Fix Windows Cannot Complete the Extraction Issue

Have you ever tried to open a ZIP file and got the error 'Windows cannot complete the extraction?' That is probably one of the most common errors, but it can still be annoying. When Windows could not complete the extraction, you may fail to perform even the most basic tasks. This becomes even more annoying when you have some important data saved in the ZIP file.

You must look into the methods for how to fix destination file could not be created. If there's an error, you need to repair it immediately so that you don't struggle anymore with your ZIP files. This blog will guide you on the methods to fix the extraction issues and retrieve any important data that you may have in the file/folder.

Part 1: Why Does Windows Cannot Complete the Extraction?

You will receive the Windows cannot complete the compressed extraction wizard notification on your screen. Now, this may happen for a wide range of reasons, such as the following:

• Root causes can lead to this error. Therefore, you'll need to troubleshoot the issue so that you can fix it.
• If the file size exceeds the maximum size permitted by Windows, you won't be able to extract the files.
• ZIP corruption is also one of the common issues that usually happens due to interruptions during the file creation process or incomplete download.
• Incorrect file permissions will also prevent the ZIP file from being opened.
• If there is any built-in security software in Windows, it will prevent the file contents from being accessed. Therefore, file extraction can be a huge issue.

Part 2: Why Do You Need to Extract Files?

When some files are sent in the ZIP format, you will have to extract those. Usually, when the files have a large space, you should convert them into ZIP files. Convert all the files into a single ZIP file or folder, as it will take less space. Extracting files is one of the key ways to send or store the files. The built-in Windows File Explorer tool can play an important role in helping to extract the files.

Part 3: Tips to Fix Windows Cannot Complete Extraction Issue

If you are facing a problem where Windows cannot complete the extraction, it is advisable to use the proper methods to fix it. This is a common Windows error that can happen in different versions of Windows, such as 10/8/7.

Some of the key ways through which you can fix the Windows cannot complete extraction error are as follows:

Method 1: Move the ZIP File to Another Location

If the ZIP file is not working in one particular location, you should move it to another location. Sometimes, the ZIP may be stored in a protected location, which may prevent it from opening on a particular screen.

A common way to fix this is to move the ZIP file to another location. You may move the ZIP to another profile folder to initiate the process. Once it is moved to the new location, try to extract the ZIP file and see if it is working properly.

Method 2: Reboot the Computer

Rebooting the computer can be one of the easiest solutions to fix the Windows error that prevents files from being extracted. Rebooting also plays an important role in fixing other software issues on your device. After rebooting, you can extract the files and check if the issue persists.

Below are the steps you'll have to follow to reboot the computer:

Step 1: Click on the Start button on your computer.

Step 2: At the bottom of your screen, click on the power icon.

Step 3: From the available options, click on the Restart button.

Step 4: Try again to check if the ZIP file is now opening in your system. .

Method 3: Download a New Copy

Sometimes, you may discover that some of the files are corrupt. However, in this case, you may download the ZIP copy into a new location and try to upload it again.

Once you download the new copy of the ZIP file, you can either decompress it or extract it again. This will help you determine if the problem still exists. Moreover, downloading a new copy of the ZIP could fix the issue. If the ZIP file is now fixed, you can work towards using it or adopt another method to fix it.

Method 4: Check if You Can Open Another ZIP File

Sometimes, a particular ZIP file may not open on your device because of corruption, software incompatibility, or any other issue. If Windows cannot complete extraction in the recent file, you can open it via another location on Windows Explorer.

You have the option to check different locations and find where the files are being extracted. However, if it still does not open, this means that there is some issue with the ZIP file. In that case, consider using Wondershare Repairit to solve the problem that the destination file could not be created.

Method 5: Run SFC and CHKDSK

If there is some system file corruption error, Windows cannot complete the extraction. Therefore, in this case, you will have to use the in-built Windows System File Checker (SFC) and CHKDSK to solve this error.

The SFC and CHKDSK can play an important role in scanning the files for all the errors. It will also replace the corrupted files. Now, you will have to follow the steps given below to run SFC and CHKDSK to solve Windows cannot complete the extraction:

Step 1: Launch Command Prompt on your Windows from the Start button of your screen.

Step 2: On the main screen, you will have to type sfc/scannow. If this command doesn't work, you will have to type sfc /scannow /offbootdir=c:\ /offwindir=c : \windows.

Step 3: Restart the PC.

Step 4: After restarting the system, click on Command Prompt (Admin) and launch it for your system.

Step 5: Once the cmd windows open, type CHKDSK /f /r and then press the Enter button on your keyboard.

Step 6: You will now have to reschedule the scan to fit the reboot of your system. Type ‘Y’ and then press the Enter key on your keyboard.

Method 6: Perform Clean Boot

Software conflicts can be one of the main issues why you may not be able to opt for Windows to complete the extraction of ZIP files. In this case, you will have to conduct a complete clean boot of your software. This clean boot can play an important role in beginning fresh and checking which is the main area where you're facing trouble.

