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How To Tell Who Has a SOLIDWORKS File Open

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How To Tell Who Has a SOLIDWORKS File Open

Have you ever tried to open a SOLIDWORKS file only to discover the file is already open by another user? Well, there’s an easy way to identify who has a SOLIDWORKS file open.

To determine who has a SOLIDWORKS file open, you can view the user’s name in the temporary lock file located in the same folder as the original file. This file will be named the same as the original file and include a tilde (~) and dollar sign ($) character prefix (example: ~$ACME PART.SLDPRT).

SLDPRT File

Right-click the temporary lock file and select to Open With > Notepad (or any other text viewer) to view the user’s name.

Open SOLIDWORKS File in Notepad

How to Display the Temporary Lock Files

If you do not see a temporary lock file, it may be hidden. Modify your Windows File Explorer Folder Options with these steps:

1. From the View tab, select Options.

Windows File Explorer Options

2. In the Folder Options dialog, select the View tab and turn OFF the option ‘Hide protected operating system files.’  Then, Click Apply.

Hide Protected operating system files option

3. The temporary lock file is now displayed. Right-click the temporary lock file and select to Open With > Notepad (or any other text viewer) to view the user’s name.

Open with notepad
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byRick Braine
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