Last Updated on October 7, 2026
When you are working with files such as documents, spreadsheets, photos, videos and so on, they are loaded into your computer’s memory (RAM) as you work on them. Then when you close the file, it is released from memory so it can be used for other files and programs. But sometimes you will find that you have closed a file and want to move or delete it but get a message that you cannot because the file is in use.
Often the only way to get around this is to reboot your computer or maybe you can get lucky and kill the program or process that was used to open that file. But nobody wants to have to close all the programs and files to reboot just to move or delete a single file. In this article, we will be showing you how to find what is holding a file open and how to close or kill the process responsible for keeping it open.
If closing the program that was used to open the file does not release its hold on that file, there is a way you may be able to find the offending app and close it using a tool built into Windows. There are also third party apps you can use to find what else might be accessing that file and then kill the process to free up the hold on that file.
The tool you will use to find what is holding a file open will depend on the type of file. The image below shows an ISO file that says it’s in use by a process called System. When you try and delete the file for example, you get a message that says, “The action can’t be completed because the file is open in System”. This message is not too informative unless you happen to know what System is.
Use Opened Files View to Unlock Files
1. Download and Run the Tool
To find what program or process has this file locked and preventing it from being able to be deleted, we will be using a free program called Opened Files View. There is nothing to install and all you need to is download the zip file, extract it and run the OpenedFilesView.exe file. This lightweight utility scans your entire system for locked files instantly.
2. Locate Your Locked File
The Opened Files View tool has many columns of information such as file name, handle, path, file position, process ID, process user and more. You can drag and drop the column headers to rearrange them or add or remove columns as needed. After opening the tool and sorting by filename, we were able to find the ISO file that we are unable to delete in the list. We can then see the process name (System process) as well as the file handle and other information.
3. View the Available Actions
When right clicking on the file in question, you have several actions that you can take on the file. These options give you complete control over the locked background process. You can choose the exact method you want to use to free up your document.
Opened Files View Action Options
1. Bring Process to Front
This will make the program that is using the file active so you see it if possible. It pulls the hidden application right up to your main desktop view. You can then close the application normally using its own exit button.
2. Close Selected File Handles
File handles are unique identifiers assigned by the operating system to track and manage open files or other I/O resources like sockets or devices. Closing the file handle is a way to attempt to close the file so you can take action on it. This severs the connection without crashing the entire host application.
3. Copy Locked Files to Another Folder
Sometimes system restrictions completely block your attempts to modify the original item. If you cannot move, close or delete the file, you can make a copy of it in another location. You can then do what you need to do with that new copied version safely.
4. Close Processes of Selected Files
This option takes a slightly more aggressive approach to the problem. It will try and close the process holding the file gracefully to release the hold on the file. The software sends a standard termination signal to the offending application.
5. Kill Processes of Selected Files
If you can’t close the process that is using the file, you can use this option to force it closed. Just keep in mind that it may result in data loss if you are unable to save your work. It instantly terminates the program without any warning prompts.
Here is a video demonstrating how the Opened Files View app works.
Use Built-In Windows Tools
1. Identify the Program in the Error
The image below shows another example of a locked file. This time it tells you that the file is open in Microsoft Word which makes it easier to close the program that has it open. But sometimes you may come across a situation where the program is closed yet the file is still locked in use.
2. Force Close via Task Manager
If you know how to use Task Manager, you can open that up and find the Microsoft Word or WINWORD.exe process. You just right click on it and choose Kill Process. This stops the background executable from running and frees up your document immediately.
3. Search in Resource Monitor
If you do not know what program has the file locked, you can also try to open the Windows Resource Monitor tool to find out. Once you have Resource Monitor open, click on the CPU tab. Then in the section labeled Associated Handles, there is a box where you can type in the name of the locked file and search for it.
4. End the Process in Resource Monitor
If it is able to find it, you will be shown the process or program that has the file locked open as well as its PID (Process ID). You can then right click on the process name in the Image column and choose End Process to release the hold on the file. The Windows Resource Monitor tool works perfectly for stubborn background services.
Here is a video showing this process.
As you can see, there are several ways to find what is holding a file open and how to close or kill the process.
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