How to release file lock for Microsoft Office document which is Locked for editing by another user

Just to share, if you ever open up an Excel or Winword file (esp shared ones) and being prompted as titled although no one seems to be opening the file.

Try the following,

Approach the guys who is the ‘another user’, and if he/she is on Windows 7,

• Open up windows explorer
• Go to Menu -> Tools -> Folder Options
• Select the View tab.
• Uncheck the “Show preview handlers in preview pane” and click on “Apply”
• Check the “Show preview handlers in preview pane” and click on “Apply”

Suspect the preview handler might have some kind of a deadlock, thus unable to release the lock on the file.
Hope it helps.