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Can't delete corrupted and unreadable files from the Steam app cache. Error 0x80070570

Anonymous
2020-05-20T14:18:57+00:00

Happened since today that my Steam app refused to open. Checking in Task Manager showed that the app is open and running, but trying to end the process wouldn't work. Trying to open the app again didn't do anything. I tried restarting my PC but the same problem persists. I tried to look up on Steam Support if something could help. I tried removing the cache folder first. When I selected "Delete", A prompt showed up saying it's deleting the files. But after it finished I still see the folder there. I tried removing it again but now nothing will happen. There are no more prompts showing and the files are still there. Next I decided to uninstall the app, but after I've done it, the cache folder still remained there along with a couple other folders that I can't remove either. When I go into the folders and try to delete the specific files, the prompt with the error 0x80070570 shows up. Trying to open other folders would give me a different prompt: "The file or directory is corrupted and unreadable" but this time no error code. I tried restarting Windows Explorer and restarting my PC a couple times but it's the same problem. Next I tried reinstalling Steam in the same directory but it wouldn't let me because it has to be an empty directory. So I renamed the folder with the corrupted files to something else. From there on, Steam works normally now. But I still have those corrupted files stuck on my hard disk and I don't know how to get rid of them.

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Performance and system failures

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  1. Anonymous
    2020-05-20T17:31:46+00:00

    Hello,

    Ah I see. The Corruption seems to be a bit deeper. Then we need to perform a Disk Scan and Repair. To do so please proceed with these steps:

    • Click Windows Start and Type CMD, Run as Administrator,
    • Type chkdsk D: /r ,
    • Windows will ask that the drive is in use to proceed type Y and hit enter,
    • This will take a long time based on the Disk Size and it is advised to not use the PC in the meantime.

    My advice would be to Perform it during sleeping Hours. After the Disk check is completed the folder now should be deletable.

    Please let me know of the outcome.

    Sincerely

    Independent Advisor

    Harun

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  1. Anonymous
    2020-05-20T22:26:30+00:00

    Hello again Harun,

    The last thing you guided seems to have worked! The corrupted files we're deleted and the remaining folders were able to be deleted manually by myself. It also found another corrupted file somewhere else on the disk, so this task really helped me out more than I would've thought of. The process took around 1 hour to complete for me.

    Thanks again for helping me out, and I wish you good luck on helping other clients on this platform!

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  2. Anonymous
    2020-05-20T14:46:46+00:00

    Hello,

    Thank you for reaching out. I am Harun an Independent Advisor and Microsoft User. I will gladly help you out.

    To delete corrupted files there are several ways to do that. I would recommend two ways. Using CMD or Safe Mode. I will Explain bot Methods.

    Deleting Corrupted Files Using CMD:

    • Click windows Start
    • Type CMD
    • Right Click on CMD and Select Runs as Administrator,
    • On a normal window Navigate to the Steam Folder where the File you renamed is located,
    • Copy and Paste this Code into CMD RD /S /Q <Folder Path>
    • Delete the <Folder Path>
    • Return to the file location, Right Click on the Renamed Folder while pressing Shift on your Keyboard,
    • This will allow to an Option Called " Copy as Path " to be available,
    • Select Copy as Path and paste it into the CMD windows,
    • It should look like this RD /S /Q C:\Program Files\Steam\Cache\Blabla ,
    • Hit enter,

    The Folder should be deleted now.

    You also can enter windows Safe Mode to delete the folder in safe mode to do that please proceed as following:

    • Click Windows Start,
    • Type msconfig ,
    • Hit Enter
    • On the System Configuration Windows Find the Check Box called Safe Boot in the Lower Left Corner under Boot options and select it,
    • Click apply,
    • Restart PC,

    In safe mode try to delete the folder normally using right click delete or by using CMD as above.

    Please feel free to ask for more Information and let me know if this helps.

    Sincerely

    Independent Advisor

    Harun

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  4. Anonymous
    2020-05-20T16:36:57+00:00

    Hello Harun,

    Thanks for helping me out on this. I tried doing the things you said now, but the problem still seems to persist.

    This is what I see in the CMD:

    It seems that it detected all the corrupted files in the folder. But all it says is that the files are corrupted and unreadable. I can still see the folder on my disk, so I suppose it failed to get removed.

    I tried doing it with Safe Mode too, but unfortunately no success.

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