You will have to follow a detailed step in order to perform a clean boot to prevent the damage. This includes the following:

Step 1: Press the Windows + R key on your system to open the Run dialog box. In the Run dialogue box, type msconfig and press the Enter button on your keyboard.

Step 2: The System Configuration window will open on your system. From all the available options, uncheck the ‘Load startup items’ under ‘Selective Startup.’ You can find this option under the General tab of your System Configuration file.

Step 3: Now, visit the Services tab on your screen. Check the Hide All Microsoft Services section. Then, you will have to click on the Disable All option.

Step 4: Now, you have to Restart the computer. After restarting, you can check if Windows could not complete the extraction.

Method 7: Shorten the Image name in Case It Is Too Long

Sometimes, you may face Windows cannot complete the extraction issue because of the Image name. If the Image name is too long, it is advisable to shorten it. Therefore, it is advisable to shorten the name and then try to extract the ZIP file again. If the Image name is the error, renaming the ZIP file should play an important role in fixing the issue.

Method 8: Permission Patrol

You will have to check the permission patrol, too, to understand how to fix destination file could not be created. For this, you will have to get write access to the destination folder. You can check the permission patrol for the files through the Properties. You can right-click on the ZIP file and then select Properties. Navigate to the Security tab and check the permissions. If permissions aren't there, you can just enable that.

Method 9: Repair the Corrupted ZIP File

Repairing corrupted ZIP files can be one of the most effective ways to fix cannot complete the compressed folders extraction wizard issue. Therefore, you must use the Wondershare Repairit took. Wondershare Repairit plays an important role in repairing major file types such as Word, PowerPoint, Excel and ZIP.

Wondershare Repairit is very easy to use and can help you in repairing even password-protected files. Therefore, irrespective of the reason the ZIP has been damaged, such as bad sectors, incomplete downloads, or compression, Repairit can fix the problem in no time.

Wondershare Repairit can help to fix a wide range of corrupted ZIP files as long as you download and install them in your system. It is compatible with both Windows and Mac systems, so you can easily initiate the ZIP file repair process to fix Windows cannot complete the extraction.

Below are the steps you'll have to follow to use Wondershare Repairit to fix the ZIP file:

Step 1: Open Wondershare Repairit in your system. Navigate to the File Repair option under More Types File. Now, select the corrupted ZIP file from the locations.

Step 2: Once the corrupted files are detected, Repairit will begin the scanning process. Click on the Repair button to initiate the process.

Step 3: The software will take a few seconds to repair the file. Once the file has been repaired, the results will be displayed on the screen. Preview the files thoroughly to check all the details.

Step 4: Select all the files that you want to recover. Then, click on the Save option. Check the location where you want to save the files. Make sure that you're choosing a new location where you can save the files.

Part 4: How to Recover Lost ZIP Archive in Windows- Use Wondershare Recoverit?

If you have lost ZIP archives in Windows, why don't you try using Wondershare Recoverit? Wondershare Recoverit can help you recover these lost ZIP archive files. Even if you're not very tech-savvy, you should be able to use Wondershare Recoverit very easily.

Wondershare Recoverit has a very user-friendly interface that plays an important role in recovering lost ZIP archives if Windows cannot complete the extraction. This third-party recovery solution is available for Mac and Windows, providing exclusive advanced solutions to help you with data recovery.

With the help of Recoverit, you can recover lost data from different scenarios. Advanced scanning technology is one of the best features of the app, and it plays an important role in getting back all the lost data. Now, you must download the software in your system and install it before initiating the data recovery process.

Since Wondershare Recoverit is so easy to use, you can follow the steps given below to initiate the data recovery process:

Step 1: Open Wondershare Recoverit on your PC and choose the location to scan for the ZIP file under the Hard Drives and Locations option.

Step 2: As soon as you have selected the location to scan, Wondershare Recoverit will start scanning it. The progress of the scan can be viewed on the main screen.

Step 3: Once the scan is done, you may apply filters to find the accurate ZIP files you're looking for.

Step 4: You can also type the Image name in the search box to look for the files.

Step 5: Once the software is finished scanning the files, preview all the recovered files. Select the ones that you want to save and click on the Recover button on the software.

Step 6: Choose the new location where you want these recovered files to be saved, and finally, save the files.

Conclusion

Facing Windows cannot complete the extraction of ZIP files is not an uncommon issue. However, it is important that you find the fix for it soon so that you don't lose the data. If the ZIP file isn't opening, you will have to opt for fixing it or using it in a new system. If the ZIP doesn't work in any other location, it simply means that the ZIP file is corrupted. Therefore, you'll have to look into a better method to fix the problem. In case you lose data during this process, you can always rely on Wondershare Recoverit to recover the archived or lost data from the ZIP files.