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How to fix 0x800703EE error when copying to external storage on Windows 10?

Criminals have become more cunning in introducing malware to devices. So, as a safety precaution, users should always save their files on an external hard drive. However, these days, many users complained they’re getting the 0x800703EE error message whenever they tried to copy files to an external storage device. Usually, the message would say, “The volume for a file has been externally altered so that the opened file is no longer valid.”

If you’re experiencing the same problem, do not panic because you can still repair the 0x800703EE error on external storage. Keep reading this post to learn how.

Why Do I Get the 0x800703EE Error Code?

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:

  • Conflict with a third-party anti-virus – If you have a third-party anti-virus installed on your computer, it might be overly zealous in protecting your device. It is likely locking the file for transfer. What you can do is disable real-time protection or switch off the anti-virus entirely.
  • Damaged or corrupted USB controllers – Corrupted or improperly installed USB controllers can also cause the problem to appear. To resolve this issue, you need to uninstall and reinstall them.
  • Issue with a backup program – Are you using programs like FBackup, Ease US, or Acronis True Image? These applications have been known to behave erratically when they process a file that is being used by another third-party program.
  • Disabled Windows Backup and Volume Shadow Copy features – When 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.
  • System file corruption – If there are corrupted, damaged, or missing system files, Windows may not be able to perform basic tasks like copying files. In this case, we recommend running an SFC scan.

No matter the reason behind the issue, we will help you resolve the problem. Let us teach you how to fix the 0x800703EE Error when copying to an external storage device. By the end of this guide, you will be able to move files without any hindrance.

Solution 1: Disable Your Third-Party Anti-Virus

As we’ve mentioned, your third-party anti-virus could be blocking the file transfer in an effort to keep your PC secure. So, we suggest that you temporarily disable your security software program. After doing that, check if you can copy files to your external storage device without any issues.

If problems like this frequently happen, we suggest that you switch to a different anti-virus. There are many security software apps out there, but Auslogics Anti-Malware is among the few that will provide reliable protection. Since it was created by a certified Microsoft Silver Application Developer, it is compatible with Windows operating systems. You can ensure that it won’t interfere with common system processes.

Solution 2: Reinstalling the USB Controller Drivers

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 to perform this procedure. Here are the steps:

  1. On your keyboard, press Windows Key+R.
  2. Inside the Run dialog box, type “devmgmt.msc” (no quotes), then hit Enter.
  3. Once Device Manager is up, click Universal Serial Bus Controllers to expand the list below it.
  4. Right-click an entry, then select Uninstall Device. Perform this step on all the entries.
  5. Restart your computer and make sure that you are connected to the Internet. Let your operating system install the missing drivers.

It is worth noting that Device Manager has been known to miss the latest driver versions. So, you might end up visiting the manufacturer’s website. On the other hand, if you choose to go this path, you need to be cautious. If you install the wrong drivers, you might cause system instability issues.

Thankfully, there is an easier and more reliable way to update drivers. You can use Auslogics Driver Updater and automate the process. After installing this app, it will automatically recognize your operating system version and processor type. With one click of a button, you will be able to update all your drivers to the latest versions.

Solution 3: Performing an SFC Scan

One of the great things about the Windows operating system is that it has a built-in utility that fixes corrupted or damaged system files. So, to resolve the issue, we suggest that you use System File Checker and perform a scan. Here are the steps:

  1. Launch the Run dialog box by pressing Windows Key+R on your keyboard.
  2. Inside the box, type “cmd” (no quotes).
  3. Now, you need to open an elevated version of Command Prompt. To do this, press Ctrl+Shift+Enter on your keyboard.
  4. Click Yes if prompted to provide permission to the app.
  5. Inside Command Prompt, type “sfc /scannow” (no quotes), then hit Enter. The SFC scan will start. Avoid interfering with the process until it is complete.
  6. Once the process is complete, restart your system. Open an elevated version of Command Prompt once more, then run the command line below:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Note: Again, you should avoid interfering with the process. It will take several minutes to complete.

After running the scans, restart your system and check if the issue is gone.

Which of the solutions helped you resolve the 0x800703EE Error?

Let us know in the comments below!