How to Fix 0x80004005 Error When Transferring Data from USB to PC?

Theo Lucia

May 27, 2026 • Filed to: USB Recovery • Proven solutions

TL;DR:

Resolve Windows Error 0x80004005 during USB file transfers by extracting compressed archives with third-party tools, clearing local distribution caches for bootable drive failures, or reallocating corrupted USB volumes.
    ● For non-destructive troubleshooting, extract unsupported .zip or .rar files using 7-Zip or WinRAR instead of the built-in Windows utility, or delete all files inside the C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download directory to fix Media Creation Tool halts.
    ● If the error stems from persistent partition failures, use Windows Disk Management to delete the USB volume and format it as a new FAT32 or NTFS drive, which will completely erase all stored data.
    ● If you are forced to format the storage device, Wondershare Recoverit can restore the wiped data with up to a 98% success rate for quick system formats, but the free software version restricts file recovery to a 100 MB limit.

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Problem: How can I fix error code 0x80004005 in my Windows 10 computer?

Do you face the same issue as the user stated above? Do you also want to transfer files from a USB drive to your PC? Don't worry. Here all your concerns will be cleared.

The error code 0x80004005 while transferring files from USB to PC in Windows 10 is a pretty common one. Different people have asked these questions on Windows 10 forums or even other blogs. However, the explanation of this error might seem tricky to a novice user.

This article has gathered well-researched and most straightforward solutions for you. The step-by-step guide will help you fix this error yourself without the need for a computer expert. Also, apart from resolving the 0x80004005 error, you can also learn, as a bonus, how to recover your data from a formatted USB drive.

Sounds nice? Let's now walk the walk.

Overview of Error Code 0x80004005

Now you have known that the fix is possible for the unspecified Error 0x80004005 in your Windows 10 computer. However, what you might not know is that, the error comes not only just while transferring files from USB but associated with file copying and decompression in Windows 10.

To better understand the 0x80004005 error, this section will explain it in simpler terms.

📊 Technical Context Breakdown: Why is Error 0x80004005 Triggered?

Because Windows registers 0x80004005 as an unclassified structural failure, it appears across distinct operating system operations. Use this matrix to identify your specific failure point:

How to Fix 0x80004005 Error When Transferring Data from USB to PC?

Since you probably built some understanding of the 0x80004005 error, here comes the stage to fix it.

This section has compiled a few solutions to fix the error code 0x80004005 Windows 10. Along with explaining those solutions, you will also know about the scenario and scope of each method. You can use one according to your need.

The following solutions will be covered:

🛠️ Strategic Fix Directory: Choose Your Remediation Method

Before altering your system configuration, review this directory to determine which method matches your error behavior without risking unexpected file deletion:

Method 01 - Use a Different Unzip Program

When Windows unzip a file, it decompresses a compressed file. File compression is needed to reduce the file size for easy storage and transfer. There is a different type of compression techniques available for out there.

Decompression of file is one known reason for the error code 0x80004005. But why is it so? The Microsoft Windows 10 comes with a built-in file compression/decompression service. However, when their in-built compression utility tries to unzip an unknown compressed file, it results in a 0x80004005 error.

So, when you are trying to unzip files that are not supported by Windows 10 zip utility service, a 0x80004005 error occurs. You can try different other utility software that does the job for you to fix this. Follow the below steps.

Step 1: Download WinRAR or 7zip Compression Software

You can install free software from their official website on the internet. For this example, we have downloaded WinRAR.

Step 2: Install Program of Your Choice

They come with simple installation steps. Just proceed with default settings and install them.

Step 3: Attach Your USB Drive

Step 4: Unzip the Files Inside Your USB Drive

Once you have the USB plugged into your computer, please right-click on the file that caused the 0x80004005 error before extracting it through the newly installed software.

Method 02 - Run Setupprep

We told you in part 1 that if your Windows is missing any upgrade, it can also result in a 0x80004005 error code. To fix the Windows upgrade issue, we will run a file called "Setupprep.exe"

Setupprep file is associated with the up-gradation of Windows 10. To run the file, follow the below steps:

Step 1: Open Dialog Box

Press Windows Key + R, and a dialog box will open.

Step 2: Copy C:\$Windows.~BT\Sources into Dialog Box Input and Click OK Button

If you have Windows installed in some different drive, replace "C:" with your Windows drive letter.

Step 3: Locate the File

Step 4: Run the Setup

After locating, just double-click on it. The setup will be installed. Restart your PC after that and check if it fixes the file transfer issue from your USB to PC.

Method 03 - Delete the Content from Download Folder

Suppose you are trying to install a Windows OS by using your USB as a bootable disk. You usually use Microsoft's Media Creation Tool. However, Media Creation Tool can also result in a 0x80004005 error code.

