How to close an open file that is showing containing the file that I am trying to open.

Question

How to close an open file that is showing containing the file that I am trying to open.

David Smith 0

I cannot access a file on my laptop. When is try to open it I get a warning that the file I am trying to open is showing open already in another file and needs to be closed.

I am 80 years old and not computer literate, I have no idea how to find this open file and when found how to close it.

File I am trying to open on my machine is Model Railway (M)

the file which is open is HTTPS://d.docs.live.net/56c787.f160

Help?

0 comments

1 answer

Your answer

Answer 1

Ian-T 12,825 Microsoft External Staff Moderator

Hello @David Smith

The d.docs.live.net address is part of OneDrive. It does not necessarily mean that another visible file is open. Sometimes Word or Excel remains open in the background, or OneDrive has not yet released the file.

Please try this simple step first:

Save any other work you have open.
Select the Start button.
Select Power, then Restart.
After the computer starts again, wait a minute and try opening Model Railway (M) from your normal OneDrive folder.

Restarting the computer should close any hidden copy of the file and release the lock.

If the warning still appears, please reply and tell us whether Model Railway (M) is a Word document, Excel spreadsheet, or folder. I can then guide you through the next step carefully.

Thank you and hope to hear from you soon

David Smith 0 Reputation points

2026-09-29T07:58:36.3233333+00:00

The file is excel spreadheet
Ian-T 12,825 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-09-29T23:49:19.1066667+00:00
Thank you for confirming that Model Railway (M) is an Excel spreadsheet.

Since restarting the laptop did not release the file, please check whether the spreadsheet might also be open on another computer, tablet, or phone that uses your OneDrive account. If so, close it there, then wait a few minutes before trying again. Microsoft notes that Excel may keep a workbook locked if it is open on another device or if the previous session did not close correctly.

If you do not use another device, please try opening it through OneDrive:

Open your internet browser.

Go to OneDrive.com and sign in.

Find Model Railway (M).

Select the file once to open it in Excel for the web.

Excel spreadsheets stored in OneDrive can be opened directly in the browser.