5 Fixes for “Unspecified Error” When Copying Files or Folders in Windows
Pankil is a Civil Engineer turned freelance writer. Since his arrival at Guiding Tech in 2021, he delves into the world of how-tos, and troubleshooting guides for Android, iOS, and Windows. Besides his new-found love for mechanical keyboards, he’s a disciplined footfall fan and loves international travel with his wife.
Fix 1: Check the Destination Drive Format
Are you attempting to copy a file to an external drive that uses a non-NTFS format? If so, you are likely to encounter such issues. For example, if the destination drive is formatted as FAT32, transferring a file larger than 4GB will most likely fail and result in an error.
PressWindows + Eto open the File Explorer. Right-click on your drive and selectProperties. UnderGeneral, check your drive’s file system.
If it says NTFS, disk format isn’t a problem, and you can continue with the solutions below. If it says FAT32, you may have toformat the driveinto the NTFS format.
Fix 2: Remove Write Protection for the Drive
Another reason you may have trouble copying files or folders to a storage drive is if it is write-protected. In that case, you must use the DiskPart utility to remove write protection from your drive.
Step 1:Right-click on theStart iconand selectTerminal (Admin)from the list.
Step 2:Typediskpartin the console and hitEnter.
Step 3:Typelist diskand pressEnterto view a list of storage devices connected to your PC.
Step 4:Note the disk number associated with your storage device from the first column. Then, type the following command to select it.
ReplaceNin the above command with the actual number associated with the disk.
Step 5:Paste the following command and pressEnterto remove write protection for the selected device.
After completing the above steps, copy files and folders to that drive.
Fix 3: Download and Run the File and Folder Troubleshooter
Microsoft offers a File and Folder Troubleshooter to automatically fix issues preventing you from copying or moving files and folders. Here’s how to run it.
Step 1:Download the File and Folder Troubleshooterfrom Microsoft’s website.
Step 2:Double-click the downloaded file. Then, clickNextto run the troubleshooter.
Step 3:Select theRenaming or moving files and foldersoption and hitNext.
Wait for the troubleshooter to detect and fix any issues, then copy your files and folders again.
Fix 4: Modify File or Folder Permission
Windows may display the “Unspecified error” if your current user account does not have permission to copy the file or folder. To fix this, you must obtain complete control over the file or folder you are attempting to copy.
Step 1:Right-click on the file or folder you want to copy and selectProperties.
Step 2:Under theSecuritytab, click theEditbutton.
Step 3:Tick theAllowcheckbox forFull control. Then, hitApply, followed byOK.
After completing the above steps, try copying or moving your file or folder.
Fix 5: Create a New User Account
Problems with your user account can also trigger the “Unspecified error” while copying files and folders on Windows 10 or 11. If so, you must create and switch to a new user account.
Step 1:PressWindows + Ito open the Settings app. In theAccountstab, click onOther users.
Step 2:Click theAdd accountbutton.
Step 3:Type your email address and follow the on-screen instructions to create a new user account on Windows.
Switch to the newly created user accountand see if you can copy files and folders.
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Last updated on 09 April, 2024
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