Finding open files on a Windows SBS server

If you need to find files open on a Small Business Server (SBS) system, e.g., perhaps files have been opened on the server from other computers in the windows domain, you can do so by taking the following steps:
  1. Click on Start
  2. Select Administrative Tools then select Computer Management and then, under Sytem Tools, click on Shared Folders

    Shared Folders

  3. Double-click on Open Files. You will then see the files open on the server from other systems. You will see the files being accessed, who is accessing them, the locks, if any, and the mode in which it files have been accessed, e.g., whether they are open only for reading or whether they are open in read and write mode. Right-clicking on a file will give you the ability to close the open file.

    Open Files

If you wish to close an open file, you can right-click on the file and choose Close Open File.

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Close Open File

Alternatively you can issue the openfiles command at a command prompt to see information on open files.

C:\>openfiles

INFO: The system global flag 'maintain objects list' needs
      to be enabled to see local opened files.
      See Openfiles /? for more information.


Files opened remotely via local share points:
---------------------------------------------

ID       Accessed By          Type       Open File (Path\executable)
======== ==================== ========== =====================================
75818    JERRY                Windows    D:\..\Bridges Pictures
76096    PAMELA               Windows    D:\.. Shores 7.13.15 to do list.docx
76205    JERRY                Windows    D:\..\Bridges Pictures\100_0417.JPG

C:\>

You can obtain help information on the command by issuing the command openfiles /? at a command prompt.

C:\>openfiles /?

OPENFILES /parameter [arguments]

Description:
    Enables an administrator to list or disconnect files and folders
    that have been opened on a system.

Parameter List:
    /Disconnect      Disconnects one or more open files.

    /Query           Displays files opened locally or from shared
                     folders.

    /Local           Enables / Disables the display of local open files.

    /?               Displays this help message.

Examples:
    OPENFILES /Disconnect /?
    OPENFILES /Query /?
    OPENFILES /Local /?

C:\>

You can also see the information on open files with openfiles /query .

C:\>openfiles /query

INFO: The system global flag 'maintain objects list' needs
      to be enabled to see local opened files.
      See Openfiles /? for more information.


Files opened remotely via local share points:
---------------------------------------------

ID       Accessed By          Type       Open File (Path\executable)
======== ==================== ========== =====================================
76096    PAMELA               Windows    D:\.. Shores 7.13.15 to do list.docx
76237    JERRY                Windows    D:\..\Bridges Pictures
76269    JERRY                Windows    D:\..\Bridges Pictures\100_0366.JPG


C:\>

You can view additional help information for the /query parameter with openfiles /query /?.

>openfiles /query /?

OPENFILES /Query  [/S system [/U username [/P [password]]]]
                  [/FO format] [/NH] [/V]

Description:
    Enables an administrator to display a list of files and folders
    that have been remotely opened on a system.

Parameter List:
    /S      system         Specifies the remote system to connect to.

    /U      [domain\]user  Specifies the user context under which
                           the command should execute.

    /P      [password]     Specifies the password for the given user
                           context.

    /FO     format         Specifies the format in which the output is
                           to be displayed.
                           Valid values: "TABLE","LIST","CSV".

    /NH                    Specifies that the "Column Header" should
                           not be displayed.
                           Valid only for "TABLE" and "CSV" formats.

    /V                     Specifies that verbose output is displayed

    /?                     Displays this help message.

Examples:
   OPENFILES /Query /?
   OPENFILES /Query
   OPENFILES /Query /FO csv /NH
   OPENFILES /Query /FO LIST /V
   OPENFILES /Query /S system /U username /P password /NH

C:\>

Using /query /v will display verbose output as shown below, which shows files open on the server ANGE by the user Joanie for both reading and writing.

C:\>openfiles /query /v

INFO: The system global flag 'maintain objects list' needs
      to be enabled to see local opened files.
      See Openfiles /? for more information.


Files opened remotely via local share points:
---------------------------------------------

Hostname        ID       Accessed By          Type       #Locks     Open Mode
    Open File (Path\executable)

=============== ======== ==================== ========== ========== ============
=== ============================================================================
====
ANGE            53011    JOANIE               Windows    0          Write + Read
    D:\ACCI\Workbook.xlsx
ANGE            53020    JOANIE               Windows    0          Write + Read
    D:\ACCI\~$Workbook.xlsx

C:\>