Have you ever had problems when trying to open a file or folder in Windows 10, then the error message “The file or directory is corrupted and unreadable” appears? This error message can appear when you try to open, edit, or delete certain files or directories.
If yes, then you are not alone. Many Windows 11 users face this difficulty, both on internal and external hard disks, flash disks, memory cards, or other storage media.
This error message indicates that something is wrong with the file system or data structure on your storage media. This can be caused by various factors, such as viruses, physical damage, system errors, sudden power cuts, or incomplete operations. As a result, the files or folders you want cannot be read by Windows 11 and become inaccessible.
Of course, this is very annoying and can make you lose important data. Don’t worry, though. There are several ways you can try to fix corrupted and unreadable file or directory errors in Windows 11 and restore access to your files or folders.
Causes of corrupted and unreadable files or directories
This error message can be caused by a variety of factors, including:
- Physical damage to the storage device. If a storage device is physically damaged, such as a hard drive with corrupted read/write heads or a USB drive with bent connectors, this can cause files or directories to become unreadable.
- Virus or malware infection. Virus or malware infections can damage a file or directory by altering or deleting its data.
- Software error. Software errors, such as problems with drivers or the operating system, can also cause file corruption.
- Improper file handling. Improper file handling, such as suddenly disconnecting the storage device while it is still in use, can also cause file corruption.
- Power surges or goes out. Power surges or outages can also damage storage devices and cause file corruption.
How to Fix File or Directory Errors Corrupted and Unreadable in Windows
If you’re experiencing a corrupted and unreadable file or directory error message, there are steps you can take to fix it.
Here are some ways you can do this:
- Using CHKDSK.
- Use a file recovery application.
- Using Startup Repair
- Reformat.
1] Fix Corrupted Files or Directories with CHKDSK in Command Prompt
One of the most common and simple ways to fix corrupted and unreadable files or directories in Windows 11 is to run the CHKDSK command in Command Prompt.
The chkdsk command is a built-in command of Windows 11 that is useful for checking and fixing errors on the disk. This command will scan and repair errors on your disk, including bad sectors, corrupted MFT or FAT, etc. Here are the steps:
- Open your Windows Command Prompt via Start Menu and right-click to run it as administrator.
- Type the following command in Command Prompt, and then press Enter:
chkdsk [DriveLetter]: /f /r
This command will check your disk for logical and physical errors. If an error is found, CHKDSK will try to fix it.
The disk check process can take a few minutes or even a few hours, depending on the size of your disk.
2] Using a Professional Data Recovery App to Repair Corrupted Files or Directories
If CHKDSK cannot repair corrupted files or directories, you can try using a file recovery tool. File recovery tools can help you recover lost data from a corrupted hard drive or other storage device.
There are many file recovery tools available, both free and paid. Some popular file recovery tools are:
- Recuva
- EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard
- Wondershare Recoverit
To use the file recovery tool, you need to download and install it on your computer. Once the file recovery tool is installed, open the tool and follow the instructions to recover the lost data.
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3] Using Startup Repair to Repair Corrupted Files or Directories
The Startup Repair Tool is a Windows feature that can help you fix problems with system files, drivers, and other system settings, including corrupted and unreadable files or directories.
To use the Startup Repair Tool, you need to start your computer in recovery mode. To do this, follow these steps:
- Open Windows 11 “Settings”. You can open it with the keyboard keys (WIN + I).
- Then, navigate to “Systems > Recovery”.
- On the right panel, “Advanced startup” section, click the “Restart now” button.
After your computer starts in recovery mode, you should see the Startup Repair Tool screen. From here, you can choose to:
- On the Select, an option screen, click “Troubleshoot”.
- In the “Troubleshoot” screen, click “Advanced Options”.
- In the “Advanced Options” screen, click “Startup Repair”.
The Startup Repair tool will start scanning your computer for problems. If it finds a problem, the Startup Repair Tool will try to fix it automatically.
4] Format Drive to Fix Corrupted and Unreadable Files or Directories
If all of the above fails, you may need to reformat the hard drive or other storage device.
This way, you’ll erase all existing data on the drive and create a new, clean, and healthy file system. However, before you do the format, make sure you have made a backup of your important data first because the format will delete all data permanently.
There are several ways to format a drive in Windows 11, including:
A] Using File Explorer
- Open File Explorer.
- Right-click on the drive you want to format, and then click Format.
- In the Format dialog box, select the file format that you want, and then click OK.
B] Using Disk Management
- Open Disk Management. You can do this by pressing Windows + R, then typing “diskmgmt.msc” and pressing Enter.
- Right-click on the drive you want to format, and then click Format.
- In the Format dialog box, select the file format that you want, and then click OK.
Conclusion
Corrupted and unreadable files or directories can cause serious problems on your computer. If you encounter this issue, it is important to follow the proper steps to fix it.
By following the steps above, you can fix corrupted and unreadable files or directories in Windows 11.