PowerToys MouseWithoutBorders multiple threads conflicting access to settings.json

Microsoft PowerToys version

0.70.0

Installation method

WinGet

Running as admin

Yes

Area(s) with issue?

Mouse Without Borders

Steps to reproduce

I'm not sure what is triggering the problem, but I have been configuring & using MouseWithoutBorders on three machines, and had the settings open when I noticed errors in Event Viewer, which are also reported in the MouseWithoutBorders log file.

✔️ Expected Behavior

No error messages.

❌ Actual Behavior

procmon for Image contains MouseWithoutBorders, Path ends with settings.json:

MouseWithoutBorders Log (from around the time of the procmon trace):

The process cannot access the file '...settings.json' because it is being used by another process, repeated many times.


[20:42:12.1904801] [Error] MouseWithoutBordersSettings::Save
Exception encountered while saving MouseWithoutBorders settings.
The process cannot access the file 'C:\Users\david\AppData\Local\Microsoft\PowerToys\MouseWithoutBorders\settings.json' because it is being used by another process.
Inner exception:
Stack trace:
at Microsoft.Win32.SafeHandles.SafeFileHandle.CreateFile(String fullPath, FileMode mode, FileAccess access, FileShare share, FileOptions options)
at Microsoft.Win32.SafeHandles.SafeFileHandle.Open(String fullPath, FileMode mode, FileAccess access, FileShare share, FileOptions options, Int64 preallocationSize, Nullable`1 unixCreateMode)
at System.IO.File.WriteToFile(String path, FileMode mode, String contents, Encoding encoding)
at Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Library.SettingsUtils.SaveSettings(String jsonSettings, String powertoy, String fileName)
[20:42:12.2441962] [Error] MouseWithoutBordersSettings::Save
Exception encountered while saving MouseWithoutBorders settings.
The process cannot access the file 'C:\Users\david\AppData\Local\Microsoft\PowerToys\MouseWithoutBorders\settings.json' because it is being used by another process.
Inner exception:
Stack trace:
at Microsoft.Win32.SafeHandles.SafeFileHandle.CreateFile(String fullPath, FileMode mode, FileAccess access, FileShare share, FileOptions options)
at Microsoft.Win32.SafeHandles.SafeFileHandle.Open(String fullPath, FileMode mode, FileAccess access, FileShare share, FileOptions options, Int64 preallocationSize, Nullable`1 unixCreateMode)
at System.IO.File.WriteToFile(String path, FileMode mode, String contents, Encoding encoding)
at Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Library.SettingsUtils.SaveSettings(String jsonSettings, String powertoy, String fileName)
[20:42:12.2910031] [Error] MouseWithoutBordersSettings::Save
Exception encountered while saving MouseWithoutBorders settings.
The process cannot access the file 'C:\Users\david\AppData\Local\Microsoft\PowerToys\MouseWithoutBorders\settings.json' because it is being used by another process.
Inner exception:
Stack trace:
at Microsoft.Win32.SafeHandles.SafeFileHandle.CreateFile(String fullPath, FileMode mode, FileAccess access, FileShare share, FileOptions options)
at Microsoft.Win32.SafeHandles.SafeFileHandle.Open(String fullPath, FileMode mode, FileAccess access, FileShare share, FileOptions options, Int64 preallocationSize, Nullable`1 unixCreateMode)
at System.IO.File.WriteToFile(String path, FileMode mode, String contents, Encoding encoding)
at Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Library.SettingsUtils.SaveSettings(String jsonSettings, String powertoy, String fileName)
[20:42:12.3331874] [Error] MouseWithoutBordersSettings::Save
Exception encountered while saving MouseWithoutBorders settings.
The process cannot access the file 'C:\Users\david\AppData\Local\Microsoft\PowerToys\MouseWithoutBorders\settings.json' because it is being used by another process.
Inner exception:
Stack trace:
at Microsoft.Win32.SafeHandles.SafeFileHandle.CreateFile(String fullPath, FileMode mode, FileAccess access, FileShare share, FileOptions options)
at Microsoft.Win32.SafeHandles.SafeFileHandle.Open(String fullPath, FileMode mode, FileAccess access, FileShare share, FileOptions options, Int64 preallocationSize, Nullable`1 unixCreateMode)
at System.IO.File.WriteToFile(String path, FileMode mode, String contents, Encoding encoding)
at Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Library.SettingsUtils.SaveSettings(String jsonSettings, String powertoy, String fileName)
[20:42:12.3341173] [Error] MouseWithoutBordersSettings::Save
