Locking a file helps prevents other users from editing or saving changes for a particular period of time. When you open a file that you have permission to edit, Xythos Drive automatically locks the file for 15 minutes. While the file is still open, the lock is continually refreshed. When you close the file, Xythos Drive unlocks the file.

You can explicitly lock files through the Xythos Drive. This helps prevent other users from editing files that you are working on. Once you are done editing the file, you should unlock it to allow other users to edit it. An item stays locked until you release it or the lock expires. 

You can not lock folders through the Xythos Drive.

Locking a file

To lock a file:

1. Using Windows Explorer, locate the file.
2. Right-click the file, and then select Lock File. To select adjacent multiple files, while selecting press the SHIFT key while you select the first and last file in the group. To select multiple files that are not adjacent, press the CNTL key while you select the files.
3. In the Locking Options dialog box, set the Lock Period and click OK.
4. No confirmation message is returned, unless the lock request failed.

If you have configured Xythos Drive to display the status of files on the server, Locked is displayed in the Xythos Drive Status column.

Unlocking a file

To unlock a file:

1. Using Windows Explorer, locate the file.
2. Right-click the file or folder and select Unlock File.
3. No confirmation message is returned, unless the lock request failed.