How to Fix “Cannot Create File” Error Message Problem While Saving Files in Resource Hacker?
Everyone knows here that we love Resource Hacker which is an excellent and one of the best Windows customization software. You’ll never find as much tutorials for Resource Hacker anywhere else as you find here at AskVG.
Resource Hacker allows you to modify system files such as EXE, DLL, CPL, etc so that you can replace images, modify menus, dialog boxes, various text strings and much more. This excellent tool can be used to completely customize Windows UI. In fact we all Windows theme makers take help of Resource Hacker regularly.
Whether its about changing appearance of Windows shutdown box, about box, file progress dialog box or about modifying login screen, we always recommend Resource Hacker to our readers.
Advertisement
When you modify a system file using Resource Hacker, you can’t directly save it because the file is being used by Windows. Actually a built-in service called Windows File Protection (WFP) runs in background and prevents modification or replacement of system files. You need to use a freeware Replacer to replace the original file with your modified file. Or you can WFP Patcher utility to completely disable WFP service, in this way you’ll be able to directly save the file in Resource Hacker.