Explanation of return code from SHFileOperation()

Question

Is there a reason SHFileOperation() returns 32?

My scenario is:

My current path is c:\foo\bar.
My file is in c:\foo
That file is going to the Recycle Bin.

This code is not listed as possible return value in here, and I don't know where to find the cause.

I am trying it on Windows 7 64-bit with MSVC 2010 Professional.

Could someone please explain where I can find the returned values documentation or some explanation for a reason of that failure?

score 1 · Accepted Answer · edited Feb 17 '23 at 22:21

1

SHFileOperation returns errors, which match to Winerror.h error values.

32 is defined as ERROR_SHARING_VIOLATION, meaning "The process cannot access the file because it is being used by another process." This means that another process accesses the file you want to change by calling SHFileOperation.

You might as well use Process Explorer's find-feature to find out, which process accesses the file you want to change.

edited Feb 17 '23 at 22:21

J. Scott Elblein

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answered Sep 12 '19 at 14:51

Norbert Willhelm

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thank you. Any idea on how to check it?Problem is I just created the file and I see it exists in the File Explorer, but I can't trash it, because of this error. I'm doing a test suite. – Igor Sep 12 '19 at 14:56
You can use Process Explorer's Find Handle or DLL functionality in order to find out what process accesses your file. – Norbert Willhelm Sep 12 '19 at 15:02
are those part of MSVC install or external apps? – Igor Sep 12 '19 at 15:11
Process Explorer belongs to Microsoft's Windows Sysinternals. – Norbert Willhelm Sep 12 '19 at 15:17

score 0 · Answer 2 · edited Feb 17 '23 at 22:22

0

From my testing (so verify yourself)

32 = File in use or perhaps file locked/protected. (Created an excel wkbk, opened, typed text, tried to delete)

2 = not found

0 = no issues

4, 8, 16 return codes seem likely

edited Feb 17 '23 at 22:22

J. Scott Elblein

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answered Sep 12 '19 at 14:40

Expert Novice

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I just found this: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/debug/system-error-codes--0-499-?redirectedfrom=MSDN – Expert Novice Sep 12 '19 at 14:44

Explanation of return code from SHFileOperation()

2 Answers2