When trying to copying large files, the “calculating the time required to copy the files” error messagepops up. Some users encounter the error while backing up Windows to an external hard drive. Some other people get stuck on calculating while copying mass files from one partition to another via File Explorer.
What causes “calculating time required to copy files”? According to a survey, the error is often related to a corrupt hard drive/external storage media. Besides, a non-optimal media transfer protocol like MTP USB and third-party antivirus software is responsible for Windows 10 stuck copying files.
Tip: If you encounter the error while transferring files from your computer to an external drive, you can disconnect your storage properly and restart your system, and try copying again.
Fix 1. Check Hard Drive Errors
As pointed above, a corrupter hard drive/external storage device is the most common reason for Windows 10 stuck copying files. It’s known that consuming excessive time to access files usually indicates an upcoming hard drive failure. Here you can use the CHKDSK utility to repair the hard drive errors.
Note: If you receive the calculating copy files error, we highly advise you to make a backup of important data as soon as possible to avoid unexpected data loss.
Step 1. Press Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box, and then type cmd in the box and hit Ctrl + Shift + Enter keys a
Step 2.Type chkdsk C: /f /r command and hit Enter in the pop-up window. Then type Y and hit Enter to check the hard drive errors next time the system restarts. After that, this utility will automatically scan the hard drive and mark the bad sectors as unavailable.
Now, you can copy the files again to check if the copying files stuck at calculating.
Fix 2. Split the Files in Chunks and Copy
In most cases, the large files vary in the file formats (In this respect, you may want to format/reformat a hard drive Windows 8), overall read and write speeds, which increases the calculating time of your system when copying in File Explorer.
If the calculating time required to copy files error appears after you wait for a long time, then we recommend you split the large files in chunks and copy. Assume you have 100GB of raw data, you can try splitting them into several chunks based on your own situation, and then transfer them to another drive.
Fix 3. Use an OTG Adapter or Mass Storage Mode
Some users encounter the Windows 10 stuck copying files error while transferring large files from an external media like a phone to a local hard drive. This can be caused by a slow USB transfer protocol.
If your external media was designed with a traditional protocol like MTP mode, we recommend you switch to a USB OTG adapter or Mass Storage Mode. The two protocols have faster transfer speed while copying files.
Fix 4.Disable the Antivirus Program Temporarily
In addition to Windows security, a lot of users install a third-party antivirus program to enhance system protection. Sometimes, however, the real-time protection feature of your antivirus programs might increase the copying time.
Here you can try disabling the antivirus program temporarily and see if the copying files can finish smoothly.
Step 1. Typing control in the search of box and select the Control Panel of app from context menu.
Step 2. Change the View by type to Category, and then click on Uninstall a program under the Programs section.
Step 3. Select the third-party antivirus software from the list of installed programs, and then right-click it and select Uninstall. Click on the Yes button if you are prompted with a confirmation window.
Once uninstalled, restart your computer and copy these files again to check if the calculating the time required for the copy to files error gone away
Fix 5. Switch to Third-party File Transfer Tools
If you still can’t copy large files smoothly after trying all the above methods, you may consider using an effective file transfer tool. There are some free and trusted third-party copy tools like FastCopy, Copy Handler, etc. Well, if you don’t want to use the tool any longer, you can uninstall it after copying large files successfully.