The error message – ‘The system cannot find the file specified’ is a common Windows error, mainly Windows 10. It points to the error code 0x80070002. But then, depending on the type of failure, OS specification, and a few other indicators, the code may vary.
Some of the reasons for this error are:
- Abnormal registry keys
- Missing files for a specific software
- Connection issues
- Missing driver file
Here is a list of fixes you can try out to resolve error - ‘The system cannot find the file specified’.
Fix 1: Run Antivirus Software
The common sources of error are virus and malware attacks. So to address this issue, you can install an antivirus software on your system, and run it. The software will scan the system, and clean the malicious data including other junk files.
Fix 2: Install Windows Updates
Installing Windows updates will also fix the issue. The steps are as follows:
- Press Windows + I keys
- Select Update & security
- Click on the Check for Updates button
- Install all the updates
- Once done, restart the system
Tip: After Windows updates, if you have lost data, then you can make use of this Windows Recovery software to restore your files.
Fix 3: Uninstall and Reinstall drivers
Another method is to uninstall and reinstall drivers. Check out these steps:
- Go to Device Manager
- Double-click to expand the category
- Select the device you want to uninstall, right-click on it, and select Uninstall option from the context menu
- In the confirmation dialog box, checkmark Delete the driver software for this device and then click OK
- Now, you have to reinstall the driver.
Fix 4: Check System Log
To check for system log file problems, follow these steps:
1. Go to the C:/Windows/inf directory in Explorer and open the "Inf" folder.
2. Locate the setupapi.dev (or setupapi.dev.log) file and double-click on it.
3. Press [Ctrl] + [F] to open the search box. Type "cannot find the file" or "cannot find the file specified" and press [Enter]. This will identify the missing or not found file.
4. Copy the found file and paste it into the "Inf" folder.
5. Reinstall the affected driver and reboot your system.
Conclusion:
The error – ‘The system cannot find the file specified’ is capable of affecting the system and its performance. With these methods, you can fix the error easily. Suppose you are unable to fix it by following these methods, then you can go to the IT Specialist to further resolve the issue. If you have lost any data after these fixing methods, then you can make use of this Windows data recovery software to quickly get back your entire files.
