Contributor: DANIEL MALTAROLLI Using Windows's LockFileEx and UnlockFileEx functions with the LOCKFILE_EXCLUSIVE_LOCK flag enabled you can lock exclusively a byte range within your file. But in your case, it's easier and more efficient create the file using Windows's OpenFile this way: hFile := OpenFile(FileName, ofStruct, OF_CREATE or OF_READWRITE or OF_SHARE_EXCLUSIVE); You'll find more in WIN32.HLP. Good luck! Daniel Maltarolli.