What Program Is Using My Files???

[Trikobalt]

Hello,

I have been trying to rename some *.AVI files. But when I try Windows gives me an error.

The error:
Cannot rename [File name]: It is being used by another person or program. Close any programs that might be using the file and try again.

Now this does not happen all the time or to the same file all the time and sometimes if I wait a random amount of time, the file will be no longer in use and I can rename it.

What I’m really looking for is some kind of utility that can tell me what program is using the file so I can investigate why the program is using it.

Thanks for any help.
Trikobalt

[FenderGtrsRock]

i belive this is due to some weirdo-wacko bug in windows xp one way to fix this is:

go to the tools menu of the folder your avi file is in and hit the folder options tab. then you hit use windows classic folders then apply changes, also make sure you are not using thumbnails cause that would do it as well.

i've heard it has something to do with the preview of the video...but i cant remember correctly *searches around*

[Trikobalt]

It seems that fixed it.

Thanks

[Miz]

For future reference - FenderGtrsRock is on the right track. It's not a bug, though, it's a "feature." An annoying, useless feature in my opinion.

When you open a folder through My Computer or Windows Explorer, XP starts indexing everything in that folder. While this is going on, the files are "in use."

In the case of big files...as .avi files tend to be...that indexing can take quite a while. If there are a number of large files in the folder, the indexing can take an eternity. If there is a corrupt file in the folder, Windows can't index it but it never stops trying.

One cure that usually works is to go into Control Panel>Administrative Tools>Services and set the Indexing service to "Disabled." I do that on all of the XP systems I maintain and haven't had any further problems with it.