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Copy Locked And Open Files In Windows

Martin Brinkmann
Jan 19, 2009
Software, Windows, Windows software
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10

Locked or open files are not only problematic when trying to delete them on the computer system. They can also be problematic when a user tries to move a folder with files or single files to a different location. One extreme example would be moving the Windows folder to another hard drive to replace the old one. Windows would not allow some files to be copied to the new destination.

Shadow Copy has to be installed on the computer system but can be run afterwards from the command prompt or by opening the graphical user interface. Running the tool from the command line will still open the interface after sending the command but it will require no user interaction unless errors occur.

Shadow Copy makes use of the Microsoft's Volume Shadow service which means that this service has to be running to work with Shadow Copy. Microsoft renamed the feature in Windows Vista to Previous Versions. The service provides the means to copy any accessible file without having to worry about if the file is locked or open.

It is possible to copy the Windows folder to another location using the Shadow Copy software. Shadow Copy is compatible with Windows XP, Windows Server 2003 and Windows Vista. The software is portable as the installed files can be executed independently from the installation. (Tested after uninstalling the software)

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Comments

  1. Kumar said on June 6, 2017 at 8:10 pm
    Reply

    When copying huge files I encountered errors like The files are used by system and cannot be copied. Some errors were like File path name too long, and other frustrating errors. After searching a lot on the internet I found that GS Richcopy 360 works best and provides solution to all my problems. Some of my favorite features include long path name support which is necessary when copying huge files, copying locked files, multi threaded file transfer for fast transfer speed, pre scheduled file transfer, email notification when task is done and many more.Try it its the best till now!

  2. Sophia Jason said on May 27, 2017 at 12:08 pm
    Reply

    When copying huge files I encountered errors like The files are used by system and cannot be copied. Some errors were like File path name too long, and other frustrating errors. After searching a lot on the internet I found that GS Richcopy 360 works best and provides solution to all my problems. Some of my favorite features include long path name support which is necessary when copying huge files, copying locked files, multi threaded file transfer for fast transfer speed, pre scheduled file transfer, email notification when task is done and many more.Try it its the best till now!

  3. Emilee Rose said on May 9, 2017 at 8:33 am
    Reply

    When I was shifting all my old data from my desktop to laptop I encountered these errors saying “The action can’t be completed because the file is open in System. Close the file and try again.” and other errors also. I didn’t understood whats the problem, after searching a lot I found some files are protected and some other files are being used by the system so we can’t simply copy them. After trying a lot of other software I found that GS Richcopy works best to solve these problems and provides other extra features like long path name support which is necessary when copying huge files, copying locked files, multi threaded file transfer for fast transfer speed, pre scheduled file transfer, email notification when task is done and many more.Try it its the best till now!

  4. Aaditya Singhania said on February 13, 2017 at 9:37 pm
    Reply

    I am using a 3rd party command line GS Copy Pro since a long time. It supports VSS. It’s very robust and reliable.

    They have shared many video and example on their website to generate the dos batch script with simple GUI.

  5. Simple Simon said on July 1, 2014 at 7:39 pm
    Reply

    Just use the regular copy command from any command prompt any windows version… it’s too stupid to know the file is locked and will just go right ahead and copy it… no extended attributes or anything but it will copy it. SS

  6. Ahmed said on November 9, 2012 at 6:00 pm
    Reply

    To copy open files we use gscopy pro from gurusquad. It has always worked for us. Never had an issue. It is an easy to use command line tool works with all windows from windows 2003 to windows 2012

    http://www.gurusuqad.com and look for gscopy pro

    Good luck

  7. Steven said on November 8, 2010 at 3:52 pm
    Reply

    I’m using win XP. I’m not sure why shadowcopy wouldn’t work on the Map network and Lan backup.

    However I’ve move forward to use other software, the Microsoft NTBackup itself. Install the Client Volume Shadow Copy, avoid uncopy open file.

  8. bob said on January 19, 2009 at 8:29 pm
    Reply

    I use teracopy http://www.codesector.com/teracopy.php for transferring files. If they are locked I use unlocker http://ccollomb.free.fr/unlocker/

    I think very rarely this combination has failed for me

    I will have a look at shadowcopy though it looks useful

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