BR: Data destroyed

[fromwithin]

I just did an "Edit Audio File->Basic editing operations...->Make mono".

When it tried to do it, it said something like "The file is open in another audio application" (which it wasn't).

My original source file has been deleted. Gone forever, data lost.

[HansP]

project management 101
you don't ever work on original data, everything in the work directory is a copy.
but on another note, the oldest versions would close files when the DAW is idle.
then, the external audio editor could write back to the original file, and I start play and here we are.
later (here:T7), this changed, files are reserved, and I have to go through a hassle, to care about copying and renaming the stuff I want to edit.
seems, internal management of editing tasks lost track of the changes and still assumes that files are closed, while we click around in the edit menus.
but Windows has its share in the chaos: aside of audio work, the "Explorer" and probably the "index service" keep files open like an idiot. I can't remove USB sticks etc., have to use tools like "Unlocker". at least it tells the culprit, almost every time it is Explorer.

[fromwithin]

I have a raw external copy of the file and I recorded with two mics at the same time, so I was intending on using the set of recordings that doesn't have the destroyed file anyway.

Your comments about editing with an external editor is the exact opposite of my experience. I couldn't edit using an external editor until Waveform 9 as I could never write back the changes due to Waveform having the files locked. Now it works fine.

[HansP]

with Tracktion 1 it worked, some versions later it failed, now would be great when it is solved.
but the internal editor feature may be a couple of program lines above that...