How to Fix: An Unexpected Error Is Keeping You from Copying the File on Windows

Trying to copy a file on your PC and suddenly hit with the annoying message:
“An unexpected error is keeping you from copying the file”?

Don’t worry — this is a common issue on Windows, and it’s usually fixable with a few practical steps. The error can pop up due to a number of reasons like unsupported file formats, missing permissions, corrupted system files, antivirus blocks, or even cloud syncing issues. Let’s walk through the best ways to fix it.

1. Use a Tool Like WinRAR for Compressed Files

If the file you’re trying to copy is zipped or compressed and File Explorer struggles to open it, you might get this error. In that case:

• Use tools like WinRAR, 7-Zip, or PeaZip to extract the contents first.
• Then copy the extracted files instead.

It’s a quick fix that often solves the issue immediately.

2. Check the File Format

Some files created on other systems like macOS or Linux might not be fully supported by Windows. If you’re trying to copy something like an unsupported image or file format:

• Try opening the file first to make sure it’s compatible.
• If Windows doesn’t recognize it, convert it to a supported format using an online converter or a tool like VLC, HandBrake, or Format Factory.

3. Make Sure You Have the Right Permissions

Sometimes, you just don’t have permission to access or copy a file — especially if it came from another user account or system. Here’s what to do:

1. Right-click the file > choose Properties.
2. Go to the Security tab.
3. Click your username and see if you have “Full Control.”
4. If not, click Edit, allow necessary permissions, then hit Apply and OK.

Try copying again after updating the permissions.

4. Scan for Malware or Antivirus Conflicts

Malicious software or even your antivirus might be blocking access to the file.

• Use Windows Defender or a third-party antivirus like Malwarebytes or Bitdefender to scan your system.
• Make sure your antivirus isn’t wrongly flagging the file or preventing file access.

If needed, temporarily disable your antivirus and try again — but only if you’re confident the file is safe.

5. Run SFC and DISM Scans to Fix System Issues

If Windows itself is acting up due to corrupted system files, you’ll want to run two built-in tools: SFC and DISM.

To run SFC:

1. Press Windows + R, type cmd, then press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to open Command Prompt as admin.
2. Type:sfc /scannow
3. Let it complete and then restart your PC.

To run DISM:

After restarting:

1. Open Command Prompt again as admin.
2. Type these commands one by one:DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
3. Let the process finish and restart once more.

These tools repair broken system components that might be causing the error.

6. Check Your Hard Drive for Errors

A failing hard drive or corrupted disk sectors can also trigger copy errors. Here’s how to check:

1. Open Command Prompt as administrator.
2. Type this command:chkdsk /f C:
3. Press Enter. If it asks to schedule the scan for the next restart, press Y and reboot your system.

Let the scan check and fix any issues it finds.

7. If the File Is from the Cloud (e.g., OneDrive, Dropbox, Autodesk)

Sometimes this error shows up when syncing cloud-based files (especially large ones like CAD files or Revit projects). If you’re using tools like Autodesk’s Desktop Connector, and see error codes like:

• 0x800701AA (timeout)
• 0x80070185 (unsuccessful operation)

Try the following:

• Check if your firewall or antivirus is blocking the cloud sync tool.
• Reset the sync app (like Desktop Connector).
• As a last resort, uninstall and reinstall the sync tool.

Be aware: Resetting the tool might delete unsynced local files, so make backups if needed.

Conclusion

This error can be frustrating, but it’s usually not a major issue. Most of the time, one of the steps above will solve it.

If you’ve tried everything and nothing helps, restarting your PC or even resetting Windows might be your last option — though that should be your final resort, especially if you have important data that isn’t backed up.

Follow the steps, and you’ll be able to copy your files again in no time.