Instant Fixes: The Volume for a File Externally Altered

Troubling into the volume for a file externally altered error and wondering how to fix it? Why does this error message keep popping up? Now read this post on MiniTool to get several efficient workarounds to fix this vexing issue.

Have you received an error message says the volume for a file externally altered when you want to copy some files to your external hard drive? Encountering this error can be very annoying and frustrating, as the error message keeps popping up to prevent you from accessing the files. It indicates problems regarding the reliability of the data stored within the volume.

The complete error message is: The volume for a file has been externally altered so that the opened file is no longer valid.”

It has simple error messages “The volume for a file externally altered” and then a black background. When I try to remove the error by clicking the x, it pops up again. If you keep pressing x about 20-30 times, the message goes away but the black background remains and I can't use my computer. I just need to extract some old files from it so I don't mind if it's not a perfect solution. Please help.answers.microsoft.com

Possible Causes of the Volume for a File Externally Altered Error

Below are several common reasons why this error occurs:

• Corrupted File System: A malfunctioning file system on the external drive can create discrepancies in file data, resulting in this error.
• Incomplete Transfer: Abruptly unplugging a USB drive while files are being transferred can leave the file only partially saved, leading to corruption.
• Antivirus Disruption: Certain antivirus programs might aggressively scan external drives, which can disrupt file access and cause this error.
• Defective Hardware: A malfunctioning USB port or a damaged external drive can cause problems with data read/write operations, resulting in the “the volume for a file externally altered” notification.
• File System Incompatibilities: If the file system on the external drive differs from your computer’s (for example, FAT32 compared to NTFS), it may create complications during file transfers.

Necessary Step: Recover Files from Volume with a File Externally Altered Error

Before proceeding to the specified methods, be sure first to scan and restore your essential files to prevent data loss. If you encounter file system issues, system crashes, or accidental file deletions, MiniTool Power Data Recovery is a reliable and free tool for data recovery.

This tool provides a comprehensive solution for recovering deleted files across different situations, ensuring the highest level of data retrieval.

To obtain this robust data recovery software, simply click the green button below to download and install it.

Let’s learn how to recover files using MiniTool Power Data Recovery.

Step 1. Scan the Partition

Launch MiniTool Power Data Recovery. By default, you will locate the Logical Drives tab. In this window, select the target partition where the volume for a file externally altered error appears and click the Scan button. Please wait patiently to get the best scanning result.

Step 2. Preview and Check the Desired Files

After scanning, you may notice that all files are listed by file path under the Path tab. This is the default file display mode of this software. In addition to finding the required files by expanding folders one by one, you can also use the Filter, Preview, Type, and Search features. Check the boxes in front of the wanted files.

Step 3. Save the Wanted Files

Click the Save button to store the checked files. In the pop-up window, select an appropriate location to store the recovered files and click OK. The location must be different from the original location to avoid data overwriting.

How to Fix the Volume for a File Externally Altered Error

Fix 1. Uninstalling Third-Party Antivirus & Disabling Real-Time Protection

The volume for a file externally altered error might be caused by your Antivirus software, as it could be excessively protecting your system and disrupting file transfer activities.

To address this issue, depending on the Antivirus program you are using, access its settings.

Step 1: Navigate to the Control Panel > Programs and Features and uninstall any Third-Party Antivirus programs.

Step 2: Launch Windows Security using the search bar.

Step 3: Go to Virus & threat protection > Manage settings.

Step 4: Disable Real-time protection.

Step 5: In the pop-up window, click the Yes button to confirm the change.

Fix 2. Checking Volume Shadow Copy & Windows Backup Services are Running

Volume Shadow Copy is a feature in Microsoft Windows that enables users to create manual or automatic backups or snapshots of their computer drives or files.

Step 1. Press Win R to open the Run dialog box.

Step 2. Type services.msc in the Run dialog box and hit Enter.

Step 3. Locate Volume Shadow Copy and Windows Backup, right-click on them, and select Start. Wait until the process is complete.

Fix 3. Update Windows to fix the volume for a file externally altered error

To resolve the issue of encountering a “the volume for a file externally altered” error, it’s important to update your Windows operating system. This can help ensure that your system’s files are up to date and functioning correctly, potentially eliminating conflicts or glitches that may cause this error.

Step 1: Press Win I to launch Windows Settings and go to Update & Security.

Step 2: Click the Check for updates button.

Step 3: Follow the prompts to install any available updates, and restart your computer afterward to apply the changes effectively.

Fix 4. Update the Driver

When transferring the files to your external driver, you may encounter the volume for a file externally altered error. The outdated driver may trigger this issue. Therefore, you can update it to fix it.

Step 1: Press Win X and select Device Manager.

Step 2: Find and right-click on the faulty driver and select Update Driver. After updating, restart the system and the error should be gone.

Bottom Line

This post introduces a professional and robust data recovery tool to help you rescue your data securely and effectively and 4 feasible methods to fix the volume for a file externally altered error. Hope the information is useful for you.

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