Share via

Strange “locked for editing by another user” on file server

Roger Rüegg 1 Reputation point
2021-05-04T07:46:18.683+00:00

Good morning

Sometimes we are experiencing a strange effect on our file servers and all the usual/known reasons cannot explain it:

If a user tries to open a file (word or excel) he's getting the well know message saying the file is “locked for editing by 'user XYZ'” -> the user who is allegedly "locking" the files (user XYZ) is always the same one and it's a simple domain user, no domain admin or such.

Furthermore: "user XYZ" has never opened these files, since, according to the ACLs, he's not allowed to do so. He has no rights on the affected files.

What we've already done / checked:

  • It's not the temporary ownership file “~$myfile.doc”
  • No one, with the exception oft the person who's trying to open it legitimately, has opend the file -> we've all file audit policies enabled, no according entries in the event logs

I guess, theres something wrong with the AD user "user XYZ", since he seems to be the only affected user. But what ?

All Servers are Windows Server 2016 Standard

Any ideas ?

Thanks in advance - Roger

Windows for business | Windows Server | User experience | Other

1 answer

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2021-05-05T08:54:46.48+00:00

    Hello @Roger Rüegg

    Please check if this thread helps.

    According to here:
    This behavior may occur if Word determines that the owner file for the document already exists.
    This may occur if one or more of the following conditions are true:
    Word previously quit improperly and, therefore, did not delete the owner file.
    -or-
    A second instance of Word is running in the background with the document already open.
    -or-
    The document is shared over a network, and another user has it open.

    7 Ways To Fix Excel File Is Locked For Editing By Another User Issue

    Best Regards
    Karlie

    ----------

    If the Answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and upvote it.

    Was this answer helpful?

Your answer

Answers can be marked as 'Accepted' by the question author and 'Recommended' by moderators, which helps users know the answer solved the author's problem.