fatal error LNK1168 cannont open EXE for writing

[bmchenrync]

I recall this issue from way back, haven't encountered in a while

However

i finally moved to win 11 (all worked fine on win10)

on win11 machine when recompiling after walking through code and exiting

the debugger i am guessing does NOT properly release the exe

i have a few silly workarounds of exiting, logging out, or  standing on head 

However

There must be an easier resolution?

surprised search didn't bring this up since it was BIG many years ago

thanks in advance for any hints

brian

[bmchenrync]

adding running latest IFORT on Visual Studio 2022 

for some reason it locks down the debug exe so can't rebuild

[andrew_4619]

In task manager is the exe still active? Use a application like "lockhunter" if necessary set a prebuild task to unlock the exe.

[bmchenrync]

will check out lockhunter. but no, the exe is not still active.

But

the project has 3 DLLs and expecting one of them win11 isn't releasing

or

MSVS 2022 isn't releasing since doesn't occur on win10/msvs 2019.

thanks for the tip will keep digging

[bmchenrync · Accepted solution]

soooo....

Update: Visual Studio had a major update Version 17.14.9 (July 2025)

I just installed and it now seems to release all files so can walk thru debug and then recompile