The process cannot access the file 'pdf' because it is being used by another process.

Question

I am using pdf file for sending email and if file exist so delete operation perform then this error generated.

Mamta M · Answer

The file is still in use somewhere so you can't delete it. So check your applications to see if any of them are using the PDF file. Also if you have opened the file somewhere in your code through a Stream or File class, ensure that it is closed, before you attempt to delete it.

Somnath Satav · Answer

Hello Dhaval, If you getting this error it means some other process using this pdf file. So thing to do 1) Check whether any other process accessing same pdf file (Any other application). 2) If not then, I think you forget to close pdf file before deleting it. E.g. On button1 click open file and on button2 click try to delete, see following code.

Dhaval Patel · Answer

Dear Mamta you are right file is using for another process than i have done at runtime file copy and save in network shared folder and file name is next id .pdf so not got any error and no process error because read file is another location and right file is network shared folder. Thanks & regards, Dhaval Patel

Dhaval Patel · Answer

Dear all I know file open so this error generate but this pdf file is send when i am sending email then report document is edit this pdf file and send email and also i am using my own PC email service so error occured otherwise do not generated error. string sFilePathTrainer = Server.MapPath("..") + "/TempHR/Training Attendence (Trainer).pdf"; myRD = new ReportDocument(); myRD.Load(Server.MapPath("..") + "/Reports/Training/rptTrainingActivity_Attendance.rpt"); myRD.ExportToDisk(ExportFormatType.PortableDocFormat, sFilePathTrainer); mySubRepDoc.Dispose(); myRD.Dispose(); Pdf file name do not change but pdf content is change as per trainer.

Ankit Shivnakr · Answer

Hi Mamta I tried same code on window application. and it's working. point is same as u said that he need to close StreamWriter obj. private void button1_Click(object sender, EventArgs e) { StreamWriter obj = new StreamWriter("C://abc.txt"); obj.WriteLine("test"); obj.Close(); // after this you can perform ur opertion } private void button2_Click(object sender, EventArgs e) { try { File.Delete("C://abc.txt"); } catch (Exception ex) { MessageBox.Show(ex.ToString()); } }

Mamta M · Answer

Ankit, You dont know for sure that he is using ASP.NET. He may be using either Winforms or ASP.NET. Your solution caters only to ASP.NET. Secondly, your solution shows a writing into a txt file and then deleting it, whereas he may be performing some other action on the PDF before deletion. So your solution may not really be feasible for him.

Ankit Shivnakr · Answer

Hi Buddy plz try this code public partial class Default32 : System.Web.UI.Page { protected void Page_Load(object sender, EventArgs e) { } protected void Button1_Click(object sender, EventArgs e) { StreamWriter obj = new StreamWriter("C://abc.txt"); obj.WriteLine("Test"); obj.Close(); obj = null; } protected void Button2_Click(object sender, EventArgs e) { try { File.Delete("C://abc.txt"); } catch (Exception ex) { Response.Write(ex); } } }

The process cannot access the file 'pdf' because it is being used by another process.

Answers (7)