File Manager Does Not Allow Copying of Open Files

 Last reviewed: November 23, 1994
Article ID: Q92791
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows for Workgroups versions 3.1, 3.11
  • Microsoft Windows operating system versions 3.1, 3.11

SYMPTOMS

If you use File Manager to copy a file that is being used by another application, the following error message is generated: 

   Access denied, source file may be in use.
However, if you use the COPY command from MS-DOS Prompt to copy a file that is being used by another application, the file copies successfully.

CAUSE

For security reasons, File Manager refuses to copy files that another application might be in the process of changing. The COMMAND.COM portion of MS-DOS does not check to see of if the file is being changed by another application.

NOTE: To avoid losing data, do not try to copy files that are being modified by either Windows-based or MS-DOS-based applications.

KBCategory: kbtool kberrmsg
KBSubcategory: wfw wfwg win31
Additional reference words: 3.10 3.11 open file copies open-file

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Last reviewed: November 23, 1994
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