git - Unlink of file Failed. Should I try again?

Question

Something wrong is going on with one of the files in my local git repository. When I'm trying to change the branch it says:

Unlink of file 'templates/media/container.html' failed. Should I try again? (y/n)

What could that mean?

Answer 1

This could mean that another program is using the file, which is preventing git from "moving" the file into or out of the working directory when you are attempting to change branches.

I have had this happen on Windows Vista where eclipse is the program "using" the file. The file may not be actually open in eclipse but may have been opened by a process run by eclipse.

In this event, try closing the file in any applications that might have used it. If that doesn't work, completely exit any applications which may have opened the file.