Exception encountered while saving MouseWithoutBorders settings.
The process cannot access the file 'C:\Users\david\AppData\Local\Microsoft\PowerToys\MouseWithoutBorders\settings.json' because it is being used by another process.
Inner exception:
Stack trace:
at Microsoft.Win32.SafeHandles.SafeFileHandle.CreateFile(String fullPath, FileMode mode, FileAccess access, FileShare share, FileOptions options)
at Microsoft.Win32.SafeHandles.SafeFileHandle.Open(String fullPath, FileMode mode, FileAccess access, FileShare share, FileOptions options, Int64 preallocationSize, Nullable`1 unixCreateMode)
at System.IO.File.WriteToFile(String path, FileMode mode, String contents, Encoding encoding)
at Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Library.SettingsUtils.SaveSettings(String jsonSettings, String powertoy, String fileName)
[20:42:12.3867593] [Error] MouseWithoutBordersSettings::Save
Exception encountered while saving MouseWithoutBorders settings.
The process cannot access the file 'C:\Users\david\AppData\Local\Microsoft\PowerToys\MouseWithoutBorders\settings.json' because it is being used by another process.
Inner exception:
Stack trace:
at Microsoft.Win32.SafeHandles.SafeFileHandle.CreateFile(String fullPath, FileMode mode, FileAccess access, FileShare share, FileOptions options)
at Microsoft.Win32.SafeHandles.SafeFileHandle.Open(String fullPath, FileMode mode, FileAccess access, FileShare share, FileOptions options, Int64 preallocationSize, Nullable`1 unixCreateMode)
at System.IO.File.WriteToFile(String path, FileMode mode, String contents, Encoding encoding)
at Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Library.SettingsUtils.SaveSettings(String jsonSettings, String powertoy, String fileName)
[20:42:12.4344280] [Error] MouseWithoutBordersSettings::Save
Exception encountered while saving MouseWithoutBorders settings.
The process cannot access the file 'C:\Users\david\AppData\Local\Microsoft\PowerToys\MouseWithoutBorders\settings.json' because it is being used by another process.
Inner exception:
Stack trace:
at Microsoft.Win32.SafeHandles.SafeFileHandle.CreateFile(String fullPath, FileMode mode, FileAccess access, FileShare share, FileOptions options)
at Microsoft.Win32.SafeHandles.SafeFileHandle.Open(String fullPath, FileMode mode, FileAccess access, FileShare share, FileOptions options, Int64 preallocationSize, Nullable`1 unixCreateMode)
at System.IO.File.WriteToFile(String path, FileMode mode, String contents, Encoding encoding)
at Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Library.SettingsUtils.SaveSettings(String jsonSettings, String powertoy, String fileName)
[20:42:12.4788106] [Error] MouseWithoutBordersSettings::Save
Exception encountered while saving MouseWithoutBorders settings.
The process cannot access the file 'C:\Users\david\AppData\Local\Microsoft\PowerToys\MouseWithoutBorders\settings.json' because it is being used by another process.
Inner exception:
Stack trace:
at Microsoft.Win32.SafeHandles.SafeFileHandle.CreateFile(String fullPath, FileMode mode, FileAccess access, FileShare share, FileOptions options)
at Microsoft.Win32.SafeHandles.SafeFileHandle.Open(String fullPath, FileMode mode, FileAccess access, FileShare share, FileOptions options, Int64 preallocationSize, Nullable`1 unixCreateMode)
at System.IO.File.WriteToFile(String path, FileMode mode, String contents, Encoding encoding)
at Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Library.SettingsUtils.SaveSettings(String jsonSettings, String powertoy, String fileName)
[20:42:12.4794601] [Error] MouseWithoutBordersSettings::Save
Exception encountered while saving MouseWithoutBorders settings.
The process cannot access the file 'C:\Users\david\AppData\Local\Microsoft\PowerToys\MouseWithoutBorders\settings.json' because it is being used by another process.
Inner exception:
Stack trace:
at Microsoft.Win32.SafeHandles.SafeFileHandle.CreateFile(String fullPath, FileMode mode, FileAccess access, FileShare share, FileOptions options)
at Microsoft.Win32.SafeHandles.SafeFileHandle.Open(String fullPath, FileMode mode, FileAccess access, FileShare share, FileOptions options, Int64 preallocationSize, Nullable`1 unixCreateMode)
at System.IO.File.WriteToFile(String path, FileMode mode, String contents, Encoding encoding)
at Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Library.SettingsUtils.SaveSettings(String jsonSettings, String powertoy, String fileName)
[20:42:12.5320794] [Error] MouseWithoutBordersSettings::Save
