If you receive Compressed (Zipped) Folders Error, File not found or No read permission while zipping in Windows 11/10, then this post will help you. Windows 11/10 makes it easy for users to create ZIP folders. Unlike in earlier Windows editions, all you have to do in Windows 11/10 is right-click on the files and go to Send to > Compressed (zipped) folder.
However, you may face a challenge where instead of the files to be added to a new ZIP archive, the operation returns an error that says:
Compressed (Zipped) Folders Error, File not found or No read permission
This error could also occur when you try to create the ZIP folder using JScript. Despite what caused the error on your system, it all points to a permissions issue.
Although the situation is tricky, you can clear the error message and fix it quickly. Read this guide to the end to learn two easy ways to get rid of this problem on your Windows 10 machine.
Fix Compressed (zipped) folders error in Windows 11/10
The File not found or No Read permission error pops up when your user account doesn’t have sufficient permissions for a folder or file that you want to add to the ZIP folder. To remove the Compressed (Zipped) Folders Error, File not found or No read permission while zipping in Windows 11/10, try out the fixes below:
- Reboot your PC
- Create a new user account.
- Get special permissions to the contents of the ZIP.
- Use third-party compression software.
Continue reading this guide for detailed steps for resolving this issue.
File not found or no read permission while zipping
1] Reboot your PC
This issue can primarily occur if you have a file open by another program in the directory you are trying to zip. We, therefore, suggest that you reboot your PC and try.
2] Create a new user account
Click on the Start menu button and select the gear icon to open Settings. You can also get there using the Windows key + I combination. Go to the Accounts tile in Settings.
On the left-hand panel, select the Family & other users option.
Select the Add someone else to this PC option with the plus button.
If it asks you to enter a Microsoft account and you don’t have one, hit the I don’t have this person’s sign-in information link and either create one or click on the I don’t have this person’s sign-in information option to create with a user name and password.
Complete the new user account creation following the on-screen instructions. On completion of the process, press the CTRL + ALT + DELETE key combination and click on Sign out.
Finally, sign in to the newly created user account and try to make the zip folder again. If the error persists, then continue to the next solution below.
3] Get special permissions to the contents of the ZIP
An interesting solution that users have also used to get rid of the error is by ensuring that the contents of the ZIP have no special permissions. This goes especially for folders that contain protected ZIP archives that require special copy permissions.
Take a look at the files or folders that you wish to add to the new ZIP folder. If there’s a ZIP folder in there, right-click on it and select Properties.
In the Properties window, navigate to the Security tab. Select your user account from the Group or user names box and confirm that you have Allow privileges for Special permissions.
If your user account doesn’t have special permissions, then hit the Edit button, select your user account, and assign the permissions to the user. Click on Apply and OK to save your settings and close the window.
In a situation where you’re unable to get the required permissions, you can exclude the protected ZIP folder and add the rest of the files to your new ZIP.
4] Use third-party compression software
If nothing helps, use third-party free compression software like- 7-Zip.
After going through the above solutions and applying them as instructed in this guide, you should be able to create the new ZIP folder with no errors. The third solution doesn’t only apply to protected ZIP folders. Check all of the items that you wish to add to the ZIP archive and assign the required permissions to any image, video, document, etc. for which you lack the copy privileges.
