What does "locked for Shared Use" mean, exactly?

Anonymous
2018-01-25T16:34:28+00:00

I've got a file in a SharePoint library that I'm trying to move to a new folder in the same library. But no matter how I try to move it, I get a message that "this file is locked for shared use," by me. But I didn't do anything to lock the file.

How did it get locked, and more importantly, how do I unlock it? Properties, Details, and similar have been unhelpful, and the old turn it off and turn it on again didn't work either.

Microsoft 365 and Office | SharePoint | For business | Windows

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  1. Anonymous
    2020-01-23T00:23:11+00:00

    How many more people have to report this before Msft actually does something about it? I don't doubt there's some reasonable logic making this happen, but the true test is the end user experience which is obviously not good. I know Msft hates admitting to their mistakes but I don't think there's much choice in this case.

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  2. Anonymous
    2020-01-22T23:09:17+00:00

    I have an excel file in my One Drive that will not delete because it is "locked for shared use" by my own account. I can't figure out how to unlock or delete this 2 year old excel file that I no longer need.

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  3. Anonymous
    2020-01-15T15:10:12+00:00

    Side Notes:

    • I think this works better because in a draft state Microsoft isn't like hey you cant save this it is a major version. Then when it is approved they are like okay we have this major version and you changed one pr****f they can make another version for this little change. 

    -A possible work around for the manager issue is giving all employees Appr****ng some have to approve documents to solve this issue is unreal.

    But turn off approve/reject and this stuff is wack.

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  4. Anonymous
    2020-01-10T23:57:11+00:00

    I even saw this today when I tried to change meta data properties in quick edit mode on a file THAT ISN'T OPEN OR LOCKED ANYWHERE!! Endless frustration with this product that purports to "enhance productivity" but actually kills it.

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  5. Anonymous
    2020-01-10T01:20:04+00:00

    Totally agree - how long does Msft need to fix what is obviously a flawed  execution?

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