How To Fix Compressed Folder is Invalid Error on Windows 11

Did you just encounter the “Compressed Folder is Invalid” error on Windows 11? Well, you’re not alone. This error message typically occurs when you try to open or extract a compressed folder that is corrupted or damaged.

When you create a compressed folder, it undergoes a process of compression where its contents are packed together using a specific algorithm. If an issue occurs during this compression process, such as an interruption or error, the resulting compressed folder can become invalid or corrupted.

So, what exactly is a compressed folder? For those of you who are unaware, a compressed folder on Windows is a smaller version of a regular folder or file created using a special method to reduce its size. It’s like packing files or folders into a smaller container, making it easier to store, share, or transfer. The compressed folder typically has a .zip extension and can be created using built-in tools or third-party software.

If you are stuck with the “Compressed folder is invalid” error on Windows, we’re here to help you. In this post, we have listed a variety of workarounds that you can use to resolve the zipped folder invalid issue via simple troubleshooting.

Let’s get started.

Also read: How To Find A Compressed Zip Folder On Your Hard Disk?

How to Fix the Compressed Folder is Invalid Error on Windows?

If you encounter the “Compressed Folder is Invalid” error on Windows, you can try the following solutions to fix the issue.

Solution 1: Check the integrity of the compressed folder

Step 1: Right-click on the compressed folder, select “Properties”, and then click on the “Advanced” button in the General tab.

Step 2: Check the box that says “Allow this file to have contents indexed in addition to file” option and click on “OK”.

This will compress the folder again, and you can then try to open or extract the newly created compressed folder.

Solution 2: Run the File and Folder Troubleshooter

Step 1: Head to Microsoft’s official website and download the File and Folder troubleshooter on your device.

Step 2: Launch the tool and tap on “Advanced”. Now, check on the “Apply Repairs Automatically” option. Hit on the “Next” button.

Step 3: Follow the on-screen instructions to run the file and folder troubleshooter on your device. Reboot your device and check if the error was resolved.

Solution 3: Configure the Folder Settings

Here comes another effective workaround to fix the “Compressed folder is invalid” error. By making a quick little change in the compressed folder’s settings, you may be able to get rid of the error. Follow these steps:

Step 1: Right-click on the compressed folder and select “Properties”. In the Properties window, switch to the “Customize” tab.

Step 2: Set the “Optimize this folder” to “General Items” using the drop-down menu.

Step 3: Check on the “Also apply the template to all subfolders” option.

Step 4: Hit on the OK and Apply buttons to save the changes. Reboot your device and open the compressed folder to see if you are still facing the issue.

Also read: How Do You Enable File Compression In Windows 11

Solution 4: Repair the Corrupt System Files and Settings

By running an SFC (System File Checker) scan on your Windows PC, you can easily fix the compressed folder is invalid error. Here’s what you need to do.

Step 1: Tap on the search icon placed on the Taskbar, type “Command Prompt” and select “Run as administrator”.

Step 2: In the Terminal window, run the SFC tool by typing this command:

sfc/scannow

Wait for a couple of minutes until the scanning process is completed. Exit all windows, and restart your machine after running the SFC command. The SFC tool is not specifically designed to fix the “Compressed Folder is Invalid” error, running an SFC scan may help in identifying and repairing any corrupted system files that could potentially affect the functionality of Windows, including the compression and extraction of folders.

Solution 5: Fix Corrupted Microsoft Visual Programs

Step 1: Open the Control Panel app and head to the “Programs and Features” section. Select “Uninstall a Program”.

Step 2: Right-click on the “Microsoft Visual C++” directories and select “Change”.

After clicking on the Repair button in the subsequent window, simply follow the on-screen instructions provided. Once completed, restart your device to ensure that the changes are saved.

Also read: How To Enable Or Disable NTFS File Compression On Windows 11

Solution 6: Restart the File Explorer App

Step 1: Press the Control + Shift + Escape key combination to open the Task Manager.

Step 2: In the Task Manager window, switch to the “Processes” tab.

Step 3: Look for the “Windows Explorer” app in the list. Right-click on it and select “Restart”.

File Explorer is a crucial Windows tool that allows you to access files and folders on your computer. Occasionally, you may encounter an error in File Explorer due to a minor glitch or bug. By restarting the File Explorer app, you will be able to resolve the error within no time.

Also read: Is it Safe to Use Windows’ Full-Drive Compression to Save Space?

Conclusion

This wraps up our post on how to fix the compressed folder is invalid error on Windows 11. Encountering the “Compressed Folder is Invalid” error on Windows can be annoying, but there are several steps you can take to resolve the issue. From checking the file’s integrity, repairing the compressed folder, and updating Windows, to running the SFC scan. you have various options to fix the error and regain access to your compressed files and folders.

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