".lock" files in WoW Data folder: Cataclysm Content Lock?

[uberpwnage99]

Hi, everyone. Long time leecher, finally posting some possibly useful stuff. I have not tested anything about this yet, so it's just a "theory" for now (which is why I didn't want to post it in the Exploits section.)

After updating to patch 4.0.3, I noticed that in my Data folder (World of Warcraft/Data) some zero KB files ending in ".lock". Specifically: wow-update-oldworld-13154.MPQ.lock; wow-update-oldworld-13286.MPQ.lock; OldWorld-enUS.MPQ.lock (under enUS). Each of the corresponding MPQ files were added in the 4.0.3 update. So are these files the "lock" keeping players from accessing certain content (like flying in Azeroth and new zones like Uldum) before December 7th?

Just a thought, I have tested anything myself. (Besides, I share my B.net account with my 56-year-old dad, and I wouldn't want to get both of us banned.) This may or may not mean anything at all, seeing as it was unusually easy to find. If anyone tests this and finds that the exploit works, please confirm with info/pics here (and possibly get a moderator to move this to the Exploits section). Until then, this is just a theory.

[MaiN]

No. I'm 99% sure those files are just used as a kind of mutex for streaming data from Blizzards servers.