Exiftool Unable to Open File to Write

[PandDLong]

Since upgrading to IMatch 2025, I get this error quite often.  I write back the metadata for a handful of files and there will be one or two that get the dreaded 'yellow triangle'.

The output panel for Exiftool shows:

<<
----- Runtime: 266 ms.
Error opening C:/Users/micha/Pictures/Memories - iMatch/1940 Decade/1940-44 General/1942-07-07 02a p  Anneli with Sheep in the Boat.jpg for writing
>>

If I retry one, two or five times, eventually it works.  


The IMatch executable and the database folders are excluded from virus-checking.  Do I need to exclude all folders with files managed by IMatch?  (Admittedly I upgraded to a new computer just before moving to IMatch 2025 so perhaps I had done that on my previous computer)


Michael

[Mario]

I have no idea. I have never seen this and so far you are the only user reporting this.
Does IMatch flag the file with a yellow exclamation sign afterwards?

Did you follow TODO: New File Name for the IMatch Executable

If your virus checker considers ExifTool a thread (he should tell you so!) this might be a reason.
Or, maybe it does an on-access scan, blocking the file just when ExifTool writes it?

ExifTool creates a copy of the target file and performs all metadata operations on it. When this is successful, ExifTool deletes the original file and renames the temporary file. If a virus checker interferes with that, anything can go wrong.

[PandDLong]

Yes, I get the yellow exclamation sign.

I have followed the TODO list.  My virus checker is Windows Defender which doesn't seem to cause issues for others once they've followed your instructions.


It is clearly, something specific to my system so I will have to figure it out (or just live with this irritant).  I may ask on the exiftool forum - I find it is pretty good.

Thanks for your help.

Michael