DOCUMENT:Q228930 31-MAY-2002 [winnt] TITLE :How to Replace Currently Locked Files with Inuse.exe PRODUCT :Microsoft Windows NT PROD/VER::2000,4.0 OPER/SYS: KEYWORDS:kbfaq ====================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The information in this article applies to: - Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0, on platform(s): - the hardware: Intel x86 - Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 4.0, on platform(s): - the hardware: Intel x86 - Microsoft Windows NT Server, Enterprise Edition version 4.0, on platform(s): - the hardware: Intel x86 - Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional - Microsoft Windows 2000 Server - Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY ======= Inuse.exe provides individuals and administrators with "on-the-fly" capability to replace files that are currenly in use by the operating system. Although this behavior is generally accomplished by running a program's setup program or a service pack's upgrade program, the setup and upgrade process tends to replace multiple files. However, for troubleshooting purposes, you may need to replace an individual file on your computer versus an entire set of files. The Inuse program provides this level of administrative flexibility. You can obtain InUse from the following Microsoft Web site: http://download.microsoft.com/download/winntsrv40/Utility/1.3/NT4/EN-US/inuse.exe Disclaimer ---------- Please understand that this is an unsupported utility and typical safeguards should be taken when using the utility, such as ensuring that you have a copy of the DLL from the original installation source. This is "use at your own risk" and support for the utility is not available from Microsoft at this time. MORE INFORMATION ================ InUse is a Win32-based command-line utility that can be used by and within automated tasks, scripts, or other programs. Syntax ------ c:\inuse.exe /? InUse - version 1.3 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright (c) 1994-1999 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved Replaces files that are currently locked by the OS INUSE source destination [/y] source Specifies the updated file destination Specifies the existing file to be replaced /y Suppresses confirmation prompt to replace file /? Displays syntax help Source and destination must include the complete physical or UNC pathname In Windows 2000 the version of the Inuse.exe program is 1.4. The tool works the same way but the Help window has changed slightly. Instead of source they use the term replacement. Comments -------- The destination is the currently locked file that you want to replace on the local drive. Please note that after you commit INUSE to replace a file, you cannot run it again to reverse the transaction. This may be considered in a newer version. Examples -------- Basic operation of INUSE is quite simple; just tell it the file you want to replace and where it's updated replacement is located. It also has an additional parameter that allows the supression of the actual copy comfirmation. This may be useful if you intend to use INUSE as part of some automated processes. The following examples shows simulated INUSE output as well as its operation in both a local and also a network-based file replacement scenario. Example 1: Promptless Install: c:\tools\inuse.exe \\server\updates\prodmod.dll c:\program files\prodsys\prodmod.dll /y InUse - version 1.3 ---------------------------------------------------------- InUse is about to replace the following file Existing: c:\program files\prodsys\prodmod.dll Version: 1.31 Replacement: \\server\updates\prodmod.dll Version: 1.34 \\server\updates\prodmod.dll is replacing --> c:\program files\prodsys\prodmod.dll Changes do not take affect until you reboot
Example 2: Prompted Install: c:\tools\inuse.exe \\server\updates\prodmod.dll c:\program files\prodsys\prodmod.dll InUse - version 1.3 ---------------------------------------------------------- InUse is about to replace the following file Existing: c:\program files\prodsys\prodmod.dll Version: 1.31 Replacement: \\server\updates\prodmod.dll Version: 1.34 Do you want to continue?(y/n) \\server\updates\prodmod.dll is replacing --> c:\program files\prodsys\prodmod.dll Changes will not take affect until you reboot You will notice the only difference with the examples is the fact the user will be prompted to confirm or cancel the operation on the latter. Example 3: Batch Operation: The following example represents how an administrator can nest multiple updates in a single script: batch.cmd @echo off inuse test.dll c:\winnt\system32\test.dll /y inuse test2.dll c:\winnt\system32\test2.dll /y inuse test3.dll c:\winnt\system32\test3.dll /y Note that this executable actually does an edit to the registry to perform a "PendingFileRenameOperations" on the next reboot. REFERENCES ========== For more information about the InUse utility, see the following Microsoft TechNet article: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/columns/inside/6-7-99.asp Additional query words: ntsetup update install setup service pack ====================================================================== Keywords : kbfaq Technology : kbWinNTsearch kbWinNTSsearch Version : :2000,4.0 Hardware : x86 Issue type : kbinfo ============================================================================= THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY. Copyright Microsoft Corporation 2002.