Software⏱️ 3 min read📅 2026-06-15

How to Fix: "Can’t read from the source file or disk" error when copying particular files

Error copying files from internal HDD to external HDD in Windows 10, with similar issues on different external drives and within the same drive.

Quick Answer: Try running a disk check on the internal HDD using the built-in Check Disk (chkdsk) tool or a third-party utility like CrystalDiskInfo.

📋 Table of Contents

  1. 💡 Why You Are Getting This Error
  2. 🚀 How to Resolve This Issue
  3. 💡 Conclusion

The 'Can't read from the source file or disk' error occurs when Windows is unable to access files on your computer's internal HDD, preventing you from copying them to an external HDD. This issue affects users who are trying to back up large amounts of data, such as photos, and can be frustrating due to its intermittent nature.

Despite the limited scope of this problem, it still causes significant inconvenience for those affected. In this troubleshooting guide, we will explore possible reasons behind this error and provide steps to resolve it.

💡 Why You Are Getting This Error

  • The 'Can't read from the source file or disk' error can be caused by a corrupted file system or a specific file that is causing issues with access. When you try to copy files, Windows may not be able to read the source file due to various reasons such as file system errors, disk fragmentation, or malware infections.
  • Another possible reason for this error could be related to the way Windows handles timestamps and file metadata. In some cases, files that were taken on the same day and within a minute of each other may have slightly different timestamps or metadata, which can cause issues with access.

🚀 How to Resolve This Issue

Re-creating the affected files

  1. Step 1: Open the affected file in its original application (e.g., Adobe Lightroom or Windows Photos) and re-save it to a new location on your computer's internal HDD. This will create a fresh copy of the file with updated metadata.
  2. Step 2: Repeat this process for all three affected files, making sure to save each one to a different location to avoid any potential conflicts.

Using third-party file repair tools

  1. Step 1: Download and install a reputable file repair tool such as Recuva or EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard. These tools can scan your computer's internal HDD for corrupted files and fix any issues that may be causing the 'Can't read from the source file or disk' error.
  2. Step 2: Run the file repair tool on your affected files, following the software's instructions to identify and repair any corrupted data.

💡 Conclusion

The 'Can't read from the source file or disk' error can be resolved by re-creating the affected files or using third-party file repair tools. By following these steps, you should be able to access your files and complete your backup process successfully.

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