How to Replace an exe or DLL That Is In Use — Restart Manager and the "File In Use" Problem in Auto-Update (archived 2026-08-30)

Abstract

Why can't an exe or DLL that is in use be replaced? This article covers the locking of running files and the fact that renaming is still allowed, enumerating, shutting down and restarting the processes holding a file with Restart Manager, and rename-then-replace and MoveFileEx's replace-on-reboot — with C# diagnostic code. Archived version of https://comcomponent.com/en/blog/restart-manager-file-in-use-update-guide/, as published on 2026-08-30. The live article is maintained and may change after this date. First published 2026-07-24.