Members of a shared folder can open the same files simultaneously. Depending on editing permissions, multiple members may also be able to edit the same file simultaneously, and save changes. If this happens, an editing conflict occurs and SharePoint Workspace takes the following steps to preserve everyone's work, and to provide a path for resolving the conflict:
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The member who first saves changes retains the original file.
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For members who subsequently save changes, the file is saved in a new "conflict" version of the file. For example, "Karen Berg's copy" in the picture below is a conflict file.
When such editing conflicts occur, members should communicate to determine how they can best resolve or merge their files.
Special cases
Most software applications place a "lock" on files when users open them for editing. SharePoint Workspace relies on detecting these locks for handling editing conflicts. Some applications, such as Notepad, do not use this locking mechanism. In these cases, if multiple people open and edit the same file simultaneously, only the changes that are saved last are retained, and no conflict document is created.
