# VB.Net file is use error **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 4, 2007, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vb-net-file-is-use-error/398725 "2007-04-04T16:30:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![LateComer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b5ac83/32.png) [@LateComer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LateComer)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2007, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vb-net-file-is-use-error/398725/1 "2007-04-04T16:30:54Z")
I’m working on a [vb.net](http://vb.net) project and have a slight problem. I have a datagrid with a directory listing of bitmap files. When a row is selected, the file is shown in a picture box as a preview. The picture box image is set: ```auto Me.picThumb.Image = System.Drawing.Image.FromFile(fileString) ``` This works great. I want to be able to delete the bitmap file selected in the datagrid. I get a file in use error. I figured that this was because the picturebox was using the file, so I tried changing the picturebox image before the delete but this didn’t fix the problem. Through troubleshooting I found that any picture that was previewed at any time while the program is running is locked and can’t be deleted until I exit the program, whether I try to delete by hand from a command prompt or through Explorer. Any thoughts? ---
**Author:** ![LilShieste](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9f8e36/32.png) [@LilShieste](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LilShieste)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2007, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vb-net-file-is-use-error/398725/2 "2007-04-04T19:31:22Z")
[QUOTE=LateComer] I’m working on a [vb.net](http://vb.net) project and have a slight problem. I have a datagrid with a directory listing of bitmap files. When a row is selected, the file is shown in a picture box as a preview. The picture box image is set: ```auto Me.picThumb.Image = System.Drawing.Image.FromFile(fileString) ``` This works great. I want to be able to delete the bitmap file selected in the datagrid. I get a file in use error. I figured that this was because the picturebox was using the file, so I tried changing the picturebox image before the delete but this didn’t fix the problem. Through troubleshooting I found that any picture that was previewed at any time while the program is running is locked and can’t be deleted until I exit the program, whether I try to delete by hand from a command prompt or through Explorer. Any thoughts? [/QUOTE] According to the MSDN documentation: > [@](#): > > The file remains locked until the Image is disposed. So, just add the following line of code, sometime before you try deleting the file.: ```auto Me.picThumb.Image.Dispose() ``` I hope that helps. If not, just post back. 🙂 LilShieste ---
**Author:** ![LateComer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b5ac83/32.png) [@LateComer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LateComer)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2007, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vb-net-file-is-use-error/398725/3 "2007-04-05T01:35:12Z")
[QUOTE=LilShieste] So, just add the following line of code, sometime before you try deleting the file.: ```auto Me.picThumb.Image.Dispose() ``` [/QUOTE] Tried and failed. That’s what’s so frustrating. I am convinced that it’s the preview since I also have text files in the directory without preview and they delete without problem. Here’s what I do before trying the delete command. This is basically the culmination of all of the things I tried to free up that file, none of which worked. I even put the sleeps in to give the OS time to do its business. ```auto Me.picThumb.Image.Dispose() System.Threading.Thread.Sleep(2000) Me.picThumb.Image = Nothing Me.picThumb.Image = System.Drawing.Bitmap.FromFile(filePath) Me.picThumb.Image.Dispose() System.Threading.Thread.Sleep(2000) ``` Here is the error I get on the command line with the delete command: ```auto The process cannot access the file because it is being used by another process. ``` thanks for your help. ---
**Author:** ![LilShieste](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9f8e36/32.png) [@LilShieste](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LilShieste)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2007, 7:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vb-net-file-is-use-error/398725/4 "2007-04-05T07:04:38Z")
Hmm, that is pretty bizarre. :dubious: I can see why this is so frustrating. Are you using .Net 2.0? If so, then try the following approach: ```auto Me.picThumb.Load(filePath) ``` As a side question: is it possible that you have any other controls accessing that same image, during the preview? Or is the picture box the only object referencing it? LilShieste ---
**Author:** ![LateComer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b5ac83/32.png) [@LateComer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LateComer)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2007, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vb-net-file-is-use-error/398725/5 "2007-04-05T13:05:06Z")
[QUOTE=LilShieste] Hmm, that is pretty bizarre. :dubious: I can see why this is so frustrating. Are you using .Net 2.0? If so, then try the following approach: ```auto Me.picThumb.Load(filePath) ``` [/quote] This doesn’t work. I’m using 1.1 [QUOTE=LilShieste] As a side question: is it possible that you have any other controls accessing that same image, during the preview? Or is the picture box the only object referencing it? LilShieste [/QUOTE] No, only the picture box. The only other reference to the bmp files is the datagrid which is filled with just a directory listing. I’m going to try it on a machine with a newer version of the framework if I can find such a machine. If it still doesn’t work, I’m abandoning that function and moving on with my life. Thanks for your help. ---
**Author:** ![LilShieste](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9f8e36/32.png) [@LilShieste](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LilShieste)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2007, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vb-net-file-is-use-error/398725/6 "2007-04-05T15:12:55Z")
[QUOTE=LateComer] This doesn’t work. I’m using 1.1 No, only the picture box. The only other reference to the bmp files is the datagrid which is filled with just a directory listing. I’m going to try it on a machine with a newer version of the framework if I can find such a machine. If it still doesn’t work, I’m abandoning that function and moving on with my life. Thanks for your help. [/QUOTE] Sorry I couldn’t help much. If you do figure out a solution at some point, then I’d be curious to hear about it. Otherwise, moving on with your life is probably a good idea, if it’s a valid option. 😉 LilShieste