operation cannot be completed because the item...is in use

Question

Level 1

120 points

operation cannot be completed because the item...is in use

I've received this message quite a lot and I obviously know what it means. However, sometimes, I can't for the life of me figure out what it is that is controlling the particular item. I was wondering if there is a program that shows you who is controlling the item?

Thanks,
Netta

Powerbook G4, Mac OS X (10.4.2)

Posted on Nov 1, 2007 3:26 PM

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Answer 1

Netta Doron Author

Level 1

120 points

Nov 3, 2007 2:36 PM in response to Carolyn Samit

Hi Carolyn,

Thanks for your response. My problem, which I guess I didn't explain all that well is not so straight forward. Sometimes I can't get rid of a file because it appears something is using it. This is after quitting all programs that could logically be using it. For windows there is a program called procexe. I was wondering if there is a mac equivalent, or something similar.

I hope this clears up what I am looking for.

-Netta

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Answer 2

joshz

Level 4

3,290 points

Nov 3, 2007 3:28 PM in response to Netta Doron

see http://www.thexlab.com/faqs/trash.html specifically http://www.thexlab.com/faqs/trash.html#Anchor-Files-37516
Good luck!

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Answer 3

Wayne T

Level 4

2,255 points

Nov 29, 2007 12:40 AM in response to Netta Doron

Netta - c.f. http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=5986224#5986224

ATB

wayne T

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Answer 4

Nov 2, 2007 12:23 AM in response to Netta Doron

Hi Netta,

Try using Force Quit. Press Command + Option + Esc. A window will open. Select the process that you need to quit, then click the Force Quit button.

Carolyn 🙂

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Answer 5

Network 23

Level 6

12,351 points

Nov 3, 2007 6:22 PM in response to Netta Doron

One thing that always works for me is logging out, and then logging back in. But of course, that means all your running apps have to quit.

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Answer 6

Netta Doron Author

Level 1

120 points

Nov 4, 2007 1:37 PM in response to joshz

Thanks...I'll definitely try this technique next time I am having this issue!

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