SharePoint 2013 Troubleshooting: The process cannot access the file... because it is being used by another process

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Problem

You are performing a migration of a content database from SharePoint 2007 to SharePoint 2013. You've mounted the database to the 2013 farm and then migrate users:

$wa = Get-SPWebApplication https://URL $wa.MigrateUsers($true) $wa.ProvisionGlobally()

You then see the following error appear once the ProvisionGlobally method is executed:

Exception calling "ProvisionGlobally" with "0" argument(s): "The process cannot access the file 'C:\inetpub\wwwroot\wss\VirtualDirectories\domainnamePort]\app_bin\Microsoft.SharePoint.WorkflowServices.ApplicationPages.dll' because it is being used by another process."

Browsing to the site, you experience an HTTP 404 error.  You begin troubleshooting.

Troubleshooting

1. Check status of Windows Server services: all SharePoint and SharePoint-related services are running.

2. Check status of application pools in IIS: all SharePoint application pools are started.

3. Check status of sites in IIS: all SharePoint sites are started.

4. Check status of services on server in Central Administration: Microsoft SharePoint Foundation Web Application is started.

5. Check critical service account permissions to content database: spFarm, spService, spApp, spAdmin all have appropriate permissions.

6. Check critical service account local permissions: all are members of local Administrators group.

7. Check Alternate Access Mappings:  all mappings correct.

8. Check file checkout: default file is not checked out.

9. Unmount and remount content database: still have issue.

10. Perform IISRESET: still have issue.

11. Restart server: still have issue.

12. Stop and restart Microsoft SharePoint Foundation Web Application service on server: service stopped without issue; however, when attempting to start it, observed this error:

    The process cannot access the file 'C:\inetpub\wwwroot\wss\VirtualDirectories\
    [DomainnamePort]\app_bin\Microsoft.SharePoint.WorkflowServices.ApplicationPages.dll' because it is being used by another process.

13. Perform Internet search: some postings indicate that perhaps something is locking the port; do port check.

14. Run netstat -ano: identified single process listening at port 80, and this was the NT Kernel & System.

15. Perform Internet search: a posting suggested disabling anti-virus.

16. Disable McAfee On-Access Scan on the web server: successfully browsed to site.

Solution

• When observing an IIS file being locked by a process, in combination with an HTTP 404 error, try disabling anti-virus.

References

• SPWebApplication.ProvisionGlobally method
• IIS Manager Error: The process cannot access the file because it is being used by another process. (Exception from HRESULT: 0x80070020)
• SharePoint - 80 "The Process cannot access the file because it is being used by another process"

Notes

• Subsequently restarted McAfee anti-virus without observing any adverse affect on web application operation.