PMImport fails with error: The process cannot access the file 'C:\Altiris\Patch Management\' because it is being used by another process.
Article ID: 184748
Updated On: 06-09-2025
Products
Issue/Introduction
PMImport is failing.
According to the NS logs, the following log entries were present:
Entry 1:
Failed to update Tools\WindowsPatchData.zip
The process cannot access the file 'D:\Program Files\Altiris\Patch Management\packages\windowsvulnerabilityscan\WindowsPatchData.zip' because it is being used by another process.
[System.IO.IOException @ mscorlib]
at System.IO.__Error.WinIOError(Int32 errorCode, String maybeFullPath)
at System.IO.File.InternalCopy(String sourceFileName, String destFileName, Boolean overwrite, Boolean checkHost)
at Altiris.PatchManagement.Tasks.WindowsImportTask.DownloadPackageFiles(ICollection`1 listOfFiles, String destination)
Entry 2:
Failed to update assessment files for: 'Import Patch Data for Windows' (c27dbb50-6ddf-4125-87c1-d8f5b588491d)
The process cannot access the file 'D:\Program Files\Altiris\Patch Management\packages\windowsvulnerabilityscan\WindowsPatchData.zip' because it is being used by another process.
[System.IO.IOException @ mscorlib]
at System.IO.__Error.WinIOError(Int32 errorCode, String maybeFullPath)
at System.IO.File.InternalCopy(String sourceFileName, String destFileName, Boolean overwrite, Boolean checkHost)
at Altiris.PatchManagement.Tasks.WindowsImportTask.DownloadPackageFiles(ICollection`1 listOfFiles, String destination)
at Altiris.PatchManagement.Tasks.WindowsImportTask.UpdateAssesmentPackage(ICollection`1 listOfFiles)
at Altiris.PatchManagement.Tasks.WindowsImportTask.RunImport(String cabUrl)
Environment
ITMS 8.x
Patch Management 8.x
Cause
Many open files of WindowsPatchData.zip and other files in shared folder.
Resolution
Try the following:
1. We are assuming there are many open files related to patch management and other packages in the shared folder (under Computer Manager> Shared folders> Open files).
2. In order to stop all those connections or possible programs holding the file, try the following:
A) Stop all Altiris Services:
Altiris Support Service
Altiris Client Message Dispatcher
Altiris File Receiver
Altiris Event Receiver
Altiris Service
Altiris Object Host Service
Altiris Service Hoster
Altiris Event Engine
B) Stop IIS (From Admin Command Line, run iisreset /stop)
C) Stop Symantec Management agent service on the SMP server.
D) Try to delete ALL FILES from the location shown in the error you are receiving. In our situation it was ':\Program Files\Altiris\Patch Management\packages\windowsvulnerabilityscan'. but in your case it could be other folders or files under '\Program Files\Altiris\Patch Management'. If It will not let you delete it because the file is still in use by some process, go to the next step.
NOTE: Do not delete the WindowsVulnerabilityScan folder, or you will have to recreate it in order for PMImport to run successfully. Do delete all of the files inside of it though.
E) On your SMP Server, Go to "Computer Manager> Shared folders> Open files" and see if you have any references for 'D:\Program Files\Altiris\Patch Management\' file. If you do, delete them.
F) Start the services that you stopped above.
G) Run the PMImport again
Note: If the issue keeps reoccurring where this WindowsPatchData.zip file keeps getting locked, try to identify what is locking it. Some ideas on how to do this:
Option 1:
1. Download Microsoft Process Explorer
2. Check if the WindowsPatchData.zip file is still locked.
Steps for finding:
Go to File, and select "Show Details for All Processes" option
Go to Find > Find Handle or DLL.
In the "Handle or DLL substring:" text box, type the path to the file (e.g. "C:\path\to\file.txt") and click "Search".
All processes which have an open handle to that file should be listed.
3. If nothing is locking the file, try to run PMImport again and when you see the error in the NS logs for this error:
The process cannot access the file 'D:\Program Files\Altiris\Patch Management\packages\windowsvulnerabilityscan\WindowsPatchData.zip' because it is being used by another process.
Then open Microsoft Process Explorer and see if it shows what it is.
https://www.windowscentral.com/how-delete-locked-files-windows-10
Option 2:
Try the following article:
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