/ Dealing with Corrupt Files

Dealing with Corrupt Files

I can’t open some files which I desperately need. Every time I try to open them it reads “could not open ‘xxxxx’ because it is either not a supported file type or because the file has been damaged.” Please help; I need the info on these files. Susan Keenan

It sounds as though your files have become corrupted for one reason or another. This can happen due to an improper shut down, a virus, or wear and tear. Depending on the type of file, different solutions exist. For example, if the files are Word documents, several options are available as discussed below. If the file types are of a different nature, let us know what types of files they are and we’ll be able to offer additional suggestions.

Opening Corrupted Word Files: Repair Feature

If the documents that you are trying to open were created in Microsoft Word, then you might be able to use this set of directions to access the files.

Open your Microsoft Word Application.
Navigate to the File menu in the top left-hand corner and click.
Select the option for Open. The dialog box to open a file appears.
Select one of the files that you are trying to recover.
Navigate to the lower right-hand corner of the box and click on the option “Open.”
Browse through your choices and select “Open and Repair.”

A variation to the above strategies might be necessary if the file includes a format other than Word. For example, if the file is a text file. Simply follow this strategy which is the same as the above with one added step:

Open up your Microsoft Word Application.
Navigate to the File menu located in the upper left-hand corner and click.
Select the option for “Open” to open the dialog box.
Select one of the files that you are trying to recover.
Navigate to the bottom of the dialog box. Click on the arrow next to “Files of Type” and make your selection or simply select “all files.”
Navigate to the lower right-hand corner of the box and click on the option “Open.”
Browse through your choices and select the one for “Open and Repair.”

Opening Corrupted Word Files: Backup Files

Since many applications automatically create backup files of our work, you might be able to retrieve your data from the backup version of the file. The backup file should be labeled as .wbk so it is easily recognizable. Simply rename the file as .doc so that you can open it.

Opening Corrupted Word Files: Scan Disk Utility

You can also see if using the scan disk utility will help to fix errors and allow you to access the files that you want. Follow these steps to set it up to run:

Navigate to Start.
Select Programs.
Select Accessories.
Select System Tools.
Select Scan Disk. Make sure you also select the correct drive for scanning. Select the option for a thorough scan as well as automatically fix errors.

What Causes File Corruption?

Computer crashes and improper shutdowns can lead to file corruption, but so can the presence of a virus or Trojan. Therefore, you should run a virus scan to check for the presence of malware so that you can remove it right away and prevent this from happening again. You can try Anti-Virus PLUS if you don’t have an anti-virus/anti-spyware application of your own.