Windows cannot complete the extraction error [SOLVED]

Fix Windows cannot complete the extraction error: While trying to extract contents of a zip file you may face the following error message “Windows cannot complete the extraction. The destination file could not be created.”  and in order to fix this issue just follow this guide. Now there are other variations of this error such as “The compressed (zipped) folder is invalid” or The destination path is too long, or The compressed zipped folder is invalid etc.

Fix Windows cannot complete the extraction error

It’s also possible that you may receive any of the above error messages while trying to compress a file or while extracting the contents of a zipped file. So without wasting any time let’s see how to actually Fix Windows cannot complete the extraction error with the help of below-listed troubleshooting guide.

Windows cannot complete the extraction error [SOLVED]

Make sure to create a restore point just in case something goes wrong.

Method 1: Move the zip file to another location

If you’re facing the error message “Windows cannot complete the extraction. The destination file could not be created” then it’s possible that the zip file you’re trying to open or extract is in the protected area. To resolve this issue, just move the zip file to Desktop, documents, etc. If this doesn’t work, then no worries, just follow the next method.

Try to move the zip file to Desktop, documents, etc

Method 2: See if you can open another zip file

Chances are Windows Explorer might get corrupted and that’s why you’re not able to access your files. In order to make sure this is the case here just try to extract any other zip file in different locations in Windows Explorer and see if you’re able to do so. If other zip files open properly then this particular zip file may be corrupted or invalid.

Method 3: Run SFC and CHKDSK

1.Press Windows Key + X then click on Command Prompt(Admin).

command prompt with admin rights

2.Now type the following in the cmd and hit enter:

Sfc /scannow
sfc /scannow /offbootdir=c:\ /offwindir=c:\windows (If above fails then try this one)

SFC scan now command prompt

3.Wait for the above process to finish and once done restart your PC.

4.Next, run CHKDSK from here Fix File System Errors with Check Disk Utility(CHKDSK).

5.Let the above process complete and again reboot your PC to save changes. See if you’re able to Fix Windows cannot complete the extraction error, if not then continue with next method.

Method 4: Perform Clean Boot

1.Press Windows Key + R then type msconfig and hit enter to System Configuration.

msconfig

2.On General tab, choose Selective Startup and under it make sure the option “load startup items” is unchecked.

system configuration check selective startup clean boot

3.Navigate to the Services tab and checkmark the box that says “Hide all Microsoft services.

hide all microsoft services

4.Next, click Disable all which would disable all the other remaining services.

5.Restart your PC check if the problem persists or not.

6.After you had finish troubleshooting make sure to undo the above steps in order to start your PC normally.

See if you’re able to extract the contents of the zip file in Clean Boot if you’re then some 3rd party app might be conflicting with Windows. Troubleshoot the issue via this method.

Method 5: Fix The file name(s) would be too long for the destination

If you are facing the above error message then it clearly states the file name is too long, so just rename the zip file to something short such as test.zip and again try to access the zip file and see if you’re able to Fix Windows cannot complete the extraction error.

If you're facing file name too long error then rename the zip file

Method 6: Fix The compressed (zipped) folder is invalid

If you are facing above error message then you may try using 3rd party applications in order to access the content of zip file. Try the following zip archive software:

Winrar
7-zip

See if you’re able to compress or extract the contents of zip file using any one of the above software.

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That’s it you have successfully Fix Windows cannot complete the extraction error but if you still have any questions regarding this post then feel free to ask them in the comment’s section.

3 thoughts on “Windows cannot complete the extraction error [SOLVED]”

  1. I am using powershell to zip some files and upload to a website, however when i download the zipped content in a different machine, it throws the “he compressed (zipped) folder is invalid” error
    how do i fix it

  2. Avatar photo
    Karol Pawelec

    Hello, i am trying to extract Atikmdag patcher, but everytime i try it, windows gives me the “Windows cannot complete the extraction” error message along with code 0x80004005. I went trough all the troubleshooting processes for both of them, yet my problem is still not fixed. Please help.

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