because it contains files in use by another application!

I recently upgraded from a powerbook g4 to an imac 20" C2D. Ever since I put my 5th gen ipod onto it it will give me that error every time i connect it or try to update it. I've tried restoring it and that doesn't fix it.
anyone seen this issue or have a solution?
Thanks a ton!

If you're talking about when syncing your iPod (as opposed to actually trying to update its software), then I've been getting this, or a similar message, sporadically ever since (I think) updating to iTunes 7, however it doesn't actually seem to stop songs (or photos) being copied across correctly, as far as I can tell - is your iPod actually not syncing correctly ?
Sometimes I get the message immediately the iPod mounts, and sometimes when it appears to have finished syncing, and it doesn't always occur. I've wondered whether it's actually being produced outside of iTunes by a Finder transaction for instance (my iPod is set for file usage as well), since as I say, I don't think I've ever noticed it not actually syncing as expected.
It's irritating though; and clearly a bug. Can't pin the circumstances down enough to be able to even think about a solution, and up until spotting your post hadn't bothered to raise the issue anywhere. But as I say, the message I'm getting isn't actually interfering with my iPod use.
G5 Dual 2.7, MacMini, iMac 700; P4/XP Desk & Lap. Mac OS X (10.4.8) mLan:01x/i88x; DP 5.1, Cubase SX3, NI Komplete, Melodyne.

IPod cannot be updated because it contains files in use by anaother applica

Whenever I try to update my 60gb iPod, it tells me:
iPod cannot be updated because it contains files in use by anaother application.
How do I stop this from happening & applow my iPod to update?
It's preventing me from watching some recent video downloads.

Re: First Gen. Nano and 30 gig video
I have been getting this same error on both of above referenced iPods that I have. I have tried to post questions on ipodgarage, and no one can answer this. I am seeing more and more people post this same problem.
C'mon Apple. What is going on with this? Please help us. This problem only started happening after updating to iTunes 7.0.

HT1351 Whether or not I sync items on iTunes to my ipod, I cannot eject the ipod because a message keeps coming up and saying that my ipod cannot be ejected because it contains files that are being used by another application. How do I fix this?

I just got an ipod classic 7th generation a couple days ago and I'm having a heck of a time with it. My latest problem is that with media on iTunes, I cannot eject the ipod because it says that it cannot be ejected because it contains files that are being used by another application. What application is this, and what do I do about it?

Hi newipoduser,
Here are some possible solutions:
Do you use musicmatch jukebox on your computer? If you do, you have to go into task manager on windows and end process mim.exe. It interferes with disconnecting ext devices
Empty your "trash/recycle bin."
If that doesn't work, try quitting all your programs, especially music-type programs, basically things that look for mp3's etc.
if that doesn't work, "log off" then "log on" and that should refresh/purge your OS system.
Finally, you can restart your computer.
Hope one of these helps!
Cheers,
GB

"The iPod cannot be ejected because it contains files that are in use..."

My iPod (20 gb, 4 gen) syncs fine, but when I go to eject it a window pops up saying "the iPod cannot be ejected because it contains files that are in use by another application."
Unfortunately, there are no files on it (that I know of) that are being used by another application.
I can't use the eject function on the task bar because I have Vista and it will corrupt the iPod. I've just been unplugging it with out ejecting, but was hoping there was a solution. Any advice?

Are you running any anti-virus or spyware detection software in the background? Start closing programs located in the taskbar next to the clock and try ejecting the iPod.

The Ipod cannot be ejected because it contains files that are in use by ano

When I want to eject my Ipod i get this message:
The Ipod cannot be ejected because it contains files that are in use by another application.
After I had put some songs on the ipod, i got that message. I thought maybe the new songs were the problem but de computer still doesn't want to eject my Ipod and there are no programes in use other than itunes.
Does anybody know what to do???!!!
greetings Mandarijn

hi Mandarijn!
The Ipod cannot be ejected because it contains files that are in use by another application.
by any chance, do you have McAfee ActiveScan security software on that PC? i've seen that implicated a few times with this message.
if you do have McAfee, as an experiment try switching that off prior to doing a sync. do you still get the message then?
if the McAfee thing doesn't-help/isn't-relevant, let's try using the following techniques to see if we can identify if some other program is causing the message. (the article is actually about installation errors, but the techniques are relevant to this sort of investigation.)
Close Applications Running in the Background
love, b

