{"id":11281,"date":"2023-10-02T20:36:27","date_gmt":"2023-10-02T20:36:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/?p=11281"},"modified":"2025-04-18T06:43:47","modified_gmt":"2025-04-18T06:43:47","slug":"fix-0x800703ee-error-when-copying-to-external-storage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/fix-0x800703ee-error-when-copying-to-external-storage\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Fix 0x800703EE Error When Copying to External Storage on Windows 10"},"content":{"rendered":"

Criminals have become more cunning in introducing malware to devices. For example, a woman fell victim to a CryptoWall ransomware, encrypting 5,726 essential data. The attacker demanded $500 within the first week or $1,000 in the next week. She couldn’t pay, so she had to beg to prevent the price increase.<\/p>\n

This incident highlights the dangers of malware and how you should secure your files. One way is to save your files on an external hard drive.<\/p>\n

However, many users complain they get the 0x800703ee error message when copying files to an external storage device.<\/p>\n

Usually, the message would say, “The volume for a file has been externally altered so that the opened file is no longer valid.”<\/p>\n

This guide will show you how to fix the error 0x800703ee.<\/p>\n

Let’s begin.<\/p>\n

What Is Windows 10 Error Code 0x800703ee?<\/h2>\n

The Windows 10 error 0x800703ee usually occurs when you try to copy or transfer files to an external storage device, such as a USB drive<\/a> or an external hard drive<\/a><\/p>\n

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Several things can cause this error, such as corrupted system files, problems with the external storage device, or issues with the Windows operating system. <\/p>\n

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Related: <\/strong>How to Fix External Hard Drive Too Slow to Open Files?<\/a><\/p>\n

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Why Do I Get the 0x800703EE Error Code?<\/h2>\n

To learn how to fix the 0x800703EE error on Windows 10, you need to understand what causes it in the first place. Various problems could be behind this error message, and here are some of them: <\/p>\n

1. Conflict with a Third-Party Antivirus<\/h3>\n

\nIf you have a third-party antivirus installed on your computer, it might be overly zealous in protecting your device. It’s likely locking the file for transfer. You can disable real-time protection or switch off the antivirus entirely.\n<\/p>\n

2. Damaged or Corrupted USB Controllers<\/h3>\n

\nCorrupted or improperly installed USB controllers can also cause the problem to appear. To resolve this issue, you need to uninstall and reinstall them.\n<\/p>\n

3. An Issue with a Backup Program<\/h3>\n

\nAre you using programs like FBackup, Ease US, or Acronis True Image? These applications have been known to behave erratically when they process a file used by another third-party program.<\/p>\n

This can cause the message “the volume for a file has been externally altered” to appear.\n<\/p>\n

4. Disabled Windows Backup and Volume Shadow Copy Features<\/h3>\n

\nWhen these two services are disabled, the 0x800703ee error can appear. Your operating system depends on these services when copying or moving files. So, you need to check if they are enabled.\n<\/p>\n

5. System File Corruption<\/h3>\n

\nIf there are corrupted, damaged, or missing system files, Windows may be unable to perform basic tasks like copying files. In this case, we recommend running an SFC scan.<\/p>\n

No matter the reason behind the issue, we’ll help you resolve the problem. Let’s show you how to fix the error 0x800703ee when copying to an external storage device. By the end of this guide, you’ll be able to move files without any issues.\n<\/p>\n

How to Fix 0x800703ee Error<\/h2>\n

\nBelow are the various ways to fix the error “the volume for a file has been externally altered.” Go through each of them and find the one that works for you:\n<\/p>\n

Solution 1: Disable Your Third-Party Antivirus<\/h3>\n

\nAs mentioned earlier, your third-party antivirus could block the file transfer to keep your PC secure. So, temporarily disable your security software program. After that, check if you can copy files to your external storage device without the error 0x800703ee.<\/p>\n

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PRO TIP<\/div>\r\n
If problems like this frequently happen, switch to a different antivirus. Many security software apps are out there, and Auslogics Anti-Malware<\/a> is among the few that will provide reliable protection.<\/p>\n

Since a certified Microsoft Silver Application Developer created it, it’s compatible with Windows operating systems. You can ensure that it won’t interfere with common system processes.<\/div>\r\n

\r\n Download for Free<\/a>\r\n Learn More<\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\n
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Related: <\/strong>What if Windows 10 Prevents Antivirus Installation?<\/a><\/p>\n

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Solution 2: Reinstalling the USB Controller Drivers<\/h3>\n

You might have issues transferring your files because of malfunctioning USB controller drivers. So, we recommend that you reinstall these drivers to resolve the issue. You can use the Device Manager<\/a> to perform this process. Here are the steps: <\/p>\n