Mutex.OpenExisting Method

Definition

Namespace:

System.Threading

Assembly:

System.Threading.dll

Opens a specified named mutex, if it already exists.

Overloads

OpenExisting(String)

Opens the specified named mutex, if it already exists.

OpenExisting(String)

Source:

Mutex.cs

Opens the specified named mutex, if it already exists.

public:
 static System::Threading::Mutex ^ OpenExisting(System::String ^ name);

public static System.Threading.Mutex OpenExisting (string name);

static member OpenExisting : string -> System.Threading.Mutex

Public Shared Function OpenExisting (name As String) As Mutex

Parameters

name

String

The name of the synchronization object to be shared with other processes. The name is case-sensitive. The backslash character (\) is reserved and may only be used to specify a namespace. For more information on namespaces, see the remarks section. There may be further restrictions on the name depending on the operating system. For example, on Unix-based operating systems, the name after excluding the namespace must be a valid file name.

Returns

Mutex

An object that represents the named system mutex.

Exceptions

ArgumentException

name is an empty string.

-or-

.NET Framework only: name is longer than MAX_PATH (260 characters).

ArgumentNullException

name is null.

WaitHandleCannotBeOpenedException

A synchronization object with the provided name cannot be created. A synchronization object of a different type might have the same name. In some cases, this exception may be thrown for invalid names.

IOException

name is invalid. This can be for various reasons, including some restrictions that may be placed by the operating system, such as an unknown prefix or invalid characters. Note that the name and common prefixes "Global\" and "Local\" are case-sensitive.

-or-

There was some other error. The HResult property may provide more information.

DirectoryNotFoundException

Windows only: name specified an unknown namespace. See Object Names for more information.

PathTooLongException

The name is too long. Length restrictions may depend on the operating system or configuration.

UnauthorizedAccessException

The named mutex exists, but the user does not have the security access required to use it.

Examples

The following code example demonstrates the cross-process behavior of a named mutex with access control security. The example uses the OpenExisting(String) method overload to test for the existence of a named mutex.

If the mutex does not exist, it is created with initial ownership and access control security that denies the current user the right to use the mutex, but grants the right to read and change permissions on the mutex.

If you run the compiled example from two command windows, the second copy will throw an access violation exception on the call to OpenExisting(String). The exception is caught, and the example uses the OpenExisting(String, MutexRights) method overload to open the mutex with the rights needed to read and change the permissions.

After the permissions are changed, the mutex is opened with the rights required to enter and release it. If you run the compiled example from a third command window, it runs using the new permissions.

using namespace System;
using namespace System::Threading;
using namespace System::Security::AccessControl;
using namespace System::Security::Permissions;

public ref class Example
{
public:
   [SecurityPermissionAttribute(SecurityAction::Demand,Flags=SecurityPermissionFlag::UnmanagedCode)]
   static void Main()
   {
      String^ mutexName = L"MutexExample4";

      Mutex^ m = nullptr;
      bool doesNotExist = false;
      bool unauthorized = false;
      
      // The value of this variable is set by the mutex
      // constructor. It is true if the named system mutex was
      // created, and false if the named mutex already existed.
      //
      bool mutexWasCreated = false;

      // Attempt to open the named mutex.
      try
      {
         // Open the mutex with (MutexRights.Synchronize |
         // MutexRights.Modify), to enter and release the
         // named mutex.
         //
         m = Mutex::OpenExisting( mutexName );
      }
      catch ( WaitHandleCannotBeOpenedException^ ) 
      {
         Console::WriteLine( L"Mutex does not exist." );
         doesNotExist = true;
      }
      catch ( UnauthorizedAccessException^ ex ) 
      {
         Console::WriteLine( L"Unauthorized access: {0}", ex->Message );
         unauthorized = true;
      }

      // There are three cases: (1) The mutex does not exist.
      // (2) The mutex exists, but the current user doesn't
      // have access. (3) The mutex exists and the user has
      // access.
      //
      if ( doesNotExist )
      {
         // The mutex does not exist, so create it.
         // Create an access control list (ACL) that denies the
         // current user the right to enter or release the
         // mutex, but allows the right to read and change
         // security information for the mutex.
         //
         String^ user = String::Concat( Environment::UserDomainName, L"\\",
            Environment::UserName );
         MutexSecurity^ mSec = gcnew MutexSecurity;

         MutexAccessRule^ rule = gcnew MutexAccessRule( user,
            static_cast<MutexRights>(
               MutexRights::Synchronize |
               MutexRights::Modify),
            AccessControlType::Deny );
         mSec->AddAccessRule( rule );

         rule = gcnew MutexAccessRule( user,
            static_cast<MutexRights>(
               MutexRights::ReadPermissions |
                MutexRights::ChangePermissions),
            AccessControlType::Allow );
         mSec->AddAccessRule( rule );
         
