If you’re seeing the ERROR_FILE_NOT_FOUND error message on your Windows computer, don’t worry. There are several troubleshooting methods you can try to fix the problem.

1. Repair Your Registry

Go to Start, type cmd, right-click Command Prompt, and select Run as Administrator.

Now type the following command:

SFC /scannow

Wait for the scanning process to complete, and then restart your computer. All corrupted files will be replaced on reboot.

The simplest way to repair your registry is to use a dedicated tool, such as CCleaner. Before making any changes, don’t forget to back up your registry in case anything goes wrong.

If you haven’t installed a registry cleaner on your computer, check out our article on the best registry cleaners to use on Windows 10 PCs.

You can also use Microsoft’s System File Checker to check for system file corruption. Use the steps above to run an SFC scan.

Has the SFC /scannow command stopped before the process finished? Don’t worry, we’ve got an easy fix for you.

2. Update Your OS

Make sure that you’re running the latest Windows OS updates on your machine.

As a quick reminder, Microsoft constantly rolls out Windows updates to improve system stability and fix various issues.

Go to Windows Update, check for updates, and install the available updates.

To access the Windows Update section, you can simply type update in the search box. This method works on all Windows versions.

3. Clean Your Temporary Files and Folders

Go to Start.

Type Disk Cleanup and launch the tool.

Select the disk that you want to clean. The tool will then tell you how much space you can free up.

Select Clean up system files.

The simplest and quickest way to delete your temporary files and folders is to use Disk Cleanup.

As you use your computer or browse the Internet, your PC accumulates various unnecessary files.

These so-called junk files may affect your computer’s processing speed, causing apps to respond slowly and may also trigger various error codes, including the ERROR_FILE_NOT_FOUND error message.

4. Run the CHKDSK Command

Go to Start and type cmd.

Right-click the first result and launch Command Prompt as Administrator.

Enter the following command:

chkdsk /f X:

Replace X with the appropriate letter of your partition and hit Enter.

Wait for CHKDSK to repair your files.

The chkdsk command helps you detect and repair various disk issues, including corrupted files and folders.

If you’re having trouble accessing Command Prompt as an administrator, then you should take a closer look at this guide.

5. Download the File Again

This error can also occur while installing downloaded apps and programs.

Sometimes your download can become damaged or corrupted, which may trigger the “file not found” error.

In this case, try downloading the respective file or the entire app again.

You can also use a dedicated download manager for this task.

6. Remove the Windows.old Folder

The Windows.old folder may also cause various errors.

As a quick reminder, the Windows.old folder appears when you upgrade your Windows version or perform a clean install of Windows 10.

The purpose of this folder is to keep your previous Windows installation files, allowing you to restore them.

Here’s how to remove the Windows.old folder with ease.

7. Change the Location of the File

Moving the file affected by the file not found error to a different folder may fix the problem.

Try moving the file to a different folder on the same drive.

If this doesn’t work, try moving it to a different drive.

8. Remove Conflicting Software

If you received the file not found error shortly after installing a new app or program on your computer, try uninstalling the respective app or program.

Sometimes, various third-party apps may interfere with the file that you’re trying to open.

To remove a program, go to Start and type Control Panel.

Launch the tool and click Uninstall a program.

Locate the application that you think is causing the problem and uninstall it.

Can’t open Control Panel? Take a look at this step-by-step guide to find a solution.

9. Disable Your Antivirus

Sometimes, your antivirus may block the file that you are trying to open.

Temporarily disable your antivirus and then try to open the file again.

If this doesn’t work, try downloading the file again.

Open it and see if this works now.

Don’t forget to enable your antivirus after you finish downloading the file.

Still Experiencing the ERROR_FILE_NOT_FOUND Error?

Are you still experiencing the FILE_NOT_FOUND error message after following the troubleshooting steps listed above?

Use the comments section below to tell us about it.

If you’ve come across other workarounds for this error, feel free to share the troubleshooting steps in the comments section below as well.

If completely removing a program from your PC is needed, be sure to check out our top uninstaller software picks.