Scenario: you are using SharePoint Designer to edit pages and the one you want to edit is checked out by someone and you need to edit it. Using SharePoint Designer you cannot easily discard a checkout, but you can using the browser.

Here’s the typical SPD Checkout popup:

Uh oh, this prompt doesn’t look very friendly: Server error: the file”Pages/pagename.aspx” is checked out or locked for editing by DomainJdoe.

Here’ the last screen you may see: DomainJdoe has the file checked out. Do you want to make a read only copy?

Ok, now that you’ve seen all the prompts let’s find out how to discard the checkout and this problem.

1. First go to the page library containing the page you wish to edit in SharePoint Designer or in the browser editor.
   
2. Hover over the page name with your mouse to reveal the drop down (A) and click Discard Check Out (B).
   
3. You will be prompted to discard the checkout and all changes will be lost. Click OK and you will now be able to edit the page.