File in use error when I copy and move a file

Question

Hi all,

I'm writing a WinForm C# program that watches a folder by a FileSystemWatcher.

When a file (4kb) arrives in that folder I copy it in two other foldes: so far I achieve that by File.Copy() then File.Move() calls.

On the Move() call I always have an IoException: File in use from other process.

The operation is done on a control.Invoke() function, here I added a secondary thread and in plus I separated Copy and Move calls with a Sleep(1000).

Nothing to do, always IoException.

The Copy operation is synchronous, is it?

By some Console.Write() calls I see that the filesystemWatcher funtion is done when the Move function is invoked ..

How can I solve?

Which process is using the file?

Thanks, regards

Answer 1

I found the problem.

The file was an image: the was caused by the missing Dispose() of the image after the Image.LoadFromFile().

Thanks anyway.

Answer 2

To rule out Copy method being the issue try the following.

public static async Task CopyFileAsync(string sourceFile, string endDirectory)
{
    await using FileStream sourceStream = File.Open(sourceFile, FileMode.Open);
    await using FileStream destinationStream = File.Create(
        Path.Combine(endDirectory, Path.GetFileName(sourceFile)));
    await sourceStream.CopyToAsync(destinationStream);
}

Source