How to find Process Locking a File or Folder in Windows [2024]

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Have you ever encountered the frustrating situation where you try to delete or move a file or folder in Windows, only to be met with an error message stating that the file is in use by another process? It can be incredibly frustrating not knowing which process is causing the lock, especially when you need to complete the task urgently. After trying several methods give in superuser, YouTube and other site I found the following method that works and is super easy.

Steps to know process locking a file or folder

  1. Press Windows key+R to open run dialogue box.
  2. Type resmon.exe and hit enter to open “Resource Monitor”.
  3. In Resource Monitor, Navigate to CPU tab > Associated Handles and place your cursor in Search Handles.
    associated handle in resource monitor
  4. Type the file/folder name for which you want to know the process locking it (in my case file name is locked_file.docx).
  5. The process locking the above will be listed as below.
    know process locking file in Windows

Summary

Using Resource Monitor, you can easily identify the process that is locking file or folder. The above blog shows how to find process and software locking a file or folder in step-by-step method.