Fix Windows Error 0x80070570 The File Or Directory Is Corrupted (2025)

Updated: 11/29/2025

While copying files, deleting a folder, or installing Windows, you suddenly get Error 0x80070570 with a message that the file or directory is corrupted and unreadable. The process stops partway and repeating it often fails at the exact same point. This error usually means Windows is having trouble reading data reliably from a drive, either because of file system corruption, bad sectors, or damaged installation media.

Table of Contents

Method 1: Test The Drive And Try A Different Port Or Device

If you see this error while installing Windows from a USB or DVD, recreate the installer on a new USB stick using the official Media Creation Tool. Scratched discs or worn flash drives are common culprits for unreadable file errors during setup.

Warning: If you suspect a drive is failing, prioritize copying critical files off it as soon as possible instead of repeatedly stressing it with large transfers and scans.

Method 2: Run CHKDSK To Repair File System And Mark Bad Sectors

Reboot if prompted and allow CHKDSK to run without interruption, this can take a long time on large or partially damaged disks. Once finished, read the summary for notes about bad clusters or repaired files, then try the original copy, delete, or install operation again to see if Error 0x80070570 is gone.

Method 3: Repair Windows System Files And Use Alternative Paths

When migrating important files away from a problematic drive, move them in smaller groups to a known good disk or external drive. This reduces the chance that a single corrupt file will fail the entire operation and helps isolate any remaining problematic items that continue to trigger Error 0x80070570.