Batch file Error: Process cannot access the file because it is being used by another process

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ASKER

Yes, I think the problem is a file lock.
But, isn't there any way to unlock?
How long is a lock on a file maintained.

I was thinking of doing a
timeout /t 10
but that does not seem to work either.

SOLUTION

Gerwin Jansen

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ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

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ASKER

I would think it is the copy command.

Because, I am
1. deleting my backup copy
2. copying my previously downloaded file to the backup file.
3. deleting the previously downloaded file.

The problem is happening between 2-3.

ASKER

Essentially, I am doing coping (copy) and deleting (del) commands.
The import does not happen till later.

So, how do I close out a copy or del command?

This is all in a batch file.

Gerwin Jansen

>> The problem is happening between 2-3.
Not likely, the copy command finishes before you try to delete it.

I would think it is the copy command.

Because, I am
1. deleting my backup copy
2. copying my previously downloaded file to the backup file.
3. deleting the previously downloaded file.

The problem is happening between 2-3.
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...

previously downloaded file

so myfile.csv is downloaded by what? Why not download it to "backupmyfile.csv"?

Is it being stuck on an FTP site? might be possible IIS is holding on to it needlessly..

I don't think it's the delete, but if the above is not the case it could be I suppose.

If so you can do the following (and just add it as it makes no harm to just use this as a whole)

DEL /F/Q myfileBackup.csv
COPY /Y  myfile.csv myfileBackup.csv
DEL /F /Q  myfile.csv

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ASKER

The error message is happening on the second del command.
I would think that the copy and del commands release quickly.
But I even tried adding the timeout /t 10 for each delete.
same result.

ASKER

I am using a third party tool that downloads their data file.
When I used it I was able to successfully download their file.
Now that I am trying to automate the process using a batch file
I am having problems.

I just tried the code you provided and got the same result.

In fact I created a new batch file with just those commands and am getting the same error.

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ASKER

How would that be possible?
The tool has not been called yet.
In fact in the batch file I am running now it is only copy and del commands.
I removed all reference to the tool.

I tried the code you provided but it runs so quickly I can see no output.
I added a pause just before the last line, but I am still not able to see what is
happening.

ASKER

Okay it is working now!

The real problem was me!
I had a copy of the imported file open on another screen (minimized).

So the error was reporting true. It could not delete the file because I
had it open.

the real issue is deleting "MyFile.csv"

The real problem was me!
I had a copy of the imported file open on another screen (minimized).

So the error was reporting true. It could not delete the file because I
had it open.

the real issue is deleting "MyFile.csv"

@Calebbaity

Yup, thats what I was driving at, glad to help!

Ben