         // Create a Mutex object that represents the system
         // mutex named by the constant 'mutexName', with
         // initial ownership for this thread, and with the
         // specified security access. The Boolean value that
         // indicates creation of the underlying system object
         // is placed in mutexWasCreated.
         //
         m = gcnew Mutex( true,mutexName, mutexWasCreated,mSec );
         
         // If the named system mutex was created, it can be
         // used by the current instance of this program, even
         // though the current user is denied access. The current
         // program owns the mutex. Otherwise, exit the program.
         //
         if ( mutexWasCreated )
         {
            Console::WriteLine( L"Created the mutex." );
         }
         else
         {
            Console::WriteLine( L"Unable to create the mutex." );
            return;
         }
      }
      else if ( unauthorized )
      {
         // Open the mutex to read and change the access control
         // security. The access control security defined above
         // allows the current user to do this.
         //
         try
         {
            m = Mutex::OpenExisting( mutexName,
               static_cast<MutexRights>(
                  MutexRights::ReadPermissions |
                  MutexRights::ChangePermissions) );
            
            // Get the current ACL. This requires
            // MutexRights.ReadPermissions.
            MutexSecurity^ mSec = m->GetAccessControl();

            String^ user = String::Concat( Environment::UserDomainName,
               L"\\", Environment::UserName );
            
            // First, the rule that denied the current user
            // the right to enter and release the mutex must
            // be removed.
            MutexAccessRule^ rule = gcnew MutexAccessRule( user,
               static_cast<MutexRights>(
                  MutexRights::Synchronize |
                  MutexRights::Modify),
               AccessControlType::Deny );
            mSec->RemoveAccessRule( rule );
            
            // Now grant the user the correct rights.
            //
            rule = gcnew MutexAccessRule( user,
               static_cast<MutexRights>(
                  MutexRights::Synchronize |
                  MutexRights::Modify),
               AccessControlType::Allow );
            mSec->AddAccessRule( rule );
            
            // Update the ACL. This requires
            // MutexRights.ChangePermissions.
            m->SetAccessControl( mSec );

            Console::WriteLine( L"Updated mutex security." );
            
            // Open the mutex with (MutexRights.Synchronize
            // | MutexRights.Modify), the rights required to
            // enter and release the mutex.
            //
            m = Mutex::OpenExisting( mutexName );
         }
         catch ( UnauthorizedAccessException^ ex ) 
         {
            Console::WriteLine(
               L"Unable to change permissions: {0}", ex->Message );
            return;
         }
      }
      
      // If this program created the mutex, it already owns
      // the mutex.
      //
      if ( !mutexWasCreated )
      {
         // Enter the mutex, and hold it until the program
         // exits.
         //
         try
         {
            Console::WriteLine( L"Wait for the mutex." );
            m->WaitOne();
            Console::WriteLine( L"Entered the mutex." );
         }
         catch ( UnauthorizedAccessException^ ex ) 
         {
            Console::WriteLine( L"Unauthorized access: {0}",
               ex->Message );
         }
      }

      Console::WriteLine( L"Press the Enter key to exit." );
      Console::ReadLine();
      m->ReleaseMutex();
      m->Dispose();
   }
};

int main()
{
   Example::Main();
}

using System;
using System.Threading;
using System.Security.AccessControl;

internal class Example
{
    internal static void Main()
    {
        const string mutexName = "MutexExample4";

        Mutex m = null;
        bool doesNotExist = false;
        bool unauthorized = false;

        // The value of this variable is set by the mutex
        // constructor. It is true if the named system mutex was
        // created, and false if the named mutex already existed.
        //
        bool mutexWasCreated = false;

        // Attempt to open the named mutex.
        try
        {
            // Open the mutex with (MutexRights.Synchronize |
            // MutexRights.Modify), to enter and release the
            // named mutex.
            //
            m = Mutex.OpenExisting(mutexName);
        }
        catch(WaitHandleCannotBeOpenedException)
        {
            Console.WriteLine("Mutex does not exist.");
            doesNotExist = true;
        }
        catch(UnauthorizedAccessException ex)
        {
            Console.WriteLine("Unauthorized access: {0}", ex.Message);
            unauthorized = true;
        }

        // There are three cases: (1) The mutex does not exist.
        // (2) The mutex exists, but the current user doesn't 
        // have access. (3) The mutex exists and the user has
        // access.
        //
        if (doesNotExist)
        {
            // The mutex does not exist, so create it.

