[Fix] Zip File Error 0x80004005 When Extracting or Copying

When you open a .zip file (compressed folder) in Windows and attempt to extract or copy its contents to a folder, the error 0x80004005 (“Unspecified error”) may appear. Here is the full error message verbatim:

An unexpected error is keeping you from copying the file. If you continue to receive this error, you can use the error code to search for help with this problem.

Error 0x80004005: Unspecified error

zip files error 0x80004005

And, if you double-click a file inside the .zip archive to open it directly without extracting it first, you’ll see this error message:

Compressed (zipped) Folders Error

Windows cannot complete the extraction.
The destination file could not be created.

zip files error 0x80004005

This article explains what causes the error 0x80004005 when copying or extracting Zip archives, and how to work around it.

Cause

zip compression methods algorithmsThe above error messages appear if the .zip file is compressed or encrypted using an algorithm that Windows doesn’t support. Windows supports Deflate, Deflate64 compression methods.



If the .zip file was originally compressed using BZip2, LZMA, PPMd, or any other mechanism, the Windows default compressed files handler will throw the error 0x80004005 as it doesn’t know how to unpack those files.

Likewise, Windows 10 (and earlier systems) doesn’t support the AES-256 encryption method. Attempting to open an AES-256 encrypted password-protected file in Windows would cause the error code 0x80004005 or the error message Windows cannot complete the extraction. Windows supports ZipCrypto & AES-128 encryption methods, though.

Workaround for Zip Files Error 0x80004005

zip compression archive tools third-partyIf you’re using Windows default .zip (compressed folder) handler to view or extract compressed files and facing the error 0x80004005, then you’ll need to use a third-party archive tool like 7-Zip, WinRar, WinZip, or PeaZip to open that file.

Those third-party tools support several different compression and encryption methods, and you should be able to extract the files successfully.

If none of the above-mentioned software is able to open a .zip file, it could indicate that the .zip file is corrupted. You may download the .zip file again and try again.


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Ramesh Srinivasan is passionate about Microsoft technologies and he has been a consecutive ten-time recipient of the Microsoft Most Valuable Professional award in the Windows Shell/Desktop Experience category, from 2003 to 2012. He loves to troubleshoot and write about Windows. Ramesh founded Winhelponline.com in 2005.

11 thoughts on “[Fix] Zip File Error 0x80004005 When Extracting or Copying”

  1. Error 0x80004005 when using windows zip extractor,
    CRC Failed error when usin winrar & 7-zip…
    how i extract that file…???

    Reply
  2. Thanks brother.This problem was bothering me too much.You saved me hours of time. I used 7 Zip.You posted very helpful solution.I really appreciate you.

    Reply
  3. Bravo – you nailed it. I was using AES-256. You would think if you downloaded the Windows version, AES-256 would be unavailable.

    Reply

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