Fix Windows Cannot Complete the Extraction [2024 Ultimate Guide]

Individuals frequently compress sizable files to conserve space and facilitate sharing. Compressed files are convenient for storage as they occupy minimal space. Nevertheless, accessing the compressed file's contents necessitates extraction. The Windows built-in extraction tool is typically employed for this purpose. 

However, you may encounter difficulties during extraction, resulting in Windows cannot complete the extraction error prompt. Keep reading to learn effective ways to fix this error!

Method 1. Fix Corrupted Zip Files with Professional Zip File Repair Software 

EaseUS Fixo File Repair is a powerful solution designed to address corrupted Zip files effectively. This software is indispensable for users encountering Zip file corruption, whether due to download errors, system crashes, or other issues.

With its robust repair features, EaseUS Fixo offers a reliable solution to repair corrupted files, ensuring data integrity and minimizing loss. You can read the cases that EaseUS Fixo File Repair can perfectly handle to see how reliable and versatile it is:

• 🙏Zip file repair master: Fix common issues when you encrypt or unzip compressed files, such as being unable to expand Zip error, the archive being corrupt, the Zip file structure being invalid, the unexpected end of the archive, and more related cases.
• 🗂️Office documents saver: Users are used to compressing or unzipping Office documents, so EaseUS Fixo may give you a hand when you encounter Excel stuck at opening file 0%, PowerPoint not responding, Microsoft Word has stopped working, etc.

Don't let corrupted Zip files disrupt your workflow. Instead, learn how to use EaseUS Fixo File Repair to resolve this issue and regain access to your valuable data.

Step 1. Download and launch Fixo on your PC or laptop. Choose "File Repair" to repair corrupted Office documents, including Word, Excel, PDF, and others. Click "Add Files" to select corrupted documents.

Step 2. To repair multiple files at once, click the "Repair All" button. If you want to repair a single document, move your pointer to the target file and choose "Repair". You can also preview the documents by clicking the eye icon.

Step 3. Click "Save" to save a selected document. Select "Save All" to save all the repaired files. Choose "View Repaired" to locate the repaired folder.

Share this detailed guide with your family, friends, colleagues, and followers on social media to help them overcome Zip file corruption issues.

Method 2. Move Your Zip File to Another Location 

If you're facing the "Windows cannot complete the extraction" error, one potential cause could be that the zip file is in a protected directory or the end of the central directory signature is not found. To troubleshoot this, transfer the zip file to an alternative location, such as a distinct profile folder. 

You can do this by clicking on thе filе you’rе trying to еxtract and prеssing "CTRL + X" on your kеyboard. Aftеrward, you can hеad to thе location you want to pastе it and prеss "CTRL + V." 

Once relocated, attempt to extract the files again to determine if the issue persists.

Method 3. Download the File Again to Fix Windows Not Completing the Extraction 

The Zip file extraction error occasionally arises from the corruption of the desired zipped file. In such cases, all other attempted fixes prove ineffective. 

The only viablе solution for a corruptеd filе is to rе-download thе zip filе bеforе procееding with еxtraction. 

Altеrnativеly, if thе zip filе cannot bе downloadеd, you can utilizе a rеcovеry tool to rеtriеvе an uncorruptеd vеrsion. 

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Method 4. Run SFC and CHKDSK to Fix Windows Cannot Complete the Extraction 

Encountering difficulty in extracting compressed files may indicate underlying issues within your system files. Follow these steps to run System File Checker (SFC) and Check Disk (CHKDSK).

Step 1. Select the "Windows" key and the letter "X" simultaneously to reveal options. 

Step 2. Select "Command Prompt (Admin)."

Step 3. Within the "Command Prompt" window, input sfc /scannow.

Step 4. After running SFC, restart your PC and repeat steps 1 and 2. 

Step 5. Lastly, type CHKDSK /f /r and press "Enter" to initiate the process. 

After that, restart your computer again. After finishing these steps, attempt to extract the files again. If the issue persists, explore alternative methods for resolving the problem.

Method 5. Utilize Clean Boot to Complete the Extraction 

Another approach is initiating a Clean Boot state and assessing whether you can extract the files successfully. This state disables applications and services that typically run automatically during Windows startup.

Suppose you can extract the file while in a clean state; it implies that one of the disabled software components is causing the extraction problem. In such instances, manual troublеshooting is rеquirеd to pinpoint the root cause of the problem.

Do this to clean boot your PC: 

Step 1. Sign in to your PC as an administrator. If you lack an administrator account, create one before proceeding.

Step 2. In the search box, input msconfig and select "System Configuration" from the results.

Step 3. In the "System Configuration" window, navigate to the "Services" tab.

Step 4. Click "Hide all Microsoft services." Then, select "Disable all."

Step 5. Proceed to the "Startup" tab within the same window and select "Open Task Manager."

Step 6. Within "Task Manager," under the "Startup" tab, select each item and choose "Disable." Then, exit Task Manager.

Step 7. Return to the "System Configuration" window, navigate to the "Startup" tab, and click "OK."

Step 8. Restart your PC. It will now be in a clean boot environment. Attempt to extract the zip file again to check if the error recurs.

Method 6. Shorten the File Name in Case It Is Too Long 

To resolve the Windows cannot complete the extraction the destination path is too long error associated with "Filename(s) would be too long for the destination," address the issue by shortening the file name. 

This error occurs when the destination file cannot be created due to the file name exceeding length limitations. 

You can attempt the extraction process by renaming the file with a shorter name. This approach is effective if the error comes from the file name exceeding the length limit for the destination directory.

FAQs on Windows Cannot Complete the Extraction 

If you still have doubts about handling the Windows cannot complete extraction 7zip error. Here are some questions and answers for more details. Check them out!

1. Why does Windows cannot complete the extraction?

This error commonly arises when using the native Windows extraction tool to extract compressed files. The underlying reasons for this issue can vary and may include:

• Permissions issue
• Disk space limitations
• Invalid path
• Incomplete download
• Corrupted Zip file

2. How do I fix an extracting error?

Here’s what to do to fix an extracting error:

• Fix corrupted ZIP files with professional ZIP file repair software 
• Move your ZIP file to another location
• Download the file again
• Run SFC and CHKDSK 
• Utilize clean boot 
• Shorten the file name in case it is too long

3. What is the extraction error in Windows 11?

The extraction error commonly arises when attempting to extract files from a ZIP archive located in a protected area. Resolving this error involves replacing the corrupted system files with intact versions, effectively eliminating the inability to complete the extraction process for zipped files.

Closure 

In summary, encountering Windows cannot complete the extraction while extracting files on Windows systems can be frustrating and disruptive. We've explored various methods to address these issues, such as using professional zip file repair software like EaseUS Fixo File Repair and relocating zip files to different directories. We have also looked at re-downloading corrupted files, running SFC and CHKDSK commands, implementing clean boot states, and shortening file names.

In addition to these methods, here are a few more tips to help readers avoid extraction errors in the future: Regularly update your system and drivers to maintain compatibility and stability, use antivirus software to prevent malware attacks, ensure sufficient disk space is available on the destination drive before extracting files and use reputable sources to download zip files to minimize the risk of corruption.