Replacing In Use Files

Replacing In Use Files
Last Updated: 11 Jul 2004
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*** PLEASE NOTE: Link(s), If Provided, May Be Wrapped ***


The following instructions will enable you to remove or
replace files which are currently in use by Windows:

INUSE.EXE

• INUSE .................. Resource Kit (Win2K)

• http://support.microsoft.com/?KBID=228930
• http://support.microsoft.com/?KBID=184408
• http://support.microsoft.com/?KBID=172456
• http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/psdk/buildapp/setup_66es.htm


3RD PARTY TOOLS

• MoveOnBoot ............. http://www.snapfiles.com/get/moveonboot.html


DIAGNOSTICS

To determine what service or process may be holding on to
a file, use PSFILE, NTHANDLE or PROCESS EXPLORER from the
ever useful SysInternals website, or TaskInfo, a handy
shareware utility.

• http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb545027.aspx
• http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb545027.aspx
• http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb545027.aspx
• http://www.iarsn.com/download.html

Use PSFILE to see what files are open remotely, and use
HANDLE to determine what file handles are being used by
running processes.

Unzip them as appropriate and place them into C:\UTILS

Next, open a Command Prompt (START -> RUN -> CMD) and
type the following commands exactly as they appear below:

	C:\UTILS\HANDLE  >C:\OPENFILES.INFO
	C:\UTILS\PSFILE >>C:\OPENFILES.INFO
	NOTEPAD C:\OPENFILES.INFO

This will give you a list of local and remote file handles
that will assist you (or a system admin) in getting info
about your system's open files.


WHITEPAPERS & TECH DOCUMENTS

• http://support.microsoft.com/?KBID=216368
• http://support.microsoft.com/?KBID=232830
• http://support.microsoft.com/?KBID=286198
• http://support.microsoft.com/?KBID=196453
• http://support.microsoft.com/?KBID=320081


PERSONAL NOTES

• To access remote Shared Folders in Windows 2000
  (assuming appropriate permissions):
	- Right Click on "My Computer"
	- Select "Manage"
	- Right Click on "Computer Management"
	- Select "Connect to Another Computer"
	- Select "System Tools"
	- Select "Shared Folders"

• If you determine that the file is held by any process
  other than SYSTEM, you can just stop the appropriate
  service, close the relevant app or kill the process,
  and you should gain access to the file.  If it's
  SYSTEM, then you have to reboot.