The ipod cannot be ejected because it contains files that are in use by another application

I am using my crusty but trusty 5G iPod with my new rMPB, and things have been working as expected for the month or so that I've had the new laptop. But "recently," (past few days?), when I go to eject from iTunes (current - 11.1.5), I get the error message, "The iPod cannot be ejected because it contains files that are in use by another application." The iPod is then ejected but the "Do not disconnect" message remains on the iPod screen. I can continue using the iPod as normal after all this.
If I eject the iPod from the Finder, I get no error message but the iPod screen still remains at "Do not disconnect."
I tried plugging it into my Windows 7 PC (did not reformat of course!) and then ejected it, and the iPod screen returned to its proper state after a proper Windows disconnect.
I have of course restarted my Mac and reset the iPod (Up + Center buttons held for ~5 sec) but no change. I don't remember changing the OS that would cause this - any suggestions as to the problem here?

Hello, cgtyoder.
Thank you for visiting Apple Support Communities.
Try resetting the iPod and power cycling your Mac to see if this message disappears. If the issue persists you may need to restore the device to factory settings. The article below will walk you through both these steps.
How to reset iPod
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1320
Cheers,
Jason H.

HT1351 Whenever I try and eject my iPod from iTunes after it is done syncing a box pops us that says "The iPods' 'Owners iPod' cannot be ejected because it contains files that are in use by another application".

Whenever I try and eject my iPod from iTunes after it is done syncing a box pops us that says "The iPods' 'Owners iPod' cannot be ejected because it contains files that are in use by another application".iTunes is the only thing open on my computer so I don't understand what this could mean. If anybody could help me out that would be great. Thanks

Hello, cgtyoder.
Thank you for visiting Apple Support Communities.
Try resetting the iPod and power cycling your Mac to see if this message disappears. If the issue persists you may need to restore the device to factory settings. The article below will walk you through both these steps.
How to reset iPod
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1320
Cheers,
Jason H.

Nano Error - The iPod cannot be ejected because it contains files that...

I am receiving the following message from windows -
The iPod cannot be ejected because it contains files that are in use by another application.
Thus far I have
reset me iPod, restores my iPod, uninstalled and installed iTunes. I have also removed Music Match Jukebox.
Any help is appreciated.

hi annicajess!
The iPod cannot be ejected because it contains files that are in use by another application.
let's try an experiment. first, let's check to see if the wee darling will disconnect properly if you switch off your antivirus and antispyware prior to an attempt at an eject.
if you're still getting the message, let's try steadily switching off background applications prior to attempts to eject (the following article is actually about installer errors, but the technique is the same for this sort of thing):
Close Applications Running in the Background
can you identify which application is causing the problem?
keep us posted.
love, b

HT1386 After downloading music to my Playlist, when I try to sync the music to my IPod, it gives the error (The IPOD cannot be ejected because it contains files that arer in use by another application. What does this mean?

After downloading songs to my Playlists, when I try to
sync the music to my IPod, an error msge says
"The IPod cannot be ejected because it contains
files that are in use by another application".
What does this mean??

- Terminate the sync
- Reboot the computer
- Reset the iOS device. Nothing will be lost
Reset iOS device: Hold down the On/Off button and the Home button at the same time for at
least ten seconds, until the Apple logo appears.
- Try again. If still problems try:
Removing and Reinstalling iTunes, QuickTime, and other software components for Windows XP\
or
Removing and reinstalling iTunes, QuickTime, and other software components for Windows Vista or Windows 7

Ipod cannot be updated because it contains files that are in use by an

My fifth gen/30 ipod is a mess since I installed itunes 7.I can't update or eject the little guy .The message reads"cannot be updated because it contains files that are in use by another application"or "cannot be ejected because it contains files that are in use by another application" Any help would be very appreciated!
Thanks!
dell Windows XP 30 gb video

I had the same problem. I had to uninstall 7.0 and install 6.0 and was able to restore OK. I'm back using 6.0, but just got a second generation ipod nano, so I have to go to 7.0 or greater. My only words of wisdom are DO NOT SET ANY LOCKS until you are really sure you want to. Also with 7.0 I could not eject my ipod unless I went to the "safe to eject ipod" command. Apple has some problems to work out and I hope soon. Clumsy as best...............
Dell Demension 8100 Desk Top Windows XP

'can't be ejected because it contains files that are in use"? help ~!

hey guys
so recently after i tried to upload a few videos onto my 80 gb video ipod (it worked fine before), i got a message that said 'the ipod 'owner's ipod' cannot be ejected because it contains files that are in use by another application'. this message pops up when i try to safely eject my ipod after its all done uploading, and when i click the eject button, the 'please do not disconnect, updating ipod' sign on my itunes comes up as well as the message up there. the "don't disconnect' sign comes up on my ipod as well. and only after i close itunes does it go away. what is the'other application' and how can i fix it?? help help ! thanks !

