Many a times when working with files in our computers, while accessing some files we may receive an error message saying, ‘The file you are trying to access is corrupted’.
This can be happen due to several reasons for instance, the file may not be copied properly or the files parameters are not correct enough. Any type of files may get corrupted like music files, documents, system files etc.
So, let’s discuss what corrupted files are, what make them corrupted and what you can do to prevent your files from being damaged. Here are the solutions to all these problems:
What are corrupted files
Corrupted files are files that no longer work properly. These can vary from files that you use regularly (such as pictures that you’ve imported from a digital camera) to system or program files that work behind the scenes.
What should you do if you encounter a corrupted file?
Most corrupted files can’t be repaired and you should delete or replace them. However, you can occasionally use a program to repair a corrupted file (or at least salvage some of the data within the file). Some programs of this type are available on the web.
If the file is a system or program file, you can check your hard disk for errors. If any bad files are reported, Windows might be able to repair them.
What if you can’t fix a corrupted file?
Either delete the file or, if you previously backed up your computer’s hard disk, try to retrieve an older version of the file to replace the corrupted version. If the corrupted file is an important system or program file, you might need to reinstall the program that the corrupted file is associated with.
How do I prevent files from becoming corrupted?
It’s rare for a file to become corrupted. Typically, it happens when something goes wrong while the file is being saved. For example, the program saving the file might stop working, or your computer might lose power just as the file is being saved.
You can decrease the chances of a file becoming corrupted by protecting your computer’s power with a surge suppressor or with an uninterruptible power supply (UPS). Also, always make sure you turn off your computer properly. Avoid pressing and holding the power button because it usually forces Windows to shut down abruptly.
Use proper security software on your computer such as Antivirus, Anti Spyware etc. to protect your important files from viruses and other threats because viruses and Trojans are another major source of file corruption on a PC.
Sourced from Microsoft.
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