Identify Which Process Is Blocking a File in Windows

When you see the error "The process cannot access the file because it is being used by another process," you can use several built-in or free tools to find out which process is locking the file or folder.

Using Resource Monitor

Resource Monitor is built into Windows:

• Press Win + R, type resmon, and press Enter. This will open Resource Monitor.
• Go to the CPU tab.
• In the Associated Handles section, use the search box to enter part of the file or folder name.

• The results will show which processes are using the file. Check the Image and PID columns to identify the process.
• You can right-click the process and select End Process if necessary (be cautious when ending processes).

Using Process Explorer

Process Explorer is a free tool from Microsoft Sysinternals:

• Download and run Process Explorer as administrator. You can acquire Process Explorer using the following WingGet command:

Winget install Microsoft.Sysinternals.ProcessExplorer

• In Process Explorer, Press Ctrl + F or go to Find > Find Handle or DLL.
• Type part of the file or folder name and click Search.
• The tool will list all processes currently using the file. Click an entry to highlight the process in the main window.
• You can right-click the handle and select Close Handle to release the file (use with caution).

Using Command Line Tools

• openfiles: Run openfiles /query in Command Prompt (may require enabling with openfiles /local on and a restart). This shows which files are open and by which process. You’d have to enable the local on option before the file got locked of course.
• handle.exe: Download from Sysinternals. You can acquire Handle.exe with the following WinGet command:

winget install Microsoft.Sysinternals.Handle

• Run handle.exe <filename> to list processes using the file.