How to Fix Error 0x80070052: The directory or file cannot be created [Steps]

What is ‘Error 0x80070052: The directory or file cannot be created’ error in Windows 10/8/7?

In this article, we are going to discuss on “How to fix Error 0x80070052: The directory or file cannot be created in Windows 10/8/7”. You will be guided with easy steps/methods to resolve the issue. Let’s starts the discussion.

‘The directory or file cannot be created: Error 0x80070052’: It is common Windows Problem usually occurred in your Windows 10/8/7 computer when you try to copy files to removable media like USB Flash Drive or external Hard disk drive. This error prevents you from copying files/data to removable media drives in your Windows computer for some reasons. Let’s take a look at error message.

“An unexpected error is preventing the operation. Make a note of this error code, which might be useful if you get additional help to resolve this problem:

Error 0x80070052: The directory or file cannot be created.”

There could be several reasons behind the issue including the issue with removable media drives itself like doesn’t have enough disk space on storage, removable drive might be formatted properly and other issues with your removable media drive. You should make sure your removal media drive like USB flash drive or external hard disk drive is formatted properly with correct & compatible File System type. If not, formatting requires on removable media drive in order to fix the issue.

This issue can be occurred if the folder path could not be found on the drive, there is no enough disk space on USB, file or folder name is invalid because it contains unacceptable characters. Also, this error can be occurred due to corruption in your system files or registry and other issues in your system. Let’s go for the solution.

How to fix Error 0x80070052: The directory or file cannot be created in Windows 10/8/7?

Method 1: Fix ‘Error 0x80070052: The directory or file cannot be created’ with ‘PC Repair Tool’

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Method 2: Reconnect removable drive to other USB port

Before troubleshooting the issue, you should make sure your removable media drive is properly connected to correct USB port of your computer. You can disconnect your problematic media drive and connect it to other USB port of your computer and check if it works

Method 3: Copy or move the files into Subfolder

Step 1: Open the destination drive, right-click on empty space and click ‘New Folder’

Step 2: Now, paste the files into newly created folder and check if it works for you.

Method 4: Rename the folder or file

If you are unable to perform copy operation of some files/folders when you try to copy it to removal media drive, then you can try changing the name of files or folders on computer, and check if it works for you.

Method 5: Free up more space in removable drive

This issue can be occurred if there is no enough space in your removable drive in order to perform copy operation. You can try removing unnecessary or unused files/folders from your removable drive in order to free up storage space and then retry copy the file/folder to your removable media drive and check if the error is resolved.

Method 6: Change file/folder permission

This issue can be occurred due to required permission not given to file/folder you are trying to perform copy for. You can change file/folder permission in order to fix the issue.

Step 1: Right-click on file/folder that is causing error, and select ‘Properties’

Step 2: In the opened window, click ‘Security’ tab, and click ‘Edit’ button to open ‘Permission’ dialog box

Step 3: Perform the below operation/action:

  • Click Add button to set permissions for a group or user that does not appear in the Group or User Name field, then enter the name of the group or user for whom you want to set permissions.
  • Click on the name of the group or user to change or delete permissions for an existing group or user.
  • Select the Allow or deny checkbox for the type of authorization.
  • Click the Remove button to remove the group or user from the Group or user name field.

Step 4: Finally, click ‘Ok’ button to save the changes and check if the error is resolved.

Method 7: Perform Clean Boot

If the issue is still persist, then you can perform clean boot in computer in order to fix the issue.

Step 1: Pres ‘Windows + R’ keys on keyboard, type ‘msconfig’ in ‘Run’ window and hit ‘Ok’ button to open ‘System Configuration’

Step 2: In the opened window, click ‘Services’ tab, check ‘Hide all Microsoft Services’ checkbox and hit ‘Disable All’ button

Step 3: Finally, hit ‘Apply’ and ‘Ok’ button to save the changes and check if the issue is resolved.

Method 8: Format the problematic removable media drive to FAT32 or NTFS File System

If the issue is still persist, then your removable drive’s file system type format could be problematic. You can format the drive with FAT32 or NTFS file system in order to fix the issue. But before that, you should make sure you have strong backup of your all personal files stored on removable drive.

Step 1: Open ‘File Explorer’ in Windows PC, right-click on your problematic removable media drive and choose ‘Format’

Step 2: In the opened window, select ‘FAT32’ or ‘NTFS’ from ‘File System’ type dropdown, allocation unit size set to ‘4096 bytes’ and uncheck the ‘Quick Format’ and then hit ‘Start’ button to format the drive. Once finished, check if the issue is resolved.

Method 9: Enable Credential Manager service

Step 1: Make sure third-party program like McAfee Drive Encryption is running. Ignore this step if you have only build-in Windows encryption

Step 2: Press ‘Windows + R’ keys on keyboard, type ‘services.msc’ in ‘Run’ window and hit ‘Ok’ button to open ‘Services’ window

Step 3: Find and double-click on ‘Credential Manager’ service to open its Properties. In the opened window, select ‘Automatic’ from ‘Startup type’ dropdown and hit ‘Start’ button under ‘Service Status’ section, and then hit ‘Apply’ and ‘Ok’ button to save the changes.

Method 10: Repair the problematic removable drive for corruption

If the issue is still persist, then you can try to fix the issue by running repair the corrupted removable media drive for the corruption.

Step 1: Open ‘File Explorer’ in Windows PC, right-click on the problematic drive and select ‘Properties’

Step 2: Click ‘Tools’ tab and click ‘Check’ button under ‘Error Checking’ section and click ‘Yes’ if asked for confirmation.

Step 3: Click ‘Scan and repair drive’ link and wait to finish the process and once done, retry copying the files/folders to removable media drive and check if works for you.

Conclusion

I am sure this post helped you on How to fix Error 0x80070052: The directory or file cannot be created in Windows 10/8/7 with several easy steps/methods. You can read & follow our instructions to do so. That’s all. For any suggestions or queries, please write on comment box below.