            // Create an access control list (ACL) that denies the
            // current user the right to enter or release the 
            // mutex, but allows the right to read and change
            // security information for the mutex.
            //
            string user = Environment.UserDomainName + "\\"
                + Environment.UserName;
            var mSec = new MutexSecurity();

            MutexAccessRule rule = new MutexAccessRule(user, 
                MutexRights.Synchronize | MutexRights.Modify, 
                AccessControlType.Deny);
            mSec.AddAccessRule(rule);

            rule = new MutexAccessRule(user, 
                MutexRights.ReadPermissions | MutexRights.ChangePermissions,
                AccessControlType.Allow);
            mSec.AddAccessRule(rule);

            // Create a Mutex object that represents the system
            // mutex named by the constant 'mutexName', with
            // initial ownership for this thread, and with the
            // specified security access. The Boolean value that 
            // indicates creation of the underlying system object
            // is placed in mutexWasCreated.
            //
            m = new Mutex(true, mutexName, out mutexWasCreated, mSec);

            // If the named system mutex was created, it can be
            // used by the current instance of this program, even 
            // though the current user is denied access. The current
            // program owns the mutex. Otherwise, exit the program.
            // 
            if (mutexWasCreated)
            {
                Console.WriteLine("Created the mutex.");
            }
            else
            {
                Console.WriteLine("Unable to create the mutex.");
                return;
            }
        }
        else if (unauthorized)
        {
            // Open the mutex to read and change the access control
            // security. The access control security defined above
            // allows the current user to do this.
            //
            try
            {
                m = Mutex.OpenExisting(mutexName, 
                    MutexRights.ReadPermissions | MutexRights.ChangePermissions);

                // Get the current ACL. This requires 
                // MutexRights.ReadPermissions.
                MutexSecurity mSec = m.GetAccessControl();
                
                string user = Environment.UserDomainName + "\\"
                    + Environment.UserName;

                // First, the rule that denied the current user 
                // the right to enter and release the mutex must
                // be removed.
                MutexAccessRule rule = new MutexAccessRule(user, 
                     MutexRights.Synchronize | MutexRights.Modify,
                     AccessControlType.Deny);
                mSec.RemoveAccessRule(rule);

                // Now grant the user the correct rights.
                // 
                rule = new MutexAccessRule(user, 
                    MutexRights.Synchronize | MutexRights.Modify,
                    AccessControlType.Allow);
                mSec.AddAccessRule(rule);

                // Update the ACL. This requires
                // MutexRights.ChangePermissions.
                m.SetAccessControl(mSec);

                Console.WriteLine("Updated mutex security.");

                // Open the mutex with (MutexRights.Synchronize 
                // | MutexRights.Modify), the rights required to
                // enter and release the mutex.
                //
                m = Mutex.OpenExisting(mutexName);
            }
            catch(UnauthorizedAccessException ex)
            {
                Console.WriteLine("Unable to change permissions: {0}",
                    ex.Message);
                return;
            }
        }

        // If this program created the mutex, it already owns
        // the mutex.
        //
        if (!mutexWasCreated)
        {
            // Enter the mutex, and hold it until the program
            // exits.
            //
            try
            {
                Console.WriteLine("Wait for the mutex.");
                m.WaitOne();
                Console.WriteLine("Entered the mutex.");
            }
            catch(UnauthorizedAccessException ex)
            {
                Console.WriteLine("Unauthorized access: {0}", ex.Message);
            }
        }

        Console.WriteLine("Press the Enter key to exit.");
        Console.ReadLine();
        m.ReleaseMutex();
        m.Dispose();
    }
}

Imports System.Threading
Imports System.Security.AccessControl

Friend Class Example

    <MTAThread> _
    Friend Shared Sub Main()
        Const mutexName As String = "MutexExample4"

        Dim m As Mutex = Nothing
        Dim doesNotExist as Boolean = False
        Dim unauthorized As Boolean = False

        ' The value of this variable is set by the mutex
        ' constructor. It is True if the named system mutex was
        ' created, and False if the named mutex already existed.
        '
        Dim mutexWasCreated As Boolean

        ' Attempt to open the named mutex.
        Try
            ' Open the mutex with (MutexRights.Synchronize Or
            ' MutexRights.Modify), to enter and release the
            ' named mutex.
            '
            m = Mutex.OpenExisting(mutexName)
        Catch ex As WaitHandleCannotBeOpenedException
            Console.WriteLine("Mutex does not exist.")
            doesNotExist = True
        Catch ex As UnauthorizedAccessException
            Console.WriteLine("Unauthorized access: {0}", ex.Message)
            unauthorized = True
        End Try

        ' There are three cases: (1) The mutex does not exist.
        ' (2) The mutex exists, but the current user doesn't 
        ' have access. (3) The mutex exists and the user has
        ' access.
        '
        If doesNotExist Then
            ' The mutex does not exist, so create it.

