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Power Platform Community / Forums / Power Automate / Delete file locked by ...
Power Automate
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Delete file locked by user

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Posted on by philifova 125

Hi Folks!

 

I have a flow that will delete a file once downloaded. I already added a delay of 3 minutes but still failed due to file is open. 

 

Is there a time frame before it close automatically? 

 

To add, the first flow is actually copying an excel, insert a data, download via PowerApps then delete flow will be trigger.

 

philifova_0-1669854201168.png

 

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  • Verified answer
    v-chengfen-msft Profile Picture
    v-chengfen-msft Microsoft Employee on at

    Hi @philifova 

    The reason for this problem is:
    1. The file is locked for shared use, so you cannot run the process to delete the file.

     

    Here is a test for your reference:

    vchengfenmsft_0-1669859761886.png

    Set 【Delay】 Configure run after

    vchengfenmsft_1-1669859836204.png

    vchengfenmsft_2-1669859858841.png

     

     

    Here are some links for your reference:

    Locked file checking pattern in Power Automate • Tomasz Poszytek, Business Applications MVP

    Solved: Unable to Delete file - File is locked for shared ... - Power Platform Community (microsoft.com)

    Hope it can help you.

     

     

    Best Regards

    Cheng Feng

  • PC-24070157-0 Profile Picture
    PC-24070157-0 6 on at

    Hi @v-chengfen-msft,

    Thanks for this solution. Though the delay is a little time-consuming, it works. I wonder if there is a workaround such as "force delete" flow or using check-out/in to officially close the file? Thanks. 

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