The "The requested operation cannot be performed on a file with a user-mapped section open" error is a common issue that developers may encounter when working with files in Windows. The error typically occurs when a program is attempting to access or modify a file that has been locked by another process. This guide will walk you through the steps to identify the source of the problem and provide solutions to fix the error.
Table of Contents
- Close Related Applications
- Use the Sysinternals Handle Tool
- Disable Antivirus Software
- Restart the Computer
Identifying the Source of the Problem
The first step in resolving the error is to identify the process that is holding the file open. One possible way to do this is by using the Resource Monitor utility in Windows.
- Press
Ctrl + Shift + Escto open the Task Manager. - Click on the
Performancetab. - Click on the
Open Resource Monitorlink at the bottom. - In the Resource Monitor, click on the
CPUtab. - In the
Associated Handlessearch box, type the name of the file or folder that is causing the error. - The results will show you a list of processes that are currently using the file. Note the name of the process and its ID number.
Solutions to Fix the Error
Once you have identified the process that is holding the file open, you can try the following solutions to resolve the error.
Close Related Applications
If the process holding the file open is a familiar application, try closing it to see if that resolves the error. This can often be the quickest and simplest solution.
Use the Sysinternals Handle Tool
Sysinternals Handle is a command-line utility that can display information about open handles for any process in the system. You can use it to close the handle to the locked file.
- Download the Handle tool from the Microsoft website.
- Extract the contents of the zip file to a folder on your computer.
- Open a Command Prompt with administrative privileges by right-clicking on the Start button and selecting
Command Prompt (Admin). - Navigate to the folder where you extracted the Handle tool using the
cdcommand. - Run the following command, replacing
<ProcessID>with the process ID you noted down earlier:
handle.exe -c <HandleID> -p <ProcessID>
- The Handle tool will close the handle to the locked file, and you should now be able to access or modify it.
Disable Antivirus Software
In some cases, antivirus software may lock files while scanning them. If you suspect your antivirus software is causing the error, try temporarily disabling it and see if the error persists.
Restart the Computer
If none of the above solutions work, try restarting your computer. This will close all running processes and should allow you to access or modify the locked file.
FAQ
Why does this error occur?
This error occurs when a program is attempting to access or modify a file that has been locked by another process. Windows locks files to prevent data corruption or loss when multiple programs try to access the same file simultaneously.
Can I force the locked file to close?
Yes, you can use the Sysinternals Handle tool to close the handle to the locked file. However, doing so may cause data corruption or loss, so use this method with caution.
How can I prevent this error from occurring in the future?
To prevent this error, make sure to close any applications that may be using the file before attempting to access or modify it. Also, consider temporarily disabling your antivirus software if you suspect it may be causing the error.
Are there any alternative tools to the Sysinternals Handle tool?
Yes, you can use Process Explorer or LockHunter as alternatives to the Sysinternals Handle tool to find and close the handle to the locked file.
Can I resolve this error on non-Windows systems?
This guide focuses on resolving the error on Windows systems. However, similar errors can occur on other operating systems, such as Linux and macOS. To resolve the error on these systems, you may need to use different tools and methods specific to those operating systems.