OPatch error : “Unable to lock Central Inventory”

While applying Patch 31210848 “Microsoft Windows 32-Bit & x86-64 Bundle Patch 12.2.0.1.200714” on database 12.2.0.1on Windows platform I got the following error:

Unable to lock Central Inventory. OPatch will attempt to re-lock.

Solution:

I opened another command window as Administrator, and applied the patch again. This time, it completed successfully without errors:

For Windows platform, please ensure that all oracle windows services are stopped, before applying any oracle patch.

Thanks
Ahmed