You can download a fresh copy of Microsoft's Media Creation Tool to fix this. Follow the below steps:

Step 1: Open "C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download” Director

Step 2: Remove All the Content Inside Download Folder

Just provide the admin privileges first and delete all the files. Make sure not to delete the download folder, only delete the files inside of it.

Step 3: Download and Install Microsoft's Media Creation Tool

Download and install the fresh copy of Microsoft's Media Creation Tool from the Microsoft website.

Step 4: Repeat the Booting Steps

After the new installation for Microsoft's Media Creation Tool is done, follow the steps and boot your USB again through it. It will fix the error code 0x80004005 that was coming before.

Method 04 - Recreate the USB Disk Volume via Disk Management

We can also re-create the USB disk volume via Disk Management, causing the error code 0x80004005 during file transfer. Recreating the USB disk will format your full USB, and you can lose all the data.

Although you can recover the data (explained in part 03), you can also create its backup before applying it.

Follow the below steps:

Step 1: Plug Your USB into The Computer

Step 2: Press Windows Key and Type "disk management" and Press Enter

Step 3: Locate Your USB in Disk Management Window

Step 4: Delete Volume of Your USB Drive

Upon locating, click on it and click on the delete volume option. It will delete all data and make your USB an unallocated disk.

Step 05 - Reallocate Volume and Format the USB Drive

Right-click on the unallocated disk and select the new simple volume option. Follow the on-screen information and reallocate your USB disk volume.

Now, open your USB flash drive and format it using FAT32 or NTFS. You will be able to perform transfer operations in your USB drive without incurring error code 0x80004005.

Method 05 - Format the USB Drive

If the above methods did not work for you, you could try formatting your USB drive to fix the 0x80004005 error code. You will lose the data inside your USB flash drive, but in the next part, we will explain how you can quickly recover data from your formatting USB drive. Follow the below steps:

1. Open CMD
2. Run format /FS:FAT32 H: Command

(Note: Always verify your computer's designated volume configuration and replace the letter H with the exact drive letter matching your attached USB device).

Replace letter H with your USB drive letter. After the command is executed, it will automatically repair your USB flash drive to fix the error code 0x80004005.

Bonus Tips: How to Recover Data From Formatted USB?

📈 Data Salvage Expectations: When to Recover with Recoverit

If fixing error 0x80004005 required formatting your storage device or deleting its active drive volume, the file links are temporarily unindexed but remain on your physical storage blocks. Review your expected restoration outcome:

Suppose you have followed the USB formatting method or recreating the USB disk volume method in part 02. In that case, you will have a formatted USB drive. To recover your Formatted USB drive, we will introduce you to a simple 3-step data recovery software Wondershare Recoverit. By using this software, you can retrieve data in Windows OS and MAC.

Key Features

How to Use This Program for Data Recovery

To recover your data, download Wondershare Recoverit from its official website. After downloading, install the software using on-screen instructions. Once installed, open Wondershare Recoverit, and select your formatted USB drive, and began scanning it. On scan complete, you can preview and select the files you wish to recover.

Here's a tutorial video to guide you use Recoverit to get data back from a formatted USB drive.

Note: Recoverit free version allows recovery of 100 MB files. To recover more data, see their pricing page and buy a plan accordingly.

🏁 Proactive Maintenance Checklist: Prevent USB Transfer Errors

To keep Windows system errors and unclassified transfer halts from disrupting your workflow, run through this verification checklist once a month:

• File Integrity Verifications: Do you scan multi-part compressed archive files with an updated extractor tool before executing bulk transfers?
• USB Port & Interface Auditing: Are you using stable USB 3.0 or Type-C connection ports directly on your computer's motherboard to avoid power drops during transfers?
• System Cache Maintenance: Do you regularly empty your computer's `SoftwareDistribution` folders to clear out broken setup updates?
• Drive Ejection Standards: Do you systematically click "Safely Remove Hardware and Eject Media" to prevent file sector corruption?
• Secure Data Safeguards: Do you keep an updated installer of **Wondershare Recoverit** handy to retrieve files instantly if a drive partition crashes or requires an emergency format?

Conclusion:

The 0x80004005 unspecified error occurs due to many reasons. The step-by-step guide showed how you could resolve Error 0x80004005. We recommend that you try a different unzip program, run the setuprep file, and delete download folder content methods before going for the USB formatting options

We hope that the methods and steps mentioned in this article would have enabled you to fix the 0x80004005 error. Suppose you eventually formatted your USB drive to fix the error 0x80004005. In that case, we recommend you use Wondershare Recoverit software, which we have tried and tested ourselves, to get your data back.