Searchprotcolhost.exe locking file?

[junjun]

Recently, when trying to delete certain file, the process will often be stuck at the windows pop up saying preparing to delete. Every time this happen there will be a searchprotocolhost.exe using very low resource running.

It so far only happen when saving files from the net. For example when saving a .jpg or .htm you realise that you download the wrong file and try to delete it, the delete process will stuck not hang. Like it is try to delete but could notbor when saving the process will be stuck like it could not write the file. During this instances, the process task will show a searchprotocolhost.exe that is using lesser process that it usually does, almost like its hang or have problem.

When the deleting process or saving process is stuck and you press cancel, the process is stop but the file that you are trying to delete or save cannot be overwrite or delete until the PC reboot again. The event viewer will also say that the search protcol is being forcefully terminated will you cancel the process.

The question is a bit all over the place but hope someone would be able to understand and explain or advice on what to do to solve the problem. Thanks.

 

[junjun]

After observing the problem for a while, it seem that the problem occur mostly during saving of file(regardless of format). Searchprotocolhost.exe will definitely be present in the task manager, dllhost.exe seem to be present sometime.

Most of the time when this problem happens, certain files or the saved file seem to be locked up and cannot be edited in anyway. Those file cannot be deleted or rename, during this time other files and folder will not show any information, example, when a file or folder is click, windows explorer only shows '1 folder' or '1 file' instead of the the file name created time etc. Sometime the left column of the folder that shows the drives letter and documents does not display correctly.

However, after reboot those locked file can be edited and the rest of the problem folder will show more detailed information. Its a bit problematic to constantly have to reboot to rename or delete files. So... nobody have any ideas what is causing the error or how to stop it?

 

[Callender]

Searchprotocolhost.exe seems to be something to do with Windows Search. I can't help with that as I keep Windows Search disabled.

However - when trying to delete a file if you get a "locked and in use" message you should really see what is locking the file.

You can use:

ProcessExplorer

Right click Process Explorer icon and choose "run as administrator"
On the toolbar, find the gunsight icon.
Drag the icon and drop it on the open file or folder that is locked.
The executable that is using the file will be highlighted in the Process Explorer main display list.

Or try LockHunter