            ' Create an access control list (ACL) that denies the
            ' current user the right to enter or release the 
            ' mutex, but allows the right to read and change
            ' security information for the mutex.
            '
            Dim user As String = Environment.UserDomainName _ 
                & "\" & Environment.UserName
            Dim mSec As New MutexSecurity()

            Dim rule As New MutexAccessRule(user, _
                MutexRights.Synchronize Or MutexRights.Modify, _
                AccessControlType.Deny)
            mSec.AddAccessRule(rule)

            rule = New MutexAccessRule(user, _
                MutexRights.ReadPermissions Or _
                MutexRights.ChangePermissions, _
                AccessControlType.Allow)
            mSec.AddAccessRule(rule)

            ' Create a Mutex object that represents the system
            ' mutex named by the constant 'mutexName', with
            ' initial ownership for this thread, and with the
            ' specified security access. The Boolean value that 
            ' indicates creation of the underlying system object
            ' is placed in mutexWasCreated.
            '
            m = New Mutex(True, mutexName, mutexWasCreated, mSec)

            ' If the named system mutex was created, it can be
            ' used by the current instance of this program, even 
            ' though the current user is denied access. The current
            ' program owns the mutex. Otherwise, exit the program.
            ' 
            If mutexWasCreated Then
                Console.WriteLine("Created the mutex.")
            Else
                Console.WriteLine("Unable to create the mutex.")
                Return
            End If

        ElseIf unauthorized Then

            ' Open the mutex to read and change the access control
            ' security. The access control security defined above
            ' allows the current user to do this.
            '
            Try
                m = Mutex.OpenExisting(mutexName, _
                    MutexRights.ReadPermissions Or _
                    MutexRights.ChangePermissions)

                ' Get the current ACL. This requires 
                ' MutexRights.ReadPermissions.
                Dim mSec As MutexSecurity = m.GetAccessControl()
                
                Dim user As String = Environment.UserDomainName _ 
                    & "\" & Environment.UserName

                ' First, the rule that denied the current user 
                ' the right to enter and release the mutex must
                ' be removed.
                Dim rule As New MutexAccessRule(user, _
                    MutexRights.Synchronize Or MutexRights.Modify, _
                    AccessControlType.Deny)
                mSec.RemoveAccessRule(rule)

                ' Now grant the user the correct rights.
                ' 
                rule = New MutexAccessRule(user, _
                    MutexRights.Synchronize Or MutexRights.Modify, _
                    AccessControlType.Allow)
                mSec.AddAccessRule(rule)

                ' Update the ACL. This requires
                ' MutexRights.ChangePermissions.
                m.SetAccessControl(mSec)

                Console.WriteLine("Updated mutex security.")

                ' Open the mutex with (MutexRights.Synchronize 
                ' Or MutexRights.Modify), the rights required to
                ' enter and release the mutex.
                '
                m = Mutex.OpenExisting(mutexName)

            Catch ex As UnauthorizedAccessException
                Console.WriteLine("Unable to change permissions: {0}", _
                    ex.Message)
                Return
            End Try

        End If

        ' If this program created the mutex, it already owns
        ' the mutex.
        '
        If Not mutexWasCreated Then
            ' Enter the mutex, and hold it until the program
            ' exits.
            '
            Try
                Console.WriteLine("Wait for the mutex.")
                m.WaitOne()
                Console.WriteLine("Entered the mutex.")
            Catch ex As UnauthorizedAccessException
                Console.WriteLine("Unauthorized access: {0}", _
                    ex.Message)
            End Try
        End If

        Console.WriteLine("Press the Enter key to exit.")
        Console.ReadLine()
        m.ReleaseMutex()
        m.Dispose()
    End Sub 
End Class

Remarks

The name may be prefixed with Global\ or Local\ to specify a namespace. When the Global namespace is specified, the synchronization object may be shared with any processes on the system. When the Local namespace is specified, which is also the default when no namespace is specified, the synchronization object may be shared with processes in the same session. On Windows, a session is a login session, and services typically run in a different non-interactive session. On Unix-like operating systems, each shell has its own session. Session-local synchronization objects may be appropriate for synchronizing between processes with a parent/child relationship where they all run in the same session. For more information about synchronization object names on Windows, see Object Names.

If a synchronization object of the requested type exists in the namespace, the existing synchronization object is opened. If a synchronization object does not exist in the namespace, or a synchronization object of a different type exists in the namespace, a WaitHandleCannotBeOpenedException is thrown.

The OpenExisting method tries to open the specified named system mutex. To create the system mutex when it does not already exist, use one of the Mutex constructors that has a name parameter.

Multiple calls to this method that use the same value for name do not necessarily return the same Mutex object, even though the objects that are returned represent the same named system mutex.

This method overload is equivalent to calling the OpenExisting(String, MutexRights) method overload and specifying MutexRights.Synchronize and MutexRights.Modify rights, combined by using the bitwise OR operation.

Specifying the MutexRights.Synchronize flag allows a thread to wait on the mutex, and specifying the MutexRights.Modify flag allows a thread to call the ReleaseMutex method.

This method does not request ownership of the mutex.