Forum Discussion
ERROR: Being used by another process
My files every now and they pop up with the error:
"the file XXXX' is being used by another process or you do not have the proper security permissions to access this resource"
Our IT Dept spent and hour last time trying to figure out how to open it and still that wasnt an ideal solution. Anyone know how to hard reset Storyline?
With all due respect Lauren, I wouldn't say that you solved the issue with your customer, you used a workaround. This issue continues to occur with us and creating loads of copies of our working files does not seem like a practical solution.
As for having elements open in other programs - I see no reason why this should have an effect. I do all my image work in Photoshop, save a png and import it into Storyline. How is that linked in any way?
Yes, since Storyline insists on importing/embedding everything instead of linking anything (one of the many reasons this app is a pain in the buttocks) this shouldn't be a problem.
Hi Stephanie,
Sorry to hear you've been coming across this error for weeks now! I've opened a case on your behalf with our support engineers where you'll hear from someone on the team soon. They'll do everything they can to determine what's causing that error to come up.
Be on the lookout for a response!
Hi Calamity Jane. So sorry you see that error!
Are the files saved to your local hard drive (typically your C: drive), or are they on a network drive? If they're saved locally, here are a few approaches for us to take:
- Make a copy of an affected .story file, then change the name of it. Are you able to open the copy?
- If that doesn't help, a simple repair of Storyline 360 should help.
If you're still getting stuck, please let us know! With your permission, we can look at your .story file and will delete it once we nail down the culprit. If that works for you, you can share the file privately with our Support team here.
Ever since I updated SL360 the other day, when I open any file, I get an alert (see attached screenshot) saying the file "is being used by another process or you do not have the proper security permission to access this resource. Make a copy of your project file, then try to open the new file." Making and opening a copy works but that is, obviously, a pain in the ashphalt having to do it each time. I there a repair coming so we don't have to do that?
Hi Murl!
I understand how that would be a pain when there are multiple project files! Are you saving the files to an external server? If so, you'll want to make sure that you're copying the files to your local drive and opening them from there.
This error message will appear if there are multiple copies with the same name.
One way that I stay ahead of this is by naming my files each time I open/edit. For example, if I opened a course today and made edits then I would save it as "SampleCourse 1.29.2020". It also helps me easily find the most updated version.
I am getting this problem a lot for the past few weeks. I am saving to the hard drive. I have repeatedly uninstalled and reinstalled Storyline. The issue continues. Is anyone else having this problem? Is there a fix coming?
Hi Anne,
I opened a Support case for you so that you can work one on one with our engineers to get to the bottom of this! Keep an eye out for an email from Support@articulate.com for next steps.
Sorry for all the trouble, but we'll figure it out!
Hi Ashley,
Thank you. Your support rep has been very helpful. It looks like in my
case the other process is endpoint security software which is interacting
with the file. Unfortunately I don't think there's any way to avoid this
error popping up, and I'm still trying to figure out the best workaround.
However, Storyline does seem to always save the file despite the error
message, into a file with a new name. There does not seem to be any data
loss.Thanks,
Anne
Hello, Anne. Glad Eric could help, and that your hard work is safe!
Appreciate you also circling back to these related discussions: here and here. I'm certain your update re: checking automated backup programs as well as file sharing programs will help folks who run into a similar issue.
If there's anything else we can help answer, we're here!
Hi Katie,
Unfortunately I am running into this problem once again--Also, I did check with our IT dept and they said I don't have any kind of automated backup running. Right now, almost every time I try to save I get the error message.
Thanks,
Anne
By chance are you running file syncing software? I've seen problems like that with that when saving large course files.
Hi Gerry,
I asked our IT dept and they said I am not running file syncing software…but who knows maybe that is incorrect.
Is there any workaround for this? No other software I use has this issue.
Thanks,
AnneI am having the same problem as people on this board but I was running file syncing software. Do you have a suggested fix for that?
I've only seen this message a couple of times. But I can't remember what I doing before that.
When I have gotten that message, a simple reboot worked for me.
I do see something similar when I've published a course to web or LMS and am previewing it in FireFox. I leave that version of the course open in the browser and then go back to editing in SL 360. Forgetting I have the previous version still open in the browser, I then publish again and this message comes up:
I then close the previous version of the course open in FireFox and then try republishing. No error message then.
Thanks! That is not exactly the message I get, but I am going to try restarting and also re-installing Storyline.
I also saw a not about the .NET Framework so I am looking into that as well.
Anne,
I had a few issues with my Articulate software and I had to have our IT make some modifications to get everything to either work properly or install updates properly. They always tell me I'm a unique case since I'm the only one in our system that uses it.
We have Sophos security and also an AppLocker. They've had to whitelist Articulate folder with a wildcard so it would run no matter if it was in Articulate\360 or Articulate\360\Studio, etc.
They also had to change my Group Policy to allow it to run in my %OSDRIVE%\USERS\Your username\APPDATA\LOCAL\TEMP\
Mike
