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alisonj86137471
Participant
December 29, 2017
Answered

Error - Could not save the file because the file is locked in Photoshop

  • December 29, 2017
  • 31 replies
  • 226528 views

the whole message says " Could not save (file) because the file is locked, you do not have the necessary access permissions, or another program is using the file.  Use the "Properties" command in the Windows Explorer to unlock the file.

 

I have Windows 10 so have looked in the properties command of File Explorer and there is no way to unlock a file.  I have also looked at the previous forums and have had no success.  I was thinking Google Drive might have something to do with this. 

 

I'm thinking the only thing to do is to uninstall PS and reinstall (which I don't know how to do).  Unless anyone else has a bright idea.

 

Thanks a lot. 

    Correct answer alisonj86137471

    I found the answer on another thread.  It was the anti virus causing the problem.  I uninstalled Avast and now I can save.  Problem solved.

    31 replies

    Show previous replies
    A
    Anz1
    Participant
    August 2, 2020

    I just ran into this problem, and it's specifically the Ransomeware Shield. So you can disable it or add Photoshop as an "Allowed App".

      A
      Abdul Wajid
      Participant
      July 27, 2020

      You can add your photoshop application in the settings of sensitive data shield in Avast asallowed apps. This will help you to save the files and rework to save options. 

      A
      Ahmed adobewan
      Participant
      July 19, 2020

      Don't uninstall your anti virus lol. Just go to settings on your anti virus, blocked apps, and remove photoshop

      T
      teemu.ake
      Participant
      June 17, 2020

      Just to let anyone with a similar problem know: With my system the issue was not with virus protection but Creative Cloud and it's sync function. After I disabled sync from the CC app, this saving issue dissappeared.

       

      My system is Microsoft Surface Book 2 and photoshop 2020.

      Y
      Yousuf5EC7
      Participant
      November 24, 2020

      HI! how do you do that? thanks 

        T
        teemu.ake
        Participant
        November 26, 2020

        Open the Creative Cloud app. On the upper right hand side there is a cloud icon. In this menu you can find a pause syncing button. 

          G
          Gaurav Hansda
          Participant
          May 12, 2020

          Just running the photoshop as administrator solved the problem for me...

            unique15
            unique15
            Participant
            February 10, 2021

            Thanks it worked for me. I wasn't using any antivirus. 

            anton_dkei
            anton_dkei
            Participant
            October 25, 2018

            I also used Avast and have same problem. But, I'm not unistalled my avast.

            I tried to allowed apps in Ransomware Shield feature.

            1. Open Avast.

            2. Open Protection

            3. Choose Ransomware Shield

            4. Click 'Blocked/allowed apps'

            5. Allow An App

            6. Add Photoshop from directory C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop cc 2018\Photoshop.exe

            Now, my Photoshop can save and my problem solved.

              C
              chieuduong
              Participant
              December 13, 2018

              anton_dkei: Very useful! Thank U

              C
              chadw90441369
              Participant
              October 8, 2018

              I can confirm; just uninstalled Avast and everything works fine.

                O
                Orjent17523308
                Participant
                July 15, 2020

                Yeah u just help me with that!
                even in 2020 it wos a problem for me, but i just unistall the Avast and the file saved.

                Thank you

                T
                Triginal
                Participant
                August 8, 2020

                Hi guys, I have the same problem, but You think I can work without antivirus? Thank You.

                A
                alisonj86137471AuthorCorrect answer
                Participant
                January 6, 2018

                I found the answer on another thread.  It was the anti virus causing the problem.  I uninstalled Avast and now I can save.  Problem solved.

                  Z
                  ZeeshanGhori
                  Participant
                  July 30, 2020

                  Thanks! This helped.

                  Trevor.Dennis
                  Community Expert
                  Trevor.DennisCommunity Expert
                  Community Expert
                  December 29, 2017

                  I just use 'Save As' and save with a different name, then sort out the conflict later.  You can't close and restart Photoshop, because you'd lose your work! 

                  Sometimes it might not be obvious that the file is open, or being used in another application, so with Windows, we look at the hidden icons in the Task Bar.  The sort of situations that can lead to this is if you opened the image from and email application, and the email recognizes that it has changed.  Alt tabbing through active windows might find a 'Save Changes' dialogue'.   I have no idea how this works on Mac systems.

                    C
                    colcamper2
                    Participant
                    September 18, 2019
                    This worked for me. Thank you for the advice.
                    A
                    Anonymous
                    December 29, 2017

                    You could try Lockhunter. I've used it many a time to get rid of those annoying dll etc's that some software companies think we want left cluttering our hard drives with no way to remove (sans Lockhunter type programs). It'll show you what is locking it and in some cases I've had more than one culprit locking them. Hasn't failed me yet. Might be worth a try to save you having to do a re-install.

                    LockHunter is a free 64/32 bit tool to delete files blocked by any processes

                    RoseMM13135916
                    RoseMM13135916
                    Participant
                    June 5, 2021

                    Try to delete the file.  It should then tell you where you file is open.  In my case, it was my backup system running in the background.  In that case, I will shut down Carbonite while working in PS.  If I remember...

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