Exception encountered while saving MouseWithoutBorders settings.
The process cannot access the file 'C:\Users\david\AppData\Local\Microsoft\PowerToys\MouseWithoutBorders\settings.json' because it is being used by another process.
Inner exception:
Stack trace:
at Microsoft.Win32.SafeHandles.SafeFileHandle.CreateFile(String fullPath, FileMode mode, FileAccess access, FileShare share, FileOptions options)
at Microsoft.Win32.SafeHandles.SafeFileHandle.Open(String fullPath, FileMode mode, FileAccess access, FileShare share, FileOptions options, Int64 preallocationSize, Nullable`1 unixCreateMode)
at System.IO.File.WriteToFile(String path, FileMode mode, String contents, Encoding encoding)
at Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Library.SettingsUtils.SaveSettings(String jsonSettings, String powertoy, String fileName)
[20:42:12.5329877] [Error] MouseWithoutBordersSettings::Save
Exception encountered while saving MouseWithoutBorders settings.
The process cannot access the file 'C:\Users\david\AppData\Local\Microsoft\PowerToys\MouseWithoutBorders\settings.json' because it is being used by another process.
Inner exception:
Stack trace:
at Microsoft.Win32.SafeHandles.SafeFileHandle.CreateFile(String fullPath, FileMode mode, FileAccess access, FileShare share, FileOptions options)
at Microsoft.Win32.SafeHandles.SafeFileHandle.Open(String fullPath, FileMode mode, FileAccess access, FileShare share, FileOptions options, Int64 preallocationSize, Nullable`1 unixCreateMode)
at System.IO.File.WriteToFile(String path, FileMode mode, String contents, Encoding encoding)
at Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Library.SettingsUtils.SaveSettings(String jsonSettings, String powertoy, String fileName)
[20:42:12.5776401] [Error] MouseWithoutBordersSettings::Save
Exception encountered while saving MouseWithoutBorders settings.
The process cannot access the file 'C:\Users\david\AppData\Local\Microsoft\PowerToys\MouseWithoutBorders\settings.json' because it is being used by another process.
Inner exception:
Stack trace:
at Microsoft.Win32.SafeHandles.SafeFileHandle.CreateFile(String fullPath, FileMode mode, FileAccess access, FileShare share, FileOptions options)
at Microsoft.Win32.SafeHandles.SafeFileHandle.Open(String fullPath, FileMode mode, FileAccess access, FileShare share, FileOptions options, Int64 preallocationSize, Nullable`1 unixCreateMode)
at System.IO.File.WriteToFile(String path, FileMode mode, String contents, Encoding encoding)
at Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Library.SettingsUtils.SaveSettings(String jsonSettings, String powertoy, String fileName)
[20:42:12.6682178] [Error] MouseWithoutBordersSettings::Save
Exception encountered while saving MouseWithoutBorders settings.
The process cannot access the file 'C:\Users\david\AppData\Local\Microsoft\PowerToys\MouseWithoutBorders\settings.json' because it is being used by another process.
Inner exception:
Stack trace:
at Microsoft.Win32.SafeHandles.SafeFileHandle.CreateFile(String fullPath, FileMode mode, FileAccess access, FileShare share, FileOptions options)
at Microsoft.Win32.SafeHandles.SafeFileHandle.Open(String fullPath, FileMode mode, FileAccess access, FileShare share, FileOptions options, Int64 preallocationSize, Nullable`1 unixCreateMode)
at System.IO.File.WriteToFile(String path, FileMode mode, String contents, Encoding encoding)
at Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Library.SettingsUtils.SaveSettings(String jsonSettings, String powertoy, String fileName)
[20:42:12.7419509] [Error] MouseWithoutBordersSettings::Save
Exception encountered while saving MouseWithoutBorders settings.
The process cannot access the file 'C:\Users\david\AppData\Local\Microsoft\PowerToys\MouseWithoutBorders\settings.json' because it is being used by another process.
Inner exception:
Stack trace:
at Microsoft.Win32.SafeHandles.SafeFileHandle.CreateFile(String fullPath, FileMode mode, FileAccess access, FileShare share, FileOptions options)
at Microsoft.Win32.SafeHandles.SafeFileHandle.Open(String fullPath, FileMode mode, FileAccess access, FileShare share, FileOptions options, Int64 preallocationSize, Nullable`1 unixCreateMode)
at System.IO.File.WriteToFile(String path, FileMode mode, String contents, Encoding encoding)
at Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Library.SettingsUtils.SaveSettings(String jsonSettings, String powertoy, String fileName)
[20:42:12.8057661] [Error] MouseWithoutBordersSettings::Save
