Can I simply 'read' a file that is in use?

Question

I am trying to use a StreamReader to read a file, but it is always in use by another process so I get this error:

The process cannot access the file

Answer 1

try the below code.

FileStream fileStr = File.Open(, FileMode.Open, FileAccess.Read, FileShare.ReadWrite);
fileStream = new StreamReader(fileStr);

I have tried it on Windows XP. If the file is already open in write mode by some other process & it has not specified sharing rights, you will still be able to open the file in read mode.

Disclaimer: It works, but then, I am not sure if you should use it in production code. I am not yet able to find any formal documentation that says it should work.