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ERROR_BUSY
The resource is busy
ERROR_BUSY is a general Win32 indication that a resource is active, locked, or otherwise unable to transition while another operation is in progress. The exact resource may be a device, volume, process-related object, or subsystem state.
What to check
- Identify the specific object and operation that returned the code.
- Check for outstanding handles, active transactions, pending I/O, or maintenance operations.
- Use documented readiness or completion notifications when available.
- Apply bounded retries only when transient busy states are expected.
How to handle it
Wait for the owning operation to finish or release the resource cleanly. Do not force-close unrelated handles merely to make the retry succeed.
References
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