Exception encountered while saving MouseWithoutBorders settings.
The process cannot access the file 'C:\Users\david\AppData\Local\Microsoft\PowerToys\MouseWithoutBorders\settings.json' because it is being used by another process.
Inner exception:
Stack trace:
at Microsoft.Win32.SafeHandles.SafeFileHandle.CreateFile(String fullPath, FileMode mode, FileAccess access, FileShare share, FileOptions options)
at Microsoft.Win32.SafeHandles.SafeFileHandle.Open(String fullPath, FileMode mode, FileAccess access, FileShare share, FileOptions options, Int64 preallocationSize, Nullable`1 unixCreateMode)
at System.IO.File.WriteToFile(String path, FileMode mode, String contents, Encoding encoding)
at Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Library.SettingsUtils.SaveSettings(String jsonSettings, String powertoy, String fileName)
[20:42:12.8098926] [Error] MouseWithoutBordersSettings::Save
Exception encountered while saving MouseWithoutBorders settings.
The process cannot access the file 'C:\Users\david\AppData\Local\Microsoft\PowerToys\MouseWithoutBorders\settings.json' because it is being used by another process.
Inner exception:
Stack trace:
at Microsoft.Win32.SafeHandles.SafeFileHandle.CreateFile(String fullPath, FileMode mode, FileAccess access, FileShare share, FileOptions options)
at Microsoft.Win32.SafeHandles.SafeFileHandle.Open(String fullPath, FileMode mode, FileAccess access, FileShare share, FileOptions options, Int64 preallocationSize, Nullable`1 unixCreateMode)
at System.IO.File.WriteToFile(String path, FileMode mode, String contents, Encoding encoding)
at Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Library.SettingsUtils.SaveSettings(String jsonSettings, String powertoy, String fileName)
[20:42:12.8716513] [Error] MouseWithoutBordersSettings::Save
Exception encountered while saving MouseWithoutBorders settings.
The process cannot access the file 'C:\Users\david\AppData\Local\Microsoft\PowerToys\MouseWithoutBorders\settings.json' because it is being used by another process.
Inner exception:
Stack trace:
at Microsoft.Win32.SafeHandles.SafeFileHandle.CreateFile(String fullPath, FileMode mode, FileAccess access, FileShare share, FileOptions options)
at Microsoft.Win32.SafeHandles.SafeFileHandle.Open(String fullPath, FileMode mode, FileAccess access, FileShare share, FileOptions options, Int64 preallocationSize, Nullable`1 unixCreateMode)
at System.IO.File.WriteToFile(String path, FileMode mode, String contents, Encoding encoding)
at Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Library.SettingsUtils.SaveSettings(String jsonSettings, String powertoy, String fileName)
[20:42:12.9188104] [Error] MouseWithoutBordersSettings::Save
Exception encountered while saving MouseWithoutBorders settings.
The process cannot access the file 'C:\Users\david\AppData\Local\Microsoft\PowerToys\MouseWithoutBorders\settings.json' because it is being used by another process.
Inner exception:
Stack trace:
at Microsoft.Win32.SafeHandles.SafeFileHandle.CreateFile(String fullPath, FileMode mode, FileAccess access, FileShare share, FileOptions options)
at Microsoft.Win32.SafeHandles.SafeFileHandle.Open(String fullPath, FileMode mode, FileAccess access, FileShare share, FileOptions options, Int64 preallocationSize, Nullable`1 unixCreateMode)
at System.IO.File.WriteToFile(String path, FileMode mode, String contents, Encoding encoding)
at Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Library.SettingsUtils.SaveSettings(String jsonSettings, String powertoy, String fileName)
[20:42:12.9910281] [Error] MouseWithoutBordersSettings::Save
Exception encountered while saving MouseWithoutBorders settings.
The process cannot access the file 'C:\Users\david\AppData\Local\Microsoft\PowerToys\MouseWithoutBorders\settings.json' because it is being used by another process.
Inner exception:
Stack trace:
at Microsoft.Win32.SafeHandles.SafeFileHandle.CreateFile(String fullPath, FileMode mode, FileAccess access, FileShare share, FileOptions options)
at Microsoft.Win32.SafeHandles.SafeFileHandle.Open(String fullPath, FileMode mode, FileAccess access, FileShare share, FileOptions options, Int64 preallocationSize, Nullable`1 unixCreateMode)
at System.IO.File.WriteToFile(String path, FileMode mode, String contents, Encoding encoding)
at Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Library.SettingsUtils.SaveSettings(String jsonSettings, String powertoy, String fileName)
[20:42:12.9915978] [Error] MouseWithoutBordersSettings::Save
