Problem
In Safari, when you try to attach a file using an email service powered by the Outlook Web App, you get the following error:
“The file <filename> is being used by another program and can’t be attached. Please close it and try again.”
Knowledge base for Windows, Mac & Assistive Technology.
I just ran into this same issue in Safari, Firefox and Google Chrome. I isolated the problem to files located in one specific folder. Every file in that folder was suddenly unable to be attached to any email. I found a solution by simply creating a new folder and dragging all the files from the “bad” folder to the new one. Once I did that, the problem was solved and all files were “attachable.”
Thanks Mike, I had the same problem, and your solution of creating a new folder and dragging the files from “bad” folder to new folder worked 🙂
Thanks Mike, I had the same problems and tried every sort of trick but by following your suggestion I solved the issue very quickly. Great.
I have had this problem in multiple folders with different files using Firefox 12.0.
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! You saved me a lot of time and effort. Quick and easy fix to an annoying problem. : )
Thank you so much, It worked for me. But why does that happen in the first place? There was a suggestion to reset safari settings. Would that remedy the problem altogether?
thanks guys!!! had the same problem and just sorted it out creating a new folder and transferring the “faulty” files there!
Thanks for the help!
But still, I would love to know why is is happening? I noticed these kind of problems only when using OUtlook, hotmail mail boxes, when I use gmail or other, no such issue…
This was so frustrating. Thanks for the help!
thanks its a work around at least. as for the question about why this is happening its simply the fact that its a microsoft piece of software they suck
I have had this problem after messing around with Time machine files… I’m guessing that’s what triggered this issue for me. :s
LIFESAVING TIP! Was getting ready to lose my cool but this tip kept me sane!
I think I may have found the cause. This was tested on a Mac running OS X 10.8, using OWA in Safari.
It looks like OWA doesn’t like it if there is a trailing space in a folder name somewhere in the file path. So for example, attaching the following file will not work:
~/Documents/TestDir /filename.doc
because there is a trailing space in the name of the folder “TestDir “. If you remove the trailing space by renaming the folder, the file will then be attachable.
Give that a try and see if that fixes your problems.
What great detective work! Yes, this is the problem. Terrific solution. Thank you.
Thanks so much, incompatible folders do have the trailing space.
That was frustrating.
Yes! I was having the same problem and found a trailing space as well. Removing it solved the problem!
Thank you!!
Thank you for both the temp and permanent fix!
Thank you. Moving the .doc from its folder to my desktop allowed it to be attached in email. Phew!
Mike and Andrew you are life savers…Thanks so much..
Cameron thank you! You are a DIAMOND! Saved me a lot of stress!
So, you’re like, some sort of genius or something? I got rid of my training space, and that got rid of my problem!!!
Thanks so much it worked making a new file!
THANK YOU!! Simple move to the desktop and they worked 🙂
Renaming my folder and deleting the space fixed my problem! I am so thankful for your advice! This was killing me!
Mike, three years later your response helped!!! I dragged the file into a new folder and was able to succesfully attach the file. thanks!
Thanks. i have been trying to fix this for hours!! The add folder and drag across has saved me. Much appreciated.
This solution is still working!! I couldn’t find a solution to this problem anyway, but thanks to you, I found success!!!
It’s still working!! Thanks!!