restartmgr

Python ctypes bindings for the Windows Restart Manager API rstrtmgr.dll). Find out which processes are locking a file - and optionally shut them down and restart them - all from pure Python, no C extension required.

Windows only - calls rstrtmgr.dll directly via ctypes. Zero runtime dependencies.

Installation

uv add restartmgr

or

pip install restartmgr

Python 3.12+ and Windows are required.

Quick start

Which processes lock a file?

from pathlib import Path
from restartmgr import who_locks

lockers = who_locks(Path(r"C:\path\to\locked_file.txt"))

for p in lockers:
    print(f"PID {p.pid}  {p.app_name}  ({p.app_type.name})")

Detailed result with reboot reason

from restartmgr import get_locking_processes

result = get_locking_processes(r"C:\file_a.txt", r"C:\file_b.txt")

print(f"Reboot reason: {result.reboot_reason.name}")
for p in result.processes:
    print(f"  {p.pid}  {p.app_name}  restartable={p.restartable}")

Full session lifecycle

from restartmgr import RmSession, RmShutdownType

with RmSession() as session:
    session.register_files([r"C:\path\to\file.txt"])

    # Query which processes hold a lock
    infos, reboot_reason = session.get_list()
    for info in infos:
        print(info.Process.dwProcessId, info.strAppName)

    # Shut down those processes
    session.shutdown(
        action_flags=RmShutdownType.FORCE_SHUTDOWN,
    )

    # ... do your work on the file ...

    # Restart the previously shut-down processes
    session.restart()

License

MIT - see LICENSE.

About Modding Forge

restartmgr was built for the Python tooling powering Modding Forge - a community dedicated to Skyrim modding. If you enjoy modding or want to connect with other modders, come say hi!