Exception encountered while saving MouseWithoutBorders settings.
The process cannot access the file 'C:\Users\david\AppData\Local\Microsoft\PowerToys\MouseWithoutBorders\settings.json' because it is being used by another process.
Inner exception:
Stack trace:
at Microsoft.Win32.SafeHandles.SafeFileHandle.CreateFile(String fullPath, FileMode mode, FileAccess access, FileShare share, FileOptions options)
at Microsoft.Win32.SafeHandles.SafeFileHandle.Open(String fullPath, FileMode mode, FileAccess access, FileShare share, FileOptions options, Int64 preallocationSize, Nullable`1 unixCreateMode)
at System.IO.File.WriteToFile(String path, FileMode mode, String contents, Encoding encoding)
at Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Library.SettingsUtils.SaveSettings(String jsonSettings, String powertoy, String fileName)
[20:42:13.0556116] [Error] MouseWithoutBordersSettings::Save
Exception encountered while saving MouseWithoutBorders settings.
The process cannot access the file 'C:\Users\david\AppData\Local\Microsoft\PowerToys\MouseWithoutBorders\settings.json' because it is being used by another process.
Inner exception:
Stack trace:
at Microsoft.Win32.SafeHandles.SafeFileHandle.CreateFile(String fullPath, FileMode mode, FileAccess access, FileShare share, FileOptions options)
at Microsoft.Win32.SafeHandles.SafeFileHandle.Open(String fullPath, FileMode mode, FileAccess access, FileShare share, FileOptions options, Int64 preallocationSize, Nullable`1 unixCreateMode)
at System.IO.File.WriteToFile(String path, FileMode mode, String contents, Encoding encoding)
at Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Library.SettingsUtils.SaveSettings(String jsonSettings, String powertoy, String fileName)
[20:42:13.1359485] [Error] MouseWithoutBordersSettings::Save
Exception encountered while saving MouseWithoutBorders settings.
The process cannot access the file 'C:\Users\david\AppData\Local\Microsoft\PowerToys\MouseWithoutBorders\settings.json' because it is being used by another process.
Inner exception:
Stack trace:
at Microsoft.Win32.SafeHandles.SafeFileHandle.CreateFile(String fullPath, FileMode mode, FileAccess access, FileShare share, FileOptions options)
at Microsoft.Win32.SafeHandles.SafeFileHandle.Open(String fullPath, FileMode mode, FileAccess access, FileShare share, FileOptions options, Int64 preallocationSize, Nullable`1 unixCreateMode)
at System.IO.File.WriteToFile(String path, FileMode mode, String contents, Encoding encoding)
at Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Library.SettingsUtils.SaveSettings(String jsonSettings, String powertoy, String fileName)
[20:42:13.1391849] [Error] MouseWithoutBordersSettings::Save
Exception encountered while saving MouseWithoutBorders settings.
The process cannot access the file 'C:\Users\david\AppData\Local\Microsoft\PowerToys\MouseWithoutBorders\settings.json' because it is being used by another process.
Inner exception:
Stack trace:
at Microsoft.Win32.SafeHandles.SafeFileHandle.CreateFile(String fullPath, FileMode mode, FileAccess access, FileShare share, FileOptions options)
at Microsoft.Win32.SafeHandles.SafeFileHandle.Open(String fullPath, FileMode mode, FileAccess access, FileShare share, FileOptions options, Int64 preallocationSize, Nullable`1 unixCreateMode)
at System.IO.File.WriteToFile(String path, FileMode mode, String contents, Encoding encoding)
at Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Library.SettingsUtils.SaveSettings(String jsonSettings, String powertoy, String fileName)
[20:42:13.1914971] [Error] MouseWithoutBordersSettings::Save
Exception encountered while saving MouseWithoutBorders settings.
The process cannot access the file 'C:\Users\david\AppData\Local\Microsoft\PowerToys\MouseWithoutBorders\settings.json' because it is being used by another process.
Inner exception:
Stack trace:
at Microsoft.Win32.SafeHandles.SafeFileHandle.CreateFile(String fullPath, FileMode mode, FileAccess access, FileShare share, FileOptions options)
at Microsoft.Win32.SafeHandles.SafeFileHandle.Open(String fullPath, FileMode mode, FileAccess access, FileShare share, FileOptions options, Int64 preallocationSize, Nullable`1 unixCreateMode)
at System.IO.File.WriteToFile(String path, FileMode mode, String contents, Encoding encoding)
at Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Library.SettingsUtils.SaveSettings(String jsonSettings, String powertoy, String fileName)
