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Replace a file in use by another user

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7 replies

by haarsaker

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As server administrator I update a virusdefinition file automatic several time each day from an external server - replacing the old file on the server (a combination of batch-file / FTP-command).
However - sometimes the existing file is in use by an other user - who has started his/hers own updating and then left his computer (and task) in the middle of the process avaiting user input.
Therefore the file is in use - and my automatic task is aborted.
Is there a way around this ?
Is there a way to automaticly "free" the file from its lock - from inside my batch-file running the download/updating.
Regards Geir

7 replies

by darry

Right now I am working on a AV project for my enterprise. Can you let me know which AV software you are using McAfee / Norton or some other sftw.

Darry

by alpha-male

Try this:

Go to the start menu and select run. Enter winfile. Navigate to the file that you want to unlock. Select the file and go to the file menu to properties. Click on the button that says "open by" this will tell you who has locks on the file. You can free the lock from there and then replace the file.

Hope this helps!

by bkinsey1

Server Manager in the Domain Admin tools will also let you view and close connections to individual files. But that doesn't really answer the question of having your batch file do it automatically.

What I'd probably suggest is approaching it from the standpoint of the users who are leaving their update processes hanging. Depending on the AV software you're using, shouldn't you be able to set all your client machines to update automatically, without any user intervention needed? Then theprocess doesn't set there waiting, and your definition files aren't locked.

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