Skip to main content

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

Brad Alexander
  • Updated
  1. Product Version:
    2. Servosity Standard: All
    ServosityPro: All
    OS: Windows
  2. Problem Description:
    3. When performing a file backup, the following error message is received in the backup report:

    Example with backup source located locally:
    Backup Logs
     No.  Type  Timestamp  Backup Logs
    1 Info YYYY/MM/DD hh:mm Start [ Windows platform (Test), ServosityPro 5.x.x.x ]
    2 Info YYYY/MM/DD hh:mm Start running pre-commands
    3 ...  ...  ...
    *  Error  YYYY/MM/DD hh:mm  [Error][Updated File] File="C:\Directory\File" Error="The process cannot access the file        
    because it is being used by another process."

    or

    Example with backup source located on network:
    Backup Logs
     No.  Type  Timestamp  Backup Logs
    1 Info YYYY/MM/DD hh:mm Start [ Windows platform (Test), ServosityPro 5.x.x.x ]
    2 Info YYYY/MM/DD hh:mm Start running pre-commands
    3 ...  ...  ...
    *  Error  YYYY/MM/DD hh:mm  [Error][Updated File] File="\\Network_Path\Directory\File" Error="The process cannot access
    the file because it is being used by another process."
  3. Cause:
    4. The message suggests that the corresponding file is currently locked by another process/application during the backup operation.
  4. Resolution:
    5. Windows 2000:
    Since Volume Shadow Copy is not available in Windows 2000, you would need to stop the application which is accessing the affected file before the backup job can be performed.

    Windows XP / 2003:
    To resolve the issue, please make sure the VSS option is enabled for the backup set.
    1. Click the "Backup Settings" icon to open the "Backup Settings" pop up window.
    2. Select the backup set from the drop down menu
    3. Select the "Options" tab for the selected backup set.
    4. Make sure the "Enable Volume Shadow Copy" option is checked.
    vss.jpg
    Backup source on network drive:
    Since Shadow Copy cannot be created for file(s) that is located over a network, you would need to stop the application which is accessing the affected file before the backup job can be performed.

    Alternatively, you can also install the ServosityPro application on the machine which host the network resource. Assuming that the machine is not installed on Windows 2000 operating system, please enable the Volume Shadow Copy add-on module and perform the backup job again.