The process cannot access the 'xml' file because it is being used by another process

Question

I want to update a file. I opened the file and then tried to write the content to it but got the exception:

The process cannot access the file because it is being used by another process.

XmlWriterSettings settings = new XmlWriterSettings();
settings.Indent = true;

XmlWriter writer = XmlWriter.Create("../../../connString.xml", settings);
writer.WriteStartDocument();
writer.WriteComment("This file is generated by the program.");
writer.WriteStartElement("ConnectionString");

if (ConnType == "SQL Server") {
   writer.WriteAttributeString("ID", "SQL Server");
   writer.WriteAttributeString("DataSource", Convert.ToString(TEServer.EditValue));
   writer.WriteAttributeString("Database", Convert.ToString(TEDatabase.EditValue));
   writer.WriteAttributeString("UserID", Convert.ToString(TEUserID.EditValue));
   writer.WriteAttributeString("Password", Convert.ToString(TEPassword.EditValue));
} else if (ConnType == "Access") {
   writer.WriteAttributeString("ID", "Access");
   writer.WriteAttributeString("DbLocation", Convert.ToString(BtnEditDBLoc.EditValue));
}

writer.WriteEndElement();
writer.WriteEndDocument();

writer.Flush();
writer.Close();

I've been looking at some sources said to be close "XmlWriter" but in my coding i have closed, with : writer.Close();

But still occurs the same error.

Is there anything that can help me, please?

Thanks.

Have you rulled out possibility of "because it is being used by another process."? — Alexei Levenkov, Jun 07 '14 at 03:52
http://stackoverflow.com/questions/379689/identify-process-using-a-file — Daniel Conde Marin, Jun 07 '14 at 04:02
I do not have a crystal ball, but your problem was most certainly caused because you where debugging, and you stopped the debugger before it reaches the writer.close() line, no?! This is an huge common case :) ! — João Pinho, Jun 07 '14 at 04:03

score 2 · Answer 1 · edited May 23 '17 at 12:05

Any of the writers (XmlWriter, FileWriter, etc.) should be wrapped in a using block so they are disposed of properly:

XmlWriterSettings settings = new XmlWriterSettings();
settings.Indent = true;
settings.CloseOutput = true; 

using (XmlWriter writer = XmlWriter.Create("../../../connString.xml", settings)) {
   writer.WriteStartDocument();
   writer.WriteComment("This file is generated by the program.");
   writer.WriteStartElement("ConnectionString");

   if (ConnType == "SQL Server") {
      writer.WriteAttributeString("ID", "SQL Server");
      writer.WriteAttributeString("DataSource", Convert.ToString(TEServer.EditValue));
      writer.WriteAttributeString("Database", Convert.ToString(TEDatabase.EditValue));
      writer.WriteAttributeString("UserID", Convert.ToString(TEUserID.EditValue));
      writer.WriteAttributeString("Password", Convert.ToString(TEPassword.EditValue));
   } else if (ConnType == "Access") {
      writer.WriteAttributeString("ID", "Access");
      writer.WriteAttributeString("DbLocation", Convert.ToString(BtnEditDBLoc.EditValue));
   }

   writer.WriteEndElement();
   writer.WriteEndDocument();

   //writer.Flush(); //Flush isn't required--handled by the using block
   //writer.Close(); //close isn't required--handled by the using block
}

I also added settings.CloseOutput = true; which may be necessary according to this SO answer

In this case, `settings.CloseOutput` will be ignored since no *Stream* or *TextWriter* object is being passed to *XmlWriter.Create()* -- passing a file path causes the internal stream being closed when *XmlWriter* is being closed. Still, i think the remark about `settings.CloseOutput` should be kept in your answer as it is a valuable reminder regarding general usage of *XmlWriter*. — , Jun 07 '14 at 05:21

score 1 · Accepted Answer · answered Jun 07 '14 at 04:30

Use using block for accessing any file from system, as accessing any file create a process in our system, and so it neva allow same file to access by two thread . So, to close or exit tht process, alws use using block in C# , using block alws free the resources u r using in your project

Thank you

The process cannot access the 'xml' file because it is being used by another process

2 Answers2