Manage open files and shares in Windows Server 2008

Under the “Administrative Tools” menu in Windows Server 2008 is a utility called Share and Storage Management.(SSM)

SSM was originally brought out in Windows Server 2003 R2.

SSM is a collaboration of previously separate tools like Disk Management, Defragmenter, Resource Manager and SAN Storage Manager.



To start the utility, choose Start>Administrative Tools>Share and Storage Management:

From the Action pane on the right hand side of the tool, you have various options to choose, like "Manage Open Files".

For instance, to see what files are open on your system, you would click “Manage Open Files” and a screen will open up that shows you a list of the files and folders that are open on your server.


The list tells you which user that has the file open and the file’s location.




From here you have the option to close an open file by either choosing the file or clicking the Close Selected button.

Alternatively, if you are looking to bump everyone out of a server or share, you can do this by clicking “Close All”.


Keep in mind that you will soon have a long line of angry users at your desk or blowing up your phone as users will lose any unsaved work once you “pull the proverbial carpet out from underneath them”


Enjoy!