Windows locks Confluence install files during Confluence upgrade using the installer
Platform notice: Server and Data Center only. This article only applies to Atlassian products on the Server and Data Center platforms.
Support for Server* products ended on February 15th 2024. If you are running a Server product, you can visit the Atlassian Server end of support announcement to review your migration options.
*Except Fisheye and Crucible
Problem
When attempting to upgrade Confluence using Confluence Windows Installer, you might get the warning that some Confluence install files are locked by another process and the upgrade cannot proceed.
If you ignore that message, Confluence will not be upgraded properly and you will encounter errors and your instance might not start.
You should NOT ignore that message.
Diagnostic Steps
Use Process Explorer Tool to find out which process is locking the file/folder.
Cause
A Windows executable called conime.exe is the console input method editor associated procedures, allows the user to use the standard keyboard to enter the complex characters and symbols. conime.exe is a Windows system file. conime.exe locks some files in Confluence install directory and does not allow Confluence installer to upgrade those files.
Resolution
Kill conime.exe from either Windows Task Manager or from Process Explorer Tool and run Confluence windows installer again.
The installer should be able to upgrade Confluence install files.