Well, I don't have an answer for you but it does happen to me occasionally also. I've never been able to figure it out either. I think it's interesting that it happens on your Windows machine and on my Mac. For me, it sometimes doesn't even help to quit iTunes. I have, on occasion, just disconnecte and reset the iPod, which doesn't seem to have done it any harm.

I can't eject ("files in use by another application") Windows/Vista Issue?

OK... so in the grand scheme of things, this really is NOT the end of the world... but it sure is super-annoying!! This is my first every Apple product (took a while to get on the bandwagon) and I was hoping for more stability and ease of use... I've called AppleCare several times and they can't help me figure this out... according to them it's a Windows/Vista issue (which DOES seem likely). I'm running Windows Vista Home Premium on a Dell Dimension E521.
Here's how it goes... I plug my iPod in, which opens up iTunes and it syncs fine. I wait until the top of iTunes says "sync complete" and the face of the iPod simply says "Connected". Then I click on the "eject" button next to the iPod listing in iTunes. It pauses for a moment, then I look down and the iPod suddenly has those syncing, circular arrows, moving again and it says "Synchronizing- do not disconnect". And then a few moments later, iTunes gives me a pop-up that says " XXXX ipod cannot be ejected because it contains files that are in use by another application"
So obviously, something else is connecting to the iPod and preventing me from ejecting it using iTunes, but I have not been able to figure out what it is!
Since it's something on my machine, I have tried the following:
- shut down AntiVirus (TrendMicro Internet Security 2008)
- turned off Windows Firewall
- went through all the programs running in the task bar and turned them off
- opened up Task Manager and turned EVERYTHING else I could see off
None of the above have made any difference. The workaround that Apple gave me was to go into Computer and then right click on the listed drive and select "Safely Remove" which usually works (the times it doesn't work, it gives a similar message saying the device was being used by another application and can't be removed, try again later). But 90% of the time it works.
I use that or the Eject option when I right click on that drive (not sure the difference, they seem to do the same thing). The workaround works, but I'd sure LOVE to get iTunes to be able to eject my iPod!!
Here's what I've done regarding this iPod and iTunes:
- reset the iPod
- restored the iPod
- uninstalled and re-installed iTunes
- selected and unselected the various things I'm syncing (currently: Music, TV Shows, Podcasts, Photos) to see if it was one of them causing the issue
NONE of the above has made any difference (and I've done each about 2-3 times, ZERO exaggeration).
I've called into AppleCare about half a dozen times now, hoping to get that one brilliant tech that knows more than the others... but no luck yet... so I thought I'd try this forum to see if one of the brilliant posters here can help me sort this out.
PLEASE- ANY help you can provide (or even just point me in the "right" direction of how to determine this) would be GREATLY appreciated!!
Thanks so much in advance,
SC

I am using windows Vista and having this problem also (not exactly, but iTunes gives pop-up that "files are in use"). Acting a suggestion from another answer in this thread, I clicked on Computer and selected eject...windows did warn me that the device was in use, but also gave me a CONTINUE button, which I clicked and it was ejected...had to go back to iTunes and eject the iPod there also, but it did eject

When I try to eject my ipod after sync I get the following message:"The iPod cannot be restored because it contains files that are in use by another application.". I tried to restore but it doesn't work and I get the same message

When I try to eject my ipod after sync I get the following message:The iPod cannot be restored because it contains files that are in use by another application.". I tried to restore but it doesn't work and I get the same message

Go to your computer's System Tray and try ejecting. If you can't eject, there is an application that is trying to access your iPod.
Go to http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb896653.aspx and download ProcessExplorer.
Go to http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555665 and follow the instructions under Resolution.
Note that this is a good, general process any time you can't access any file.
In my case an update to RealPlayer installed a program called RecordingManager that was accessing my iPod.

"cannot be ejected because it contains files in use by another application"

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