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arminz39169079
Participant
September 19, 2017
Answered

Indesign Lock File

  • September 19, 2017
  • 4 replies
  • 46042 views

Hello,

How can i delete idlk lock file (Cs6)??

      This topic has been closed for replies.
      Correct answer John Mensinger

      Locate the .idlk file (in the same directory as the locked .indd), select it, and tap the delete key. Confirm the deletion if necessary. Once the .idlk file is gone, the .indd will open.

      4 replies

      M
      Mukhlis5C90
      Participant
      February 18, 2021

      I suddenly can't open my indesign cc 2020 file and bridge is showing locked. I tried looking for the .idlk file but I can't find it?!!! Pleae help, the locked file is a book of 435 pages and very hard to re-cread again!

      T
      Test Screen Name
      Legend
      February 18, 2021

      It may be quicker to restore this from your backups than worry about why it is locked.

      K
      KarenPICK
      Participating Frequently
      September 20, 2019

      What if the file is locked but I can't find an idlk file?

      Barb Binder
      Community Expert
      Barb BinderCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      September 19, 2017

      To better understand the situation:

      The .idlk file is present when the file is open, to prohibit another person from working on the same file at the same time. Imagine if you and a co-worker both opened the same file and entered edits. Then one person saves the file. A few minutes later the second person saves the file. Whoever saved second would overwrite the first person's edits. Not a good scenario, and the .idlk file (or lock file) keeps this from happening. The file deletes itself when you close the file properly.

      If InDesign crashes, the .idlk file may linger. In that case, delete it manually as per John's first response.

      ~Barb at Rocky Mountain Training
        E
        Eccentric_contributor5CCF
        Inspiring
        March 21, 2022

        We recently upgraded to the latest version of InDesign. Ever since, many .idlk files are not deleting themselves when we close the file properly. They are lingering and sometimes we are having problems manually deleting the .idlk file as well. This is happening at least a dozen times a week with different users. It even happens to the person who originally created the file. Any idea why this is happening and how we can resolve it? 

          amaarora
          Community Manager
          amaaroraCommunity Manager
          Community Manager
          September 19, 2017

          Hi,

          Like you delete all other files?

          When you open an InDesign file it creates an idlk (indesign lock) file until you close the file. This prevents that the same file is not opened simultaneously.

          -Aman

          A
          arminz39169079Author
          Participant
          September 19, 2017

          Hi,

          Normally, the file closes automatically when I finish the program
          but i cantand the file is blocked !!

          John Mensinger
          Community Expert
          John MensingerCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
          Community Expert
          September 19, 2017

          Locate the .idlk file (in the same directory as the locked .indd), select it, and tap the delete key. Confirm the deletion if necessary. Once the .idlk file is gone, the .indd will open.

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