File access errors opening, renaming or saving files

  • 7007172
  • 08-Nov-2010
  • 18-Oct-2016

Environment

Novell Client for Windows 7 SP1 IR4
Windows 7 32 and 64 bit
Novell NetWare 6.5 SP8
OES2 SP2

Situation

Opening files from Windows Explorer may result in access type errors such as:
"<filename> is locked for editing by 'another user'." 

Renaming files from Windows Explorer may result in an error such as:
"This action can't be completed because the folder or a file in it is open in another program."

You may also see errors related to file access when saving files.

Resolution

In Windows Explorer, turn off the Details pane.  To do this, use the following steps:
1) Open Windows Explorer
2) Select Organize | Layout and un-check the Details pane option

Additional Information

This is a known issue that has been reported to Microsoft.  For additional information, please see  http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2018458. See also The Microsoft Excel Support Team Blog, "The Definitive 'Locked File' Post".

Additional Situation:
Opening a PPTX file on a remote file server via Explorer (with Organize|Layout|Details pane enabled),  PowerPoint 2007 reports the file as [Read-Only].
Checking Console Monitor File open/lock activity while the file is open Monitor does not show the file as in use by anyone.

To get around this problem with Explorer and PowerPoint PPTX files and the File System either disable Details pane or open the file from within PowerPoint 2007 or save as PPT.