This enumeration defines how two different processes can access the same file. If one process is using ReadWrite or Write , no other process can use the file. Similarly, if another process is using Read , then other processes can read from the file, but not write to it. public enum FileShare { None = 0x00000000 , Read = 0x00000001 , Write = 0x00000002 , ReadWrite = 0x00000003 , Inheritable = 0x00000010 } HierarchySystem.Object System.ValueType System.Enum(System.IComparable, System.IFormattable , System.IConvertible) FileShare Passed ToFile.Open( ) , FileInfo.Open( ) , FileStream.FileStream( ) , System.IO.IsolatedStorage.IsolatedStorageFileStream.IsolatedStorageFileStream( ) |