10 Ways to Fix the Error on Windows 11

Typically, your Windows 11 system shows the ‘Operation did not complete…’ warning when it can’t open a file as it detects a virus or similar threat in the location. It’s an infuriating situation as the intended file doesn’t open up and you are afraid of the fike’s shady character.

Is there any chance that you have downloaded that specific file from an illicit website? For example, users want to try a free version of a particular application and that’s how they end up clicking on a suspicious link and downloading a corrupted file.

As a consequence, your Windows operating system will consider the file as a threat as you have downloaded it from an illegitimate source. Windows Defender will flag the file as an infected file. However, that might be a false accusation.

Are you looking for ways to bypass the situation and open up the file without compromising your system’s security? Laptop Repair Dubai technicians are here with potential fixes to solve the operation did not complete error on your Windows 11 machine.

1. Confirm You Have Downloaded the File from a Legitimate Source

Since chances are that you have downloaded the file in question from an illicit source, you should verify the information. According to technicians from a laptop repair near me, Windows Defender is very sensitive and can detect a file if it contains a virus.

Hence, you should re-attempt the whole procedure and check the legitimacy of the website you trusted earlier. It’s better to delete the file permanently if you find out it belongs to an unsolicited website, link, or email.

Make sure you navigate to the official source of the application software and download the specific file from there. After all, it’s a matter of your computer’s security and your precious data.

2. Re-Attempt the Download

After verifying the legitimacy of the link, website, or email, you might be sure about the reputation of the source. If you have downloaded the file from an authorised source, then you can download the file again from the same official source.

Windows Defender may identify a download as a threat if the download gets corrupted somehow. Determine if the warning was a false positive by re-downloading the application or file from the accredited website. 

Then, check if the operation did not complete warning reappears when you try to open the file.

3. Deactivate Windows Defender Temporarily

If you are 100% sure that the source is genuine then you can try this hack. Professionals of laptop repair services Dubai recommend this method only if you are convinced about the legitimacy of the source.

Otherwise, you might end up pushing your Windows 11 computer towards vulnerability. Disabling Windows Defender for a while will allow you to open up the file as the program won’t restrict the operation. Here’s how you can disable Windows Defender from Settings:

  • Bring up your computer’s Start menu by clicking the Windows icon from the Taskbar.
  • Next, hit the grey gear or Settings icon.
  • Head towards the Update & Security section and click on it.
  • Make sure you switch to the tab called Windows Security.
  • After that, click on the option of Virus & Threat Protection.
  • Hit the Manage Settings option and toggle off the Real-time Protection option.

Furthermore, you should try opening up the file. If the same error appears, repeat the same steps and disable the Cloud-delivered Protection option as well. 

4. Add the Intended File or Folder to Windows Defender’s Exclusion List

Have you succeeded in the previous method? If not, you can bypass the file by excluding it from the Windows Defender’s checklist. Thus, Windows Defender won’t search for any suspicious element in that particular file or folder.

As per laptop repair in Dubai, here’s what you have to follow:

  • Navigate to the location of the file you want to open. Open File Explorer and identify the file’s location there.
  • Next, click the address bar and copy the file path.
  • Open Settings with the Windows + I key combination and opt for Windows Security under the Update & Security column.
  • Land on the tab named Virus & Threat Protection and click on Manage Settings.
  • Look for Exclusions and hit the link of ‘Add or remove exclusions’.
  • After that, click on the button ‘Add an exclusion’. Choose the File or Folder option from the drop-down menu, depending on your preference.
  • Paste the copied file path and finally, click the ‘Select Folder’ option.

5. Turn off Windows Defender from the Registry

As reported by a laptop repair service near me, many users couldn’t disable Windows Defender using Settings. Hence, you can try disabling the built-in antivirus solution of your Windows 11 system through Registry Editor. Here’s what you can follow:

  • Press the Windows and S keys together and type ‘Registry Editor’. Don’t forget to hit enter.
  • Now, find the mentioned key or you can copy the key and paste it on the address bar: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender.
  • After that, look out for the DisableAntiSpyware registry and double-click it.
  • If there’s no registry like this, create a new registry and name it DisableAntiSpyware. Simply, right-click on a blank space, select New, and choose DWORD (32-bit) Value. Once you create the registry, double-click on it.
  • Set its Value Data to 1 as it will disable Windows Defender as well as MsMpEng.exe (Antimalware Service Executable).
  • Close the Registry Editor and see if you can open the downloaded file now.