[20:42:13.2463655] [Error] MouseWithoutBordersSettings::Save
Exception encountered while saving MouseWithoutBorders settings.
The process cannot access the file 'C:\Users\david\AppData\Local\Microsoft\PowerToys\MouseWithoutBorders\settings.json' because it is being used by another process.
Inner exception:
Stack trace:
at Microsoft.Win32.SafeHandles.SafeFileHandle.CreateFile(String fullPath, FileMode mode, FileAccess access, FileShare share, FileOptions options)
at Microsoft.Win32.SafeHandles.SafeFileHandle.Open(String fullPath, FileMode mode, FileAccess access, FileShare share, FileOptions options, Int64 preallocationSize, Nullable`1 unixCreateMode)
at System.IO.File.WriteToFile(String path, FileMode mode, String contents, Encoding encoding)
at Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Library.SettingsUtils.SaveSettings(String jsonSettings, String powertoy, String fileName)
[20:42:13.3037688] [Error] MouseWithoutBordersSettings::Save
Exception encountered while saving MouseWithoutBorders settings.
The process cannot access the file 'C:\Users\david\AppData\Local\Microsoft\PowerToys\MouseWithoutBorders\settings.json' because it is being used by another process.
Inner exception:
Stack trace:
at Microsoft.Win32.SafeHandles.SafeFileHandle.CreateFile(String fullPath, FileMode mode, FileAccess access, FileShare share, FileOptions options)
at Microsoft.Win32.SafeHandles.SafeFileHandle.Open(String fullPath, FileMode mode, FileAccess access, FileShare share, FileOptions options, Int64 preallocationSize, Nullable`1 unixCreateMode)
at System.IO.File.WriteToFile(String path, FileMode mode, String contents, Encoding encoding)
at Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Library.SettingsUtils.SaveSettings(String jsonSettings, String powertoy, String fileName)
[20:42:13.3542964] [Error] MouseWithoutBordersSettings::Save
Exception encountered while saving MouseWithoutBorders settings.
The process cannot access the file 'C:\Users\david\AppData\Local\Microsoft\PowerToys\MouseWithoutBorders\settings.json' because it is being used by another process.
Inner exception:
Stack trace:
at Microsoft.Win32.SafeHandles.SafeFileHandle.CreateFile(String fullPath, FileMode mode, FileAccess access, FileShare share, FileOptions options)
at Microsoft.Win32.SafeHandles.SafeFileHandle.Open(String fullPath, FileMode mode, FileAccess access, FileShare share, FileOptions options, Int64 preallocationSize, Nullable`1 unixCreateMode)
at System.IO.File.WriteToFile(String path, FileMode mode, String contents, Encoding encoding)
at Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Library.SettingsUtils.SaveSettings(String jsonSettings, String powertoy, String fileName)
[20:42:13.3900095] [Error] MouseWithoutBordersSettings::Save
Exception encountered while saving MouseWithoutBorders settings.
The process cannot access the file 'C:\Users\david\AppData\Local\Microsoft\PowerToys\MouseWithoutBorders\settings.json' because it is being used by another process.
Inner exception:
Stack trace:
at Microsoft.Win32.SafeHandles.SafeFileHandle.CreateFile(String fullPath, FileMode mode, FileAccess access, FileShare share, FileOptions options)
at Microsoft.Win32.SafeHandles.SafeFileHandle.Open(String fullPath, FileMode mode, FileAccess access, FileShare share, FileOptions options, Int64 preallocationSize, Nullable`1 unixCreateMode)
at System.IO.File.WriteToFile(String path, FileMode mode, String contents, Encoding encoding)
at Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Library.SettingsUtils.SaveSettings(String jsonSettings, String powertoy, String fileName)
[20:42:13.4353965] [Error] MouseWithoutBordersSettings::Save
Exception encountered while saving MouseWithoutBorders settings.
The process cannot access the file 'C:\Users\david\AppData\Local\Microsoft\PowerToys\MouseWithoutBorders\settings.json' because it is being used by another process.
Inner exception:
Stack trace:
at Microsoft.Win32.SafeHandles.SafeFileHandle.CreateFile(String fullPath, FileMode mode, FileAccess access, FileShare share, FileOptions options)
at Microsoft.Win32.SafeHandles.SafeFileHandle.Open(String fullPath, FileMode mode, FileAccess access, FileShare share, FileOptions options, Int64 preallocationSize, Nullable`1 unixCreateMode)
at System.IO.File.WriteToFile(String path, FileMode mode, String contents, Encoding encoding)
at Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Library.SettingsUtils.SaveSettings(String jsonSettings, String powertoy, String fileName)
