F5F Stay Refreshed Power Users Networks Is there a way to stop working on a file, delete it, or keep it out of my view?

Is there a way to stop working on a file, delete it, or keep it out of my view?

Is there a way to stop working on a file, delete it, or keep it out of my view?

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fiona12
Member
139
10-02-2026, 10:26 AM
#1
Small family business running Windows 2012 R2 on two Hyper-V drives. We have about twenty people using it, but some files won't close when someone logs off. When others try to use those same files later, things break down. Now we just copy the file to their computer every time they want it, which causes problems because the file isn't actually updated properly or there are duplicates with different changes from different people. Is there a way to automatically close all open files once or twice a day through Computer Management? Or is there another work-around so that users can edit a file even if someone else already has it locked open? Thanks for any help.
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fiona12
10-02-2026, 10:26 AM #1

Small family business running Windows 2012 R2 on two Hyper-V drives. We have about twenty people using it, but some files won't close when someone logs off. When others try to use those same files later, things break down. Now we just copy the file to their computer every time they want it, which causes problems because the file isn't actually updated properly or there are duplicates with different changes from different people. Is there a way to automatically close all open files once or twice a day through Computer Management? Or is there another work-around so that users can edit a file even if someone else already has it locked open? Thanks for any help.

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CrimsonGuard34
Member
226
10-02-2026, 11:41 AM
#2
These look like computer file types.
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CrimsonGuard34
10-02-2026, 11:41 AM #2

These look like computer file types.

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Kiweedo75
Member
52
10-03-2026, 02:25 AM
#3
Most of them are PDF files, though I still get issues with Excel and Word documents too. At times, the problem even shows up on drawings made in CADD software.
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Kiweedo75
10-03-2026, 02:25 AM #3

Most of them are PDF files, though I still get issues with Excel and Word documents too. At times, the problem even shows up on drawings made in CADD software.

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StreetHobo
Senior Member
568
10-06-2026, 07:38 PM
#4
This sounds like a problem where people don't shut down the app or finish their work properly. Is that right? Even if you could build an automatic close button, it probably won't stop anyone from making mistakes. People might forget to leave when they're done. Also, on some platforms, having several people edit one file at once is not really going to happen.
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StreetHobo
10-06-2026, 07:38 PM #4

This sounds like a problem where people don't shut down the app or finish their work properly. Is that right? Even if you could build an automatic close button, it probably won't stop anyone from making mistakes. People might forget to leave when they're done. Also, on some platforms, having several people edit one file at once is not really going to happen.

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Xp1redMilk
Junior Member
49
10-07-2026, 02:56 AM
#5
There are ways to locate and shut down open files. A script of this type usually works best, according to the guide at https://sid-500.com/2017/09/11/powershel...smb-share/. The specifics matter a lot, especially if you follow @USAFRet's advice, and someone might get upset or face trouble later. You should also make sure to have solid backups in place and prepare for file recovery. Plus, training the regular users is important, even though it can be tough on small family firms.
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Xp1redMilk
10-07-2026, 02:56 AM #5

There are ways to locate and shut down open files. A script of this type usually works best, according to the guide at https://sid-500.com/2017/09/11/powershel...smb-share/. The specifics matter a lot, especially if you follow @USAFRet's advice, and someone might get upset or face trouble later. You should also make sure to have solid backups in place and prepare for file recovery. Plus, training the regular users is important, even though it can be tough on small family firms.

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Rounyx
Posting Freak
838
10-07-2026, 07:23 AM
#6
Look, all file types mentioned by the OP except the CADD ones are exactly the kinds that can be edited at the same time using places like SharePoint Online. It's up to the OP to say if it makes sense to have real-time co-authoring where changes show up for everyone instantly as they happen, but the document will never get locked or go out of sync.
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Rounyx
10-07-2026, 07:23 AM #6

Look, all file types mentioned by the OP except the CADD ones are exactly the kinds that can be edited at the same time using places like SharePoint Online. It's up to the OP to say if it makes sense to have real-time co-authoring where changes show up for everyone instantly as they happen, but the document will never get locked or go out of sync.

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dillybop
Member
71
10-07-2026, 04:18 PM
#7
SharePoint is exactly one of those specific platforms I was talking about. But an SP instance isn't easy to handle. I work as a senior developer on a big SharePoint farm with over 130,000 users, and keeping it running takes serious effort. It would require someone full-time.
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dillybop
10-07-2026, 04:18 PM #7

SharePoint is exactly one of those specific platforms I was talking about. But an SP instance isn't easy to handle. I work as a senior developer on a big SharePoint farm with over 130,000 users, and keeping it running takes serious effort. It would require someone full-time.