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STATUS_CANNOT_EXECUTE_FILE_IN_TRANSACTION
Execution is blocked until the transacted modification is resolved
STATUS_CANNOT_EXECUTE_FILE_IN_TRANSACTION appears when a file is open for modification in an unresolved transaction and another open asks for execute access. TxF allows isolated modification, but it cannot safely expose the changing image as executable code in that state.
This often affects installers, updaters, service managers, and self-updating applications that write an executable and then try to run or load it before the transaction has completed.
What to check
- Whether the file is still open through a transacted write handle.
- Attempts to create a process, load a DLL, map an image section, or scan executable metadata before commit.
- Whether all transacted handles were closed before commit or rollback.
- Whether the launch/load should be delayed until the final committed file is visible.
Useful distinction
This is not the same as a signature failure or invalid image format. The file may be valid after commit; the problem is trying to execute while the transaction outcome is still unresolved.
References
- Microsoft: Transactional NTFS overview
- Microsoft: How to use Transactional NTFS
- Microsoft: Kernel Transaction Manager
- Microsoft Open Specifications: NTSTATUS values
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