[20:42:13.4371754] [Error] MouseWithoutBordersSettings::Save
Exception encountered while saving MouseWithoutBorders settings.
The process cannot access the file 'C:\Users\david\AppData\Local\Microsoft\PowerToys\MouseWithoutBorders\settings.json' because it is being used by another process.
Inner exception:
Stack trace:
at Microsoft.Win32.SafeHandles.SafeFileHandle.CreateFile(String fullPath, FileMode mode, FileAccess access, FileShare share, FileOptions options)
at Microsoft.Win32.SafeHandles.SafeFileHandle.Open(String fullPath, FileMode mode, FileAccess access, FileShare share, FileOptions options, Int64 preallocationSize, Nullable`1 unixCreateMode)
at System.IO.File.WriteToFile(String path, FileMode mode, String contents, Encoding encoding)
at Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Library.SettingsUtils.SaveSettings(String jsonSettings, String powertoy, String fileName)
[20:42:13.4637630] [Error] MouseWithoutBordersSettings::Save
Exception encountered while saving MouseWithoutBorders settings.
The process cannot access the file 'C:\Users\david\AppData\Local\Microsoft\PowerToys\MouseWithoutBorders\settings.json' because it is being used by another process.
Inner exception:
Stack trace:
at Microsoft.Win32.SafeHandles.SafeFileHandle.CreateFile(String fullPath, FileMode mode, FileAccess access, FileShare share, FileOptions options)
at Microsoft.Win32.SafeHandles.SafeFileHandle.Open(String fullPath, FileMode mode, FileAccess access, FileShare share, FileOptions options, Int64 preallocationSize, Nullable`1 unixCreateMode)
at System.IO.File.WriteToFile(String path, FileMode mode, String contents, Encoding encoding)
at Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Library.SettingsUtils.SaveSettings(String jsonSettings, String powertoy, String fileName)
[20:42:13.4644760] [Error] MouseWithoutBordersSettings::Save
Exception encountered while saving MouseWithoutBorders settings.
The process cannot access the file 'C:\Users\david\AppData\Local\Microsoft\PowerToys\MouseWithoutBorders\settings.json' because it is being used by another process.
Inner exception:
Stack trace:
at Microsoft.Win32.SafeHandles.SafeFileHandle.CreateFile(String fullPath, FileMode mode, FileAccess access, FileShare share, FileOptions options)
at Microsoft.Win32.SafeHandles.SafeFileHandle.Open(String fullPath, FileMode mode, FileAccess access, FileShare share, FileOptions options, Int64 preallocationSize, Nullable`1 unixCreateMode)
at System.IO.File.WriteToFile(String path, FileMode mode, String contents, Encoding encoding)
at Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Library.SettingsUtils.SaveSettings(String jsonSettings, String powertoy, String fileName)
[20:42:13.4658061] [Error] MouseWithoutBordersSettings::Save
Exception encountered while saving MouseWithoutBorders settings.
The process cannot access the file 'C:\Users\david\AppData\Local\Microsoft\PowerToys\MouseWithoutBorders\settings.json' because it is being used by another process.
Inner exception:
Stack trace:
at Microsoft.Win32.SafeHandles.SafeFileHandle.CreateFile(String fullPath, FileMode mode, FileAccess access, FileShare share, FileOptions options)
at Microsoft.Win32.SafeHandles.SafeFileHandle.Open(String fullPath, FileMode mode, FileAccess access, FileShare share, FileOptions options, Int64 preallocationSize, Nullable`1 unixCreateMode)
at System.IO.File.WriteToFile(String path, FileMode mode, String contents, Encoding encoding)
at Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Library.SettingsUtils.SaveSettings(String jsonSettings, String powertoy, String fileName)
[20:42:13.4664756] [Error] MouseWithoutBordersSettings::Save
Exception encountered while saving MouseWithoutBorders settings.
The process cannot access the file 'C:\Users\david\AppData\Local\Microsoft\PowerToys\MouseWithoutBorders\settings.json' because it is being used by another process.
Inner exception:
Stack trace:
at Microsoft.Win32.SafeHandles.SafeFileHandle.CreateFile(String fullPath, FileMode mode, FileAccess access, FileShare share, FileOptions options)
at Microsoft.Win32.SafeHandles.SafeFileHandle.Open(String fullPath, FileMode mode, FileAccess access, FileShare share, FileOptions options, Int64 preallocationSize, Nullable`1 unixCreateMode)
at System.IO.File.WriteToFile(String path, FileMode mode, String contents, Encoding encoding)
at Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Library.SettingsUtils.SaveSettings(String jsonSettings, String powertoy, String fileName)

