Suddenly can't save AI files after manually uploading backup to OneDrive

[Jennifer5EEE]

I don't sync to OneDrive automatically, I manually upload my files via browser (copying them for backup). I frequently upload the current file of an Illustrator project while I'm working on it. Then I continue in Illustrator as normal, working and saving more, uploading again periodically, without any issue. This has worked fine for several years. Suddenly the last few days, after I manually upload the current file to OneDrive, I can no longer save any future changes in Illustrator. I get the warning "The file may be read-only, or another user may have it open. Please save the document with a different name or in a different folder". I haven't changed anything.

This is very inconvenient. I'm hoping someone knows if this is a OneDrive or Windows issue that has just started (like there's still something tagging that file as being in use even after the upload is complete), or if it is an Adobe account or Illustrator issue. And of course I'd like to know how to fix it!

System & what I tried already:

Windows 10 PC (private, with full administrator permission account).

I tried closing the OneDrive browser tab (I access it via browser, I sign into that separately from my Windows computer account). I tried closing the Windows Library I had open where the file is located. I tried disconnecting my VPN. I tried closing the file in Illustrator then opening it again. I tried closing Illustrator itself and starting it again and opening the file again, then tried saving changes. None of those made any difference. I restarted my computer, signed out of OneDrive and logged back in, opened Illustrator, opened a file, made a change, finally it saved fine, but then after uploading to OneDrive, again I can no longer save in Illustrator. The files in question are located on my PC's hard drive. Again, I haven't changed anything. The only thing I can do now is save it with a different file name after every time I've uploaded to OneDrive. To save confusion, I delete the original file and rename the current file what it should be named. Then work on that file more until I upload a backup to OneDrive again, and repeat the process. Ugh!

[Monika Gause]

Illustrator just doesn't like working on remote drives.

It's best to work on your harddrive. Then save the file, then copy it to the remote drive. Same thing for opening a file: first fetch it from the remote drive, then open.

[Jennifer5EEE]

Thanks for your response. I only work from the files on my hard drive, I merely back them up to OneDrive as insurance. I did finally discover that if I wait long enough, the file will save again, but the delay is new and problematic.

[Brad @ Roaring Mouse]

Has something changed with your internet situation recently? Of course, this is all depending on your internet speeds, particularly upload speed, which, unless you have a fibre connection, can be a fraction of your download speed. And, since you're uploading using the browser method, this slowness can "occupy" the file longer than you'd think. VPNs are an added burden to that and can notoriously slow things down even more. 

In any case, I don't think using the browser method is doing you any favours. You should use the OneDrive app for this. The benefit is, dropping the file into your OneDrive folder on your computer is fast, as you are essentially making a copy of your working file locally which frees up your working file, which OneDrive now manages and then uploads, taking it's sweet time to sync the file up to the server in the background.  Yes, you will now have two copies of the file on your computer, but as long as you're not working on the one in your OneDrive folder, you shouldn't be having issues.

[Jennifer5EEE]

Interesting thoughts on this, thanks. I will keep it in mind if the problem persists, it could be a good work-around. It's not ideal, I don't need two copies of all my design files taking up space on my computer, but sounds like it would function well. My internet connection is good and my computer is connected via a fast ethernet cable. Nothing has changed and I've been working this way for several years. I watch OneDrive and don't go back to work in Illustrator until I see the upload of the backup is completed. I'm guessing this may be a Windows/Microsoft/OneDrive thing, which is no surprise (ugh). Maybe it will resolve itself eventually.

[Monika Gause]

It probably will not resolve itself. There is this issue: https://helpx.adobe.com/be_en/illustrator/kb/illustrator-support-networks-removable-media.html

This issue is kicking in for some people, but not for others. I have seen it kicked in by an obscure setting in a network switch. So you change something in your setup or it gets changed by the system and suddenly you are getting issues.