A computer-implemented method, apparatus, and computer-usable program code for preserving file locks while moving a software partition from an origination network file system client data processing system to a destination network file system client data processing system is provided. A request for a file is received. A determination is made as to whether the request is for a file that is within a software partition. Responsive to a determination that the request is for a file within a software partition, a determination is made as to whether the request is a lock request. Responsive to a determination that the request is a lock request, a determination is made as to whether the software partition is being restarted. Responsive to a determination that the software partition is being restarted, the lock request is blocked from being sent to a remote network file system server.