Other Software

Windows 11 22H2 22621.1778 and 22621.1702 both show a large number of errors.

May 31 '23 20:05 dtaylor84

I'm having the same issue as yourself. I have used MWB in the past a while ago before it came to powertoys and never had issues like this.

I think I have narrowed the problem down but haven't tested it to re-create the issue again yet.

I believe the issue is created by after first activating/initialising mwb for use, then sometime after that activating the "Use Service" switch (the one that requires administrator permission) which is just after the device layout section + then also activating the "Show the original Mouse Without Borders UI" under the "Troubleshooting" section right at the end.

If you look inside task manager in the details section and have a path or command line column you will see two instances of the PowerToys.MouseWithoutBorders.exe service with the only difference in the command line of each being "Winlogon" and "default" - I assume that's supposed to ascertain between a standard service and and one with administrator permission.

The .exe's are located below -

C:\Users\George\AppData\Local\PowerToys - contains PowerToys.MouseWithoutBorders.exe - PowerToys.MouseWithoutBordersHelper.exe - PowerToys.MouseWithoutBordersService.exe alongside most other power toys executables.

C:\Users\George\AppData\Local\Microsoft\PowerToys\MouseWithoutBorders - contains settings.json and some logs

C:\Windows\System32\config\systemprofile\AppData\Local\Microsoft\PowerToys\MouseWithoutBorders\Logs\0.72.0.0 - contains logs but in quite more detail than the ones in my own appdata local folder - but also seems like it's possible that once i initialised the administrator service that the logs were then moved to this profile.

Anyway I hope this can help you gain some more understanding.

Cheers

Aug 05 '23 14:08 HTPLN

Hello, I have the exact same issue, I also see two Process for PowerToys MouseWithoutBorders which I don't know why it's the case.

I am also running MWB as a service and PowerToys as administrator so I am wondering if that is at play. I haven't tried to unsintall and install PowerToys on both machines.


gps PowerToys*

 NPM(K)    PM(M)      WS(M)     CPU(s)      Id  SI ProcessName
 ------    -----      -----     ------      --  -- -----------
     32    10.27      46.20       0.17   35712   1 PowerToys
     12    18.14      29.07       0.06   47784   1 PowerToys.AlwaysOnTop
     43    11.91      44.61       0.08   17120   1 PowerToys.Awake
     76    71.77     135.54       0.16   48116   1 PowerToys.ColorPickerUI
     11    16.77      26.11       0.00   21280   1 PowerToys.CropAndLock
     20    81.92      65.93       0.09   43252   1 PowerToys.FancyZones
      9    14.93      22.26       0.03   28404   1 PowerToys.KeyboardManagerEngine
     59    18.81      70.79       0.22    2128   1 PowerToys.MouseWithoutBorders
     78    32.03      96.57       1.58   33128   1 PowerToys.MouseWithoutBorders
     52    19.35      64.41       0.55   40448   1 PowerToys.MouseWithoutBordersHelper
     89    97.83     180.89       0.55   47732   1 PowerToys.Peek.UI
     73    89.18     147.75      12.20   37964   1 PowerToys.PowerAccent
    122   201.92     287.00      20.44   16308   1 PowerToys.PowerLauncher
     43    13.07      49.08       0.05    8324   1 PowerToys.PowerOCR

Sep 26 '23 14:09 nmofonseca

This is still an issue as of Dec 23, 2023.

Dec 23 '23 11:12 asheroto

Ping. 😊 Still an issue on latest version. Sometimes floods the event logs....

No other process using it except MouseWithoutBorders...

Feb 02 '24 17:02 asheroto

Hi, I also see an exception. I noticed it under DbgView.exe - see screenshot. The exception is thrown by the instance with PID 13188 (with parameter 'default').