Removing a lock on shared files

On occasion, a file may be locked on a File Server share that is held open by a different user session.

Where possible, Windows sharing will display the user sign-in name of the person holding a file open. You can contact that user to confirm if the file is currently open and locked and ask for them to save changes and close the file.

If they do not have the file open in an app, you can remove the lock on files using the below steps.

NOTE: You need to have File Server administrative permissions to perform this task.

1. Logon to the File Server that hosts the share containing the file that is locked.
   
   
2. Press Ctrl + R to open the Run dialog and type mmc.exe then click OK.
   
   
   
   
3. In the Microsoft Management Console, click File, then Add/Remove Snap-in...
   
   
   
   
4. In the Add or Remove Snap-ins selector, find Shared Folders then click Add >
   
   
   
   
5. In the Shared Folders options, under View, select Open Files, then click Finish. Click OK in the Add or Remove Snap-ins selector.
   
   
   
   
6. Double click Open Files (Local). You will see a list of all open files being served and their state. Locate the open file in the list.
   
   
   
   
7. Right-click the open file, the click Close Open File. A file can be open by more than one user, so if there are others that have the file open, close them as well.
   
   
   
   
8. Open File Explorer and navigate to the file location and try the task that failed because of locking again.