topic Re: Drawing Files locking while I have them open in AutoCAD Forum

Drawing Files locking while I have them open

bull504 — Tue, 23 Aug 2016 15:51:59 GMT

I've been having an ongoing issue in 2017 where I'll have a file open with full access and editing, I go to save maybe a couple hours later and I get a notification saying the file is locked and being edited by another user. I work with several guys and this mainly happens on this one big job we have where they will open the drawing as read only to retrieve information while I'm editing, but when I save it is saying they have priority even though I've had it open the whole time. I then have to save it as a new file name and rename it later when everybody is out of the drawing or risk losing everything I've drawn.

Is there a security setting I am missing here?

Thanks

Re: Drawing Files locking while I have them open

john.vellek — Tue, 23 Aug 2016 17:40:24 GMT

Hi bull504,

Since the 2000 version releases, Autodesk® software no longer controls file locking by creating lock files, such as DWK files.

File locking is controlled by the operating system. The operating system determines which files are opened and in use by the software.

So, with that said, can you describe your network? Are you using a NAS or a Windows server based network?

Can you also detail your operating system?

Re: Drawing Files locking while I have them open

bull504 — Tue, 23 Aug 2016 17:49:10 GMT

I am not sure how to determine which type of server my company has. The server the file is on looks like a 2TB drive. I believe it is stored on an external SSD but I have no idea where these drives are. OS is windows 10 upgraded within the last 4 months maybe.

Re: Drawing Files locking while I have them open

pendean — Tue, 23 Aug 2016 18:01:57 GMT

Did the problem show up about the same time you all swiched to Win10? Win10 and your files host drive/OS are not talking to each other, so the files are not getting tagged correctly
OR
in the two-hours plus you registered no activity on that drive (like not saving for 2+hours) the connection is broken and your file becomes free for others to use and your AutoCAD thinks it's gone (aka read-only).

Is anyone in your company an IT-certified person? They can help you diagnose the problem best.

Re: Drawing Files locking while I have them open

john.vellek — Tue, 23 Aug 2016 18:07:54 GMT

Hi @bull504,

It would be good to know how the disk storage is set up on your network as certain SMB configurations are known to cause some issues. I suggest you get your IT person involved to determine if there is any latency involved on the network and that file shares are configured and working properly.

Re: Drawing Files locking while I have them open

bull504 — Tue, 23 Aug 2016 18:07:54 GMT

Makes sense if it is a server side issue. You think even with autosave feature enabled in Autocad every 20 minutes the permission will "time out?" I know these autosave files (.av$) save in a temp folder and are different files like back up files its not recognizing them as activity. IDK just a thought.

We have a system admin who is pretty knowledgeable i was just hoping maybe it was something simple i could fix.

Thanks

Re: Drawing Files locking while I have them open

rtomkinson — Tue, 10 Jun 2025 19:54:28 GMT

I am having a similar issue but, somehow, I am being locked out by myself. I will get a message stating the file is locked by, followed by my username.

This happens while I am working in the file. Quite often it will hapen shortly after a save. Is there any way to fix this?

Re: Drawing Files locking while I have them open

nduimering — Thu, 23 Oct 2025 19:53:22 GMT

Hi there, were you able to find the cause of this? I have a bunch of users starting to report the same problem in our office, started in the last two weeks or so.

Re: Drawing Files locking while I have them open

pendean — Thu, 23 Oct 2025 20:15:05 GMT

@nduimering While you wait for the user, may I ask where do you all store your files and how are you all accessing your files?

Re: Drawing Files locking while I have them open

rtomkinson — Thu, 23 Oct 2025 20:22:32 GMT

Hello,

No, I haven't. It often occurs when I click the quick save icon twice fairly quickly. If I make sure to space the clicks apart, it does not seem to happen. Similar for using QS really quickly as well.

Re: Drawing Files locking while I have them open

nduimering — Thu, 23 Oct 2025 20:26:45 GMT

Hi Pendean, our files are stored on a central server network drive and the issue seems to be happening with both users in the office as well as those who WFH with a vpn connection.

Re: Drawing Files locking while I have them open

nduimering — Thu, 23 Oct 2025 20:27:34 GMT

ok, thank you for your reply! I'm just starting to research the issue now and saw this post. Nathan

Re: Drawing Files locking while I have them open

pendean — Fri, 24 Oct 2025 13:19:47 GMT

@nduimering wrote:
Hi Pendean, our files are stored on a central server network drive and the issue seems to be happening with both users in the office as well as those who WFH with a vpn connection.

DWG Files "lock" when a connection to the storage location is lost for that user in a session. The OS did not release the file is the reason. That's been going on for the life of the program (40-ish years). It can be common more for VPN users than local in-office users (unless they use wireless connections), I'd try to repeat the issue on demand yourself and an IT colleague and try to dig deeper into the IT side of things as well.

AutoCAD does not "lock" files, the OS / Server OS does.