Can't read Excel file that is already open

Hello KNIMErs,

Two weeks ago KNIME 4.7.x was able to open Excel file with Excel Reade node even if the file was open in Excel application. Then, my computer crashed (which was bad thing) and a couple of good things happend afterwards:

1. My computer was repaired with the entire office suite installed from scratch.

2. Company I work for changed antivirus software.

3. I upgraded KNIME to 5.2 version.

And now, when I try to open Excel file that is already open, KNIME informs me that ‘The process cannot access the file because it is being used by another process’. I’m not sure if the root-cause relates to KNIME or to other computer/company settings.

Is it possible to change any preferences or configurations in KNIME to work with already open Excel files?

If so, what should I do?

Thank you for any suggestions in advance,

Kaz