Fix Windows 11 Error 0x8096002A – No Error Description Found

Windows 11 is the latest iteration of Windows from Microsoft. However, similar to every generation of Windows, Windows 11 is not without its own quirks. The users have recently started reporting a new type of error 0x8096002A that is disrupting their productive PC life. If you have also recently faced the same problem, here’s our guide to completely fix Windows 11 error code 0x8096002A.

What is Windows 11 Error 0x8096002A?

The error code 0x8096002A on Windows 11 pops up with the user tries to extract a file. The error is not a fatal one that can cause your PC to go BSOD. Instead, it simply blocks a specific function of your PC and mainly that is extracting a file or software. The most evident reason behind this problem occurring is an incompatible ZIP format or incompatible software to open the File.

Recently, after Windows latest update, Microsoft introduced many features and one among them was the ability to extract files without the need of additional third party software. The problem occurs mainly if that is not happening. There are other reasons as well, which we will walk you through as we continue to fix it.

How to Fix Windows 11 Error 0x8096002A?

1. Check For Password Protection

The first thing you need to do when trying to extract a file on your Windows 11 PC is to check whether it is password-protected or not. If your compressed file is password protected, you might have trouble opening it due to your PC not supporting it.

If you are using a third party software, it might not have the feature to unlock or allow you to enter password while decompression. In that case, it is better to switch to another decopression software and let of your existing one.

2. Check For Trial Subscription

Most of the compression and decompression tools these days offer a trial version. Users unknowingly install them and try using them, and the trial usually expires after a month, similar to Internet Download Manager.

This problem is most often caused by an extremely popular decompression software called WinRAR. While the app is free to install and use, it is free only for 1 month. And after that month, you will keep getting messages that your subscription has expired. Often, this message gets hidden in the notification tray on your taskbar so not everyone pays heed.

However, when you try extract a file or software out of compression, you experience error code 0x8096002A. In that case, again, your best option would be to switch to a better file compression and decompresion software. The next fix will help you with that.

2. Download a Third Party Extraction Software

There are tons of extraction software available on the internet, and you can use any of them. However, not all of them offer the functionality required for your type of file or system resource.

As a result, if you are using a third party tool to extract your file, it can be causing a problem. As already said above, the case of WinRAR, it can cause multiple problems especially when the subscription is expired.

The best thing you can probably do now is go ahead and download 7ZIp. It is a completely free and trouble-free application software that allows you to compress, decompress, and extract even password-protected files and folders.

Another best thing about 7zip is that supports a wide range of compression extension formats from RAR to ZIP and even ISO files. If you don’t know how to do this, here are the steps:

1. Assuming your browser is already opened, and you are reading our guide, click on this link.
2. You will see a list of options available. Since you are running Windows 11, click on the top Download button.
3. The file will start to download. Once downloaded, open This PC and go to the Downloads folder.
4. Proceed with the installation.
5. When installed, go to your compressed file which was giving you error earlier.
6. Right-click on the file and select 7zip, and click on Extract Here.
7. If required, enter the password and click on Extract.

In most cases, if the file is not password protected, the file will directly get extracted in a minute or two depending on the size of your file and your processor version.

3. Download the File Again

When the problem occurs with a certain file, it is possible that the file was already corrupted the moment you downloaded it. In that case, you need to download the file again.

If the file is a large file, it is really unfortunate that this happened. However, wait! If that file is a large file and you are experiencing this problem, it is possible that the extension is wrong and that is causing all the trouble. Here’s what you need to do:

1. Locate the file.
2. Right-click on the file and click on Properties.
3. Check the extension of the file. If you notice something very weird, search online for that file type.
4. For example, you find a file that’s written as ISO. This is a clear compressed file, and you often get operating systems in this format. However, if you get a file type named MPT, you will understand the real meaning.

As said, if you got the file type bas MPT, you will not be able to do anything, and it is recommended that you don’t download it again as that is a spam file and doesn’t contain anything. If this is not the case, follow the next fix.

4. Run a Complete System Scan and File Checker

You might think the problem is with the file. However, if you notice closely, the problem is indirectly related to your PC. As a result, running a system scan will ensure that your problems are fixed and you don’t experience error code 0x8096002A again. Here are the steps to run a complete system scan with file checker:

1. Click on the Windows button.
2. Type CMD. When you see Command Prompt, right click on it.
3. From the dropdown menu, click on Run as Administrator and click on Yes.
4. Now, type sfc /scannow. Leave the space as it is, or simply copy it.
5. Press Enter.

This will take several minutes and return as the System File Checker successfully scanned and fixed problems. When this is done, restart your PC and try extracting your file using 7zip or the default Windows extraction tool.

5. Update Windows

If you are trying to extract a file that is unsupported by Windows but Microsoft says that it is supported in the latest version, it is possible that your Windows is outdated right now. In that case, the best way to counter this problem is by updating your Windows. Here are the steps to update Windows:

1. Click on the Windows button and then click on Settings.
2. In the Settings window, from the left side, click on Windows Update.
3. Now, click on Check For Updates.
4. If updates are already available, click on Update Now.
5. Windows will now check for updates, download them, and install them all along.

This will take time, depending on your internet speed. If this is a massive update such as you are updating from 22H2 to 23H2, this will take around 2 to 3 hours. When your PC is updated, check extracting and notice whether you receive Windows 11 error 0x8096002A.

6. Install Optional Updates

If updating Windows didn’t fix your problem, it is possible that something is missing from your PC. In that case, looking up the optional updates section can bring up important things that are necessary for your PC. Installing optional updates is usually not necessary. But since you don’t have the necessary features to extract files, it is now important. Here are the steps to do it:

1. Click on the Windows button and then click on Settings.
2. In the Settings window, from the left side, click on Windows Update.
3. On the right side, click on Advanced Options.
4. Scroll down, and under Additional Options, click on Optional Updates.
5. Tick mark the latest update available and click on Download and Install.

That’s it. Now try extracting your compressed file, and it should work. However, if it is still not working and giving you error 0x8096002A, follow up with the last fix

7. Run DISM and Check Disk

This is possibly the last option to fix your PC always getting error code 0x8096002A whenever trying to extract a file. This is usually a long process and it is recommended to keep this page opened while you try doing this. Keeping that in mind, here are the steps to follow:

1. Click on the Windows button.
2. Type CMD. When you see Command Prompt, right click on it.
3. From the dropdown menu, click on Run as Administrator and click on Yes.
4. Now, type the following commands one after another and keep pressing the Enter key after each command:
   • DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
   • DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
   • DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
5. It would be best if you simply copy and paste them into the command prompt window. Don’t worry about the spaces.

Once this is complete, restart your PC and your problem of error 0x8096002A should be fixed.

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