Fix BitTorrent Error The Process Cannot Access The File

BitTorrent is one of the most popular peer-to-peer file-sharing tools. First launched in 2001, it rose to popularity in the late 2010s. In recent times, many users have found BitTorrent error the process cannot access the file because it is being used by another process while attempting to download files. If you are also wondering why do I get said prompt, the reasons can be varied and solutions too, as listed below.

Fix BitTorrent Error the Process Cannot Access

How to Fix BitTorrent Error The Process Cannot Access The File in Windows 10

There can be multiple reasons for BitTorrent error while downloading files, such as:

  • Interfering applications or Microsoft Defender
  • Errors due to the location of the download file
  • Issues eith BitTorrent client itself

Method 1: Restart PC

The basic troubleshooting for any issues would be restarting your device. This would easily fix any temporary glitches. Follow the below steps.

Method 2: Restart BitTorrent

If the BitTorrent client is attempting to write on a file that is already opened in another application, it may cause process cannot access errors. This issue can be resolved by restarting the BitTorrent client as follows:

1. Hit the Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys simultaneously to open the Task Manager.

2. In the Processes tab, right-click on the BitTorrent process.

3. Then, select the End task option.

end task bittorrent

4. Now, open the BitTorrent app again.

Also Read: Fix The Process Cannot Access the File error on Windows 10

Method 3: Close Interfering Processes

When the current folder of the torrent is open in a file indexing tool, it may cause problems while downloading the file. If a third-party application is attempting to write data on the same file as BitTorrent, the BitTorrent error the process cannot access can occur. To avoid this, you may want to close all such interfering applications on your PC. If manually closing the apps does not work. You can follow these simple steps to end the background tasks. Read our guide on How to End Task in Windows 10 and implement the same.

End Task in Windows 10

Method 4: Add Exclusion in Windows Defender

To resolve BitTorrent error the process cannot access problem, you can also try to whitelist the download folder from the Windows defender. To whitelist the download folder, you need to add an exclusion for the particular folder. You can perform this by following these simple steps.

1. Press Windows + I keys simultaneously to open Settings.

2. Click on Update & Security setting.

click on update and security

3. In the left pane, click on Windows Security.

click on windows security. Fix BitTorrent Error the Process Cannot Access in Windows 10

4. Click on Virus & threat protection.

click on virus and threat protection

5. Under Virus & threat protection settings, click on Manage settings.

under virus amd threat protection settings click on manage settings. Fix BitTorrent Error the Process Cannot Access in Windows 10

6. Scroll down to the Exclusions section and click on Add or remove exclusions.

click on add or remove exclusions

7. Now, click on Add an exclusion and select Folder.

click on add an exclusion and select folder. Fix BitTorrent Error the Process Cannot Access in Windows 10

8. Select the folder where you want to download the file.

Also Read: Fix Qbittorrent I/O error in Windows 10

Method 5: Add Exclusion in Antivirus Program (If Applicable)

If your antivirus is causing errors in downloading files, you can try adding an exclusion in Antivirus Program to resolve this BitTorrent error the process cannot access issue.

Note: We have shown the steps for Avast Free Antivirus as an example.

1. Open Avast Antivirus and click on the Menu option at the top right corner.

Click on the Menu option

2. From the drop-down list, select Settings.

select Settings

3. In the General tab, go to Blocked & Allowed apps.

4. Under the List of allowed apps section, click on ALLOW APP.

Under the List of allowed apps and click on ALLOW APP. Fix BitTorrent Error the Process Cannot Access in Windows 10

5. Now, click on ADD, corresponding to the BitTorrent path, to add it to the whitelist.

Note: We have shown App Installer being added as an exclusion below.

click on ADD

Method 6: Disable Windows Defender Firewall (Not Recommended)

Microsoft Defender, using Real-time Protection, scans all the downloading files for possible malware or any such threats to your PC. Sometimes, a BitTorrent download can be interrupted by the Microsoft Defender. To resolve this issue, you can try to turn off the Real-time Protection on your system. Read our How to Disable Windows 10 Firewall guide to disable the Windows Defender firewall on your PC safely.

Disable Windows Firewall

Once the issue has been resolved, ensure to re-enable the Windows Firewall. A device without a security suite is always prone to malware attacks.

Method 7: Temporarily Disable Antivirus (If Applicable)

If you are using a third-party antivirus, the antivirus may be causing BitTorrent error the process cannot access. One of the measures to avoid this issue is to disable the antivirus program from your PC. You can follow these simple steps to uninstall an antivirus program from your computer safely. Read our guide on How to Disable Antivirus Temporarily on Windows 10 and implement the same.

Disable Antivirus Temporarily

Once you have downloaded the file, re-enable the antivirus program. A system without a security suite would be vulnerable to virus attacks.

Note: You can also uninstall the antivirus program, but it is not recommended.

Also Read: 15 Best uTorrent Alternatives Available

Method 8: Redownload File Outside Cloud Folders (If Applicable)

If you are still confused about why I get a the process cannot access file error upon attempting a download from BitTorrent, you may want to check where your files are being downloaded. If your download folder is located in a Cloud folder such as OneDrive, Google Drive, or Dropbox, then you may want to change that. You can avoid this error by saving the download outside the Cloud folder, preferably on C: drive. You must reload the torrent file and remove the current download to execute this. You can follow these steps to remove the current download from BitTorrent.

1. Press the Windows key, type BitTorrent, then click on Open.

open bittorrent

2. Right-click on the current downloading torrent file.

3. Then, click on the Remove And option.

Select Remove And

4. Here, select Delete .torrent + Data.

choose Delete .torrent plus Data. Fix BitTorrent Error the Process Cannot Access in Windows 10

5. Click on Yes in the confirmation prompt.

6. Now, double-click on the file that has to be downloaded and choose a different location, apart from any cloud storage location.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. Why can’t I download files from BitTorrent?

Ans. There can be many reasons for BitTorrent not downloading files, such as an interfering application and issues due to Windows defender.

Q2. Can I save BitTorrent downloads on Cloud folders?

Ans. Yes, BitTorrent provides you tools to save your downloads directly to Cloud folders.

Q3. How to remove files from BitTorrent?

Ans. Select the file and press the Delete key to delete the file. You can also remove the file from Recycle Bin.

Recommended: Fix Dropbox Error Downloading Your File in Windows 10

We hope this guide was helpful and that you were able to fix BitTorrent error the process cannot access on your Windows PC> Comment down and let us know which method worked for you. Also, if you have questions, queries, or suggestions, feel free to share them with us.

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