PRB: Users with Proper Permissions Cannot GET Files on FTP Server (304334)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Internet Information Services 5.0
This article was previously published under Q304334

SYMPTOMS

When a File Transfer Protocol (FTP) client with proper permissions attempts to GET a file on an Internet Information Services (IIS) FTP server, you may receive the following error message:
550 filename.xxx: Access is denied

CAUSE

The file was previously deleted, but it remains on the FTP server because a handle to the file was open at the time of the deletion attempt. The file is actually pending deletion. This can result in a situation in which the Inetinfo process has an open file handle that prevents access of a file by any other local or remote user, and in which users are not disconnected on timeout. For an example of how this can occur, see the "More Information" section.

For additional information, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

159199 A File Cannot Be Deleted or Accessed on an NTFS Volume

RESOLUTION

Use Move.exe or the MoveFileEx API to move the file to another location before you delete it, so that the file does not appear in the folder contents on the FTP server.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in Microsoft Internet Information Services 5.0.

MORE INFORMATION

The FTP connection timeout does not close handles that are opened by a user. When a connection timeout occurs, the FTP server checks for a transfer in progress, which implies that a file handle is open. The FTP server resets the connection timeout when a transfer is in progress, so the handle remains open and the user remains connected.

Steps to Reproduce Behavior

  1. In Internet Explorer, open a .zip file by using FTP and leave the download dialog box open.
  2. FTP by using Ftp.exe and GET the file. Note that the file downloads as expected.
  3. At a command prompt, type del c:\inetpub\ftproot\file.zip. The file appears to have been deleted.
  4. FTP by using Ftp.exe and download the file. You receive a "550: access denied" error message.
  5. At a command prompt, attempt to delete the file. You again receive the "access denied" error message.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:6/25/2004
Keywords:kbfix kbprb kbWin2000PreSP3Fix KB304334
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