Adobe Illustrator - The file is locked or in use. ID: -54

[StevenTP]

Hello,

I am getting the following error: 

I will work on a file and save it. And when I try to re-open the file I will get this error. I am saving my files on a server. Also I do not want to keep moving my file from the server to the desktop and back to the server everytime.

[Kevin Stohlmeyer · Accepted solution]

Stop accessing files on a server. Drag them to your local HD and you wont have this issue. Then save and drag them back.

This is a common issue with remote drives/servers. The OS is not refreshing fast enough and thinks the file is still in use by either the OS (file previews, etc) or another application.

Officially Adobe does not support saving across network/remote servers/drives:

https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/kb/networks-removable-media-photoshop.html

[Devyn29439268rpyn]

is there a way to unlock it? I'm having the same problem right now and have designs for my clothing brand I can't access now.

[Kevin Stohlmeyer]

@Devyn29439268rpyn where are the files located? If on a server, external or synced location - you'll need to drag to local to edit.

[Irene29646099xlwk]

I'm having the same issue.  I saved them to my desktop and still says "file is locked or in use"

[olgad65073034]

How could this ever be marked as 'Correct answer' while it is utterly not!

1) not even a single comment on - if the aswer would be correct, which it is not - only being able to use illustrator in a 1999-way using local storage only.

2) "This is a common issue with remote drives/servers. ...". Where's the factual proof that this is the case in 2023? I've been using Illustrator with a NAS for a decade now and never experienced this so called 'common issue'.

3) the linked artical is about PHOTOSHOP not ILLUSTRATOR. I searched for Illustrator in this article: no match at all

[Ton Frederiks]

Here is the help article for Illustrator:

https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/kb/illustrator-support-networks-removable-media.html

[olgad65073034]

Thank you for pointing to the correct article. This supports my remark about an incorrect answer being marked as correct. In addition, how could "Stop accessing files on a server" ever be marked as a correct answer, when Adobe states in the article you mention: "Illustrator supports working across networks and from removable media".

[Monika Gause]

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@olgad65073034  schrieb:

Thank you for pointing to the correct article. This supports my remark about an incorrect answer being marked as correct. In addition, how could "Stop accessing files on a server" ever be marked as a correct answer, when Adobe states in the article you mention: "Illustrator supports working across networks and from removable media".

---

You have to continue reading the part that starts with "However".

[olgad65073034]

Do not try to outsmart me. I find that very rude of you. I'll  quote again for you then, because although you're  a 'community expert', you seem to overlook the essence of the wrong answer given above. Where in the linked Illustrator article does Adobe state or confirm: "Stop accessing files on a server"? And so, is the given answer above correct or incorrect?

I would appreciate some 'community expert' giving a direct and honest answer to my question instead of diverting from the fact that the answer is incorrectly marked as 'correct'. In itself it is no problem at all a wrong answer is given. The problem is not willing to admit it.

[StevenTP]

Hi, what helped me with this issue was turning off "Icon Preview" and "Preview Column" in Finder. With these settings turned on the File is still being used even after closing the file.

[Kevin Stohlmeyer]

Hi @olgad65073034 I authored the answer and stand by it 100%. The OP was using a Mac to access a Windows server which is always a recipe for disaster. It's been noted here and in many other forums/support pages that with the newer Mac OS there are numerous extraneous factors that cause issues read/write accessing files across a network server.

[Kevin Stohlmeyer]

@olgad65073034 you also ignore the post given by an Adobe employee in this thread where they state "As pointed out by Kevin, there can be various factors involved when accessing files directly from a network drive in Illustrator, and it is not recommended. I would suggest working on your files from a local hard drive in Illustrator and then manually backing them up to the network/removable media."

[Kevin Stohlmeyer]

@olgad65073034 Also your arugement focuses on one statement in this page https://helpx.adobe.com/in/illustrator/kb/illustrator-support-networks-removable-media.html  where the rest of the page continues to explain why you have may have issues connecting directly to a server which I explained in my answer. In my 30+ years experience in IT and managing Macs and Windows servers, there has never been a situation where a Mac has not had r/w issues directly from an application to a windows server. 

[olgad65073034]

Hi kevin stohlmeyer,

Thank you for your explanation. I still think your initial answer should have been different, but with the additional information you provided I now better understand what you mean.

[Monika Gause]

The problem is not willing to admit it.

By @olgad65073034

Just because it is working for you does not mean it's working for everyone. It's also working for me, but still I would not advise doing it. With files you just DO NOT take chances. You are happy that it (currently) is working for you, but DO NOT advertise it.

In this forum we are seeing it NOT WORKING for people all the time. And they lose files. 

You know what I find rude: giving bad advise.

[olgad65073034]

So, now you start to yell at me (in caps) too?! That just confirms how rude you are. I never said it is/should be working for everyone. You're turning it around. And please show me: where did I give a bad advise?

[Kevin Stohlmeyer]

@olgad65073034 I'm locking this conversation as there is no futher positive contribution to the original post, but not before I point out - you specifically came on this thread to state "How could this ever be marked as 'Correct answer' while it is utterly not!" which is not true. My answer is correct in the context of the original issue stated in this post. That is bad advise.

[Anubhav M]

Hello @StevenTP,

Sorry to hear about this experience. As pointed out by Kevin, there can be various factors involved when accessing files directly from a network drive in Illustrator, and it is not recommended. I would suggest working on your files from a local hard drive in Illustrator and then manually backing them up to the network/removable media. You may learn more about this here: https://helpx.adobe.com/in/illustrator/kb/illustrator-support-networks-removable-media.html.

Kindly update this thread if you need further assistance. We'd be happy to help.

Thanks,

Anubhav

[Devyn29439268rpyn]

hey i need some support

[Anubhav M]

Hello @Devyn29439268rpyn,

Thanks for reaching out. Would you mind confirming if your files are located on an external/network drive or a cloud-synced folder (Dropbox/Google Drive/OneDrive etc.)? If yes, kindly try moving the files to a local folder location, like the desktop, as suggested by Kevin, and check if it helps.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Thanks,

Anubhav

[Irene29646099xlwk]

Hi Anubhav,

I'm getting the same error message after downloading to my desktop.  I can download them, but just can't open them.  Can you think of any other reason or how to get around it?

[Anubhav M]

Hello @Irene29646099xlwk,

Would you mind sharing some more details, like the exact version of the OS/Illustrator, system config (CPU/GPU/Memory), a sample file (https://community.adobe.com/t5/illustrator-discussions/share-your-files-in-6-simple-steps/td-p/12967...), and a screen recording of the problem (https://community.adobe.com/t5/illustrator-discussions/screen-record-an-issue-on-windows-amp-macos-f...), so we can investigate this further?

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Thanks,

Anubhav

[Kevin Stohlmeyer]

Hi @Irene29646099xlwk quick follow up - where were these stored before you downloaded them?

[defaultu1lmpz1xn0zb]

Same issue here on a M1 macbook. Newly downloaded file and get the same message. Tried duplicating and that doesn't work either.

Illustrator 2023