Who does not want to perform college, office and school work fast? We know you want to do it as soon as possible. But you use technology to perform work, and there is a possibility that some issues may pop up when you perform your school duties on the laptop. And one such error that many users have reported is the requested resource is in use. When this occurs, you will not be able to access a particular file. If you are facing the same problem, then you are at the right place because here we will be telling you how to troubleshoot the requested resource is in use in Windows 10, Windows 7 and other versions.
How to Fix The Requested Resource Is In Use Error
Before we begin with troubleshooting, let us discuss what this error mean. After that, we will start with troubleshooting to fix the requested resource is in use in Windows 11. So please keep reading to learn about it.
What Does the Requested Resource Is In Use Mean?
If you are wondering what does the requested resource is in use mean, it can be related to:
- Difficulties in copying a file or folder, particularly Windows files.
- Difficulty in accessing files.
Now that you know what does the requested resource is in use mean, let us move on to the troubleshooting methods. Below we have mentioned the most effective methods that will help you in fixing the error.
Method 1: Close File
If the file is opened somewhere, you will not be able to copy it elsewhere. So, the easiest method to fix the error is to close the file you want to copy or access.
Method 2: Restart PC
The requested resource is in use in Windows 7 can occur because of temporary glitches in your system. You can restart your PC to get rid of these temporary glitches on your computer. Use these steps to restart the PC:
1. Press the Windows key.
2. Now, click on the Power icon and select Restart.
Method 3: Disable Preview Pane
You can view a thumbnail of an image or document contents and a detailed summary of the file metadata in the Preview pane of a Finder window. It is helpful in verifying information such as the creation date of a document, the type of camera or lens model used for a photo, and more. But sometimes, it can lead to error, and you may see the requested resource is in use in Windows 11. To disable the preview pane on your laptop, perform the following steps:
Note: The following steps were performed on Windows 11
1. Press the Windows key.
2. Type File Explorer in the search box and click on Open.
3. Click on the View option.
4. Here, click on Show and uncheck Preview pane to disable Preview Pane.
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Method 4: Run Virus Scan
You can perform a manual scan if you think that some particular file or application is creating the trouble. To learn how do I run a virus scan on my Windows 7 then refer to our guide. You need to follow the same methods on Windows 10, but when you perform it on Windows 11, you will have to click on Privacy & Security instead of Update & Security.
Method 5: Turn Off Real-time Antivirus Protection
One of the initial causes of an error for a file you wish to transfer or copy may be antivirus software. As data are processed, antivirus maintains an eye on their security. And if it takes longer for it to scan, then the requested resource is in use in Windows 10 may pop up. You can refer to our guide to learn how to disable antivirus temporarily on Windows 10. You need to perform the same methods to disable Antivirus on Windows 7 and 11. Even after attempting this method error remains, then you can try the next method.
Method 6: Fix File System Error
File system errors can prevent you from accessing the file and cause the requested resource is in use in Windows 7. So, another method that can help in resolving the error is to fix the file system error. To perform the same, follow the steps given below:
1. In the Windows search bar, type File Explorer and click on Open.
2. Now, click on This PC. After that, right-click on Windows (C:) and select Properties.
3. Click on the Tools tab and select Check.
A file system scan will be performed, and if any issues are found, they will be automatically fixed.
Method 7: Change Ownership of File
If the file you want to access or copy is owned by someone else, this error may occur. So, here are the methods that will help you in changing the ownership:
1. First, right-click on the file that is causing the error and select Properties.
2. Now, navigate to the Security tab and choose a user under Group or user names.
3. Select the Edit option. Once you choose Edit, a new Security Window will open up.
4. In the Security Window, select a particular user account.
5. Now, check all the permissions under Permissions for Authenticated Users for the selected user.
6. Finally, select OK.
Method 8: Update Windows
Another easy method to fix the error is to update your PC. Refer to our guide on how to Update Windows 10. Since Windows 7 and 10 have little difference so you can update Windows. If you have Windows 11, then you can read our article on how to download and install Windows 11 Updates. Windows 7 can be updated by following these simple steps to solve the requested resource is in use in Windows 7 issue.
1. First, select Start and then click on Control Panel.
2. Now, click on System and Security.
3. Choose Windows Update.
4. Here, select either important updates or optional updates.
5. Choose the Download Center link, type the update number in Search box and press Enter.
6. Select Security Update for Windows 7.
7. Click on Download.
8. Select Open to install the file.
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Method 9: Uninstall Data Backup Program
Backup programs that run in the background help in restoring and saving files for later use. But such backup programs can cause trouble in copying a file to or from an external device. So, if you are copying a file to or from an external device, then you need to uninstall the backup program by following the steps listed below:
1. first, press the Windows + R keys simultaneously to open the Run dialog box.
2. Now, type appwiz.cpl in the dialog box and click on OK.
3. Here, locate the Microsoft OneDrive and right-click on it.
4. After that, click on Uninstall.
5. Once it is uninstalled, restart the PC.
Also Read: Fix Office 365 The Filename is Invalid When Saving Error
Method 10: Delete Broken Entries in Registry
The Windows Registry is a database that stores all of the low-level Windows and Application settings, such as device drivers, user interface, file routes, start menu shortcuts, etc. In general, these registries are not deleted by your system. Hence, over time all the broken registry also gets accumulated in your computer. And these broken registries affect the performance of your laptop. So, you need to delete these registries. But before you delete the broken registries, you should back up and restore the registry. To learn how to back up and restore the registry on Windows, read our guide. Once you have restored the registry you can delete the broken entries by reading our article on how to delete broken entries in the Windows registry.
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We hope this article was helpful and you were able to fix the requested resource is in use error. If you still have questions, feel free to ask them in the comment section below. Also, let us know what you want to learn next.