However, Laptop Repair Dubai technicians don’t encourage taking down the security shield off your Windows 11 computer. If possible, install a worthy antivirus solution to prevent threats and keep your device safe.

6. Toggle off Third-Party Antivirus Application

Apart from Windows Defender, the installed and activated antivirus program can cause the operation did not complete error on your Windows 11 machine. So, test if your antivirus program is the culprit if you have already turned off Windows Defender and still can’t open the file.

However, experts in laptop repair near me identify this hack as unsafe because you will use the Windows 11 computer without any protection. You can proceed with the method if you have a backup of the system and are aware of the risks associated with the step.

Let’s check how you can disable the third-party antivirus program on your system:

  • Right-click an empty space of the Taskbar and click on Task Manager. Switch on the Mode Details button if Task Manager opens up in its compact mode.
  • Next, locate the Start-up tab under the header menu. Locate the antivirus program in the list and click on it.
  • After that, click on the Disable option that is in the lower-right corner of the window.
  • Restart your machine.

Now, check if the ‘operation did not complete…’ error vanishes as you open up the file.

7. Perform Disk Cleanup Utility

Misleading errors are quite common if your Windows 11 system generates temporary files and folders. So, it’s time to get rid of them by running the Disk Cleanup utility. Laptop repair services Dubai professionals have mentioned the formula to execute the required Disk Cleanup:

  • Search for Disk Cleanup after pressing the Windows + S key combination.
  • Next, click on the first match.
  • Choose the system drive or local disk C and hit the OK button.
  • The next window will show you all the space occupied by temporary files. Select them and you can also include other junk files like DirectX Shader Cache, Thumbnails, etc. 
  • Proceed with a click on the OK button followed by Delete Files.

Examine if you can open up the file now.

8. Repair File Explorer

An issue with the File Explorer can induce an ‘operation did not complete successfully’ error. Therefore, you can try fixing the File Explorer with the following steps:

  • Search for ‘cmd’ after pressing the Windows key. Don’t forget to open up the Command Prompt window with admin rights.
  • When the Command Prompt opens, type the following commands and hit enter after every line:
    • sfc/SCANFILE=C:\Windows\explorer.exe
    • sfc/SCANFILE=C:\Windows\SysWow64\explorer.exe
  • Restart your computer and check if you can open the file this time.

9. Get an In-Place Upgrade

As reported by a laptop repair service near me, this particular hack may fix the underlying problem behind the ‘operation did not complete’ message. Here’s what you have to go through:

  • Navigate to the official website of Microsoft and choose Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO) for x64 devices.
  • Then, click on Windows 11 (multi-edition ISO for x64 devices) followed by Download.
  • Afterwards, select English and hit Confirm.
  • Click the highlighted link there and open the downloaded file.
  • Next, run the file named setup.exe and click on Yes in the prompt.
  • Hit the Next button on the Install Windows 11 page. Click the Accept button and make sure that the upgrade keeps personal files intact.
  • Finally, hit the Install button.

10. Work on Windows Backup

If the previous method of Windows 11 upgrade doesn’t solve the problem, you can try to fix your system backup. Cache and temporary internet files often create such a nuisance, according to laptop repair in Dubai. Check out what you should do in this situation:

  • Bring up a Run window by using the Windows + R key combination.
  • Type ‘control’ in the box and click on OK. the Control Panel window should open up.
  • Now, switch the view mode to ‘Large Icons’ and choose Internet Options.
  • Hit the Delete button under the column of Browsing History and uncheck the ‘Preserve Favourites website data’ box on the next page.
  • Ensure you check the following options:
    • Cookies and website data
    • Temporary Internet files and website files
    • History
    • Download History
  • Restart your Windows 11 system

Now, inspect if you are able to open the file without facing the warning.

Scan Your System for Threats

Make sure that your system doesn’t own an infected file or folder, as suggested by Laptop Repair Dubai professionals. You can run a full scan using Windows Defender or a third-party antivirus program.

If you use Windows Defender the Full Scan option is available under the Windows Security → Virus & Threat Protection link. If your system detects a threat, it will automatically remove it from the machine. Hopefully, you can open up the file in question now.