Fix Error -2147023838: The Requested Resource Is In Use

When you encounter error code -2147023838 (0x800703EA), it indicates a Windows COM/Win32 resource conflict, specifically "The requested resource is in use" or "The process cannot access the file because another process has locked a portion of the file." This typically appears when opening Office files, during OneDrive sync, or when backup tools access mailbox items.

The Fix

Close Conflicting Processes

Open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) and end any Office processes that might have the file open:

WINWORD.EXE (Word)
EXCEL.EXE (Excel)
OUTLOOK.EXE (Outlook)
OneDrive.exe

If the file is in OneDrive: Click the OneDrive system tray icon > Help & Settings > Pause syncing (2 hours). Retry your operation.

For Windows Explorer preview locks: Open File Explorer > View tab > disable Preview pane.

If That Doesn't Work: Identify the Locking Process

Download Process Explorer from Microsoft Sysinternals. Run as administrator, press Ctrl+F, and search for your filename. This shows which process holds the lock. Right-click the handle and select Close Handle or terminate the process.

Command line alternative using Sysinternals Handle:

handle.exe "C:\path\to\file.docx"

Note the PID and close the process via Task Manager.

If That Doesn't Work: Repair Office

Windows 10/11: Settings > Apps > Apps & features > Microsoft 365 Apps > Modify > Quick Repair. If the error persists after restart, run Online Repair.

Clear Office identity cache:

1. Close all Office applications.

2. Press Windows+R, type %localappdata%\Microsoft\Office\16.0\.

3. Delete these folders: Identity, OfficeFileCache, TokenBroker.

4. Restart the Office app.

If That Doesn't Work: Fix Network Share Locks

For files on network shares, restart the SMB service on the client machine. Run as administrator:

net stop workstation
net start workstation

Warning: This disconnects active network shares temporarily.

On the file server (admin access required):

Restart-Service -Name LanmanServer

If That Doesn't Work: Exchange/M365 Backup Scenarios

For mailbox backup/restore operations showing -2147023838, verify the user account and license:

Connect-ExchangeOnline -UserPrincipalName admin@contoso.com
Get-Mailbox -Identity user@contoso.com

Check license assignment:

Connect-MsolService
Get-MsolUser -UserPrincipalName user@contoso.com | Select DisplayName, IsLicensed

If the UPN or primary SMTP address changed, update the backup application configuration with the current UPN. Reauthorize the app in Azure AD if permissions expired.

If That Doesn't Work: Check Antivirus/Backup Tools

Temporarily exclude Office directories from real-time scanning in Windows Security or your third-party antivirus. Add process exclusions for winword.exe, excel.exe, onedrive.exe.

If backup software runs concurrently, reschedule the backup job or verify it supports VSS for open file backup.

Verify

Attempt to open, edit, and save the file that previously triggered -2147023838. For Office apps, sign in without "Something went wrong" errors. For backup operations, complete a test backup/restore without the error code in logs. Check OneDrive sync status for green checkmarks and no sync conflicts.