Error: "File is locked by another user. Would you like to open a read-only copy of this file?"

Applies to:

  • Revu 20

Problem

When attempting to open a PDF file, an error says:

Error Opening File: "File is locked by another user. Would you like to open a read-only copy of this file?"

Cause

This happens when Windows doesn't have a built-in PDF viewer for displaying files in the preview pane. Instead, Windows uses a third-party PDF viewer to mark the file as locked, or in use.

Solutions

Change the default PDF viewer

Revu includes a PDF previewer for Windows File Explorer that doesn't mark files as in use. The PDF previewer is activated when Revu is set as the default PDF viewer in Windows. To set Revu as the default PDF viewer, follow Microsoft's instructions.

Edit your Revu preferences

You can also edit your Revu Preferences:

  1. Go to Revu > Preferences.
  2. Select General from the left-hand menu.
  3. Select the Document tab.
  4. Clear the checkbox for Prompt user if file is locked.
  5. Select OK.
If you're previewing the file within the Windows preview pane, you may not be able to save it in Revu. You may see this error: "The document could not be published. The process cannot access the file because it is in use by another process." You can select a different file in the file Explorer or close Explorer, and try saving the document you were originally working with.

Files stored on a server

If this error appears when opening a file stored on a server, it's possible that another user has the same document open. Some network processes, such as backup or synchronization utilities, may also mark files as in use.

Troubleshooting

Error Message

Studio

Revu 20