Fix ‘the requested resource is in use’ Error without Losing Data

Error The Requested Resource Is in Use

Symptoms:

Case 1: The Requested Resource Is in Use While Copying Files

Users receive an error the requested resource is in use when they try to copy or move files from one folder to another. In these instances, the Preview Pane might be responsible for the above error.

Solution:

Navigate to the source folder from where you want to copy or move files. Click on the Organize button, choose Layout and select the Preview Pane option.

Now, copy or move your required files to the desired destination location.

Case 2: Error The Requested Resource Is in Use During System/Malware Scan

In case, you come across error the requested resource is in use when you try to remove any application on your computer or while you running antivirus scan/system scan on the computer then it seems your system is infected with a malicious script called SmartService.

SmartService and “Error the Requested Resource Is in Use”…

SmartService is a rootkit virus that embeds deeply with your computer operating system, modify settings, later starts performing malicious actions. The primary concept of SmartService is to install malicious scripts in your computer and make them undetected for antivirus scan or system scan.

So, if you get an error the requested resource is in use when you are starting antivirus scan or removing any program from your computer then it is clear that your system is infected.

When you are trying to delete a program from the system, this error appears along with the executable file name and its path (which you are removing).

How to Fix Error the Requested Resource Is in Use?

Step 1: Right-click on Control Panel -> Administration Tools -> System Configuration. In General, choose Selective startup and hit OK. Switch to the Startup tab, right-click on applications that are marked as Unknown, opt Disable.

Next, switch to the Boot tab, select Safe boot under Boot options. Select the Minimal and opt OK.

Step 2: As said earlier “error the requested resource is in use” blocks your antivirus program. So, install another antivirus program on your computer and remove the SmartService rootkit.

If you cannot install any other AV software due the error, try next step.

Step 3: Close all running programs and save your works. If you are using Windows 10 OS, open Settings, choose “Update and Security” option, click on Windows Defender and select Scan Offline.

If you are running Windows 7 or earlier version, download Windows Defender Online tool on an empty CD/USB drive and create a removable media. Start your infected computer using this removable Windows Defender Offline media. Scan the computer and remove the virus.

Step 4: Press Windows and R keys together. Type Regedit and hit OK. Go to HKEY LOCAL MACHINE -> SOFTWARE ->Microsoft -> Windows -> CurrentVersion to find all Run folders. Check each of the folders, scan the listed files under those folders and find suspicious names which you think, may causing the requested resource in use error. Check and remove those files.

Step 5: If you have created System Restore Points, then restore your computer to the recent point where you were not facing error the requested resource is in use.

Step 6: Make use of third-party anti-rootkit software available online and remove the SmartService virus from your computer.

If none of the above solutions help you in solving error the requested resource is in use then, reinstall the operating system.

Before you reinstall OS, recover data from your virus infected computer using a professional Windows data recovery tool like Hi5 Software for Windows, if you have important data saved on your hard drive.

This is the recommended hard drive data recovery software for those who worried, how to recover files from virus infected hard drive. This powerful data recovery software can recover data from corrupted, formatted, inaccessible or any hard drives, external hard drives, media cards etc. storage devices with a few simple steps and stipulated time.

So, if your data is at risk due to severe errors like the requested resource is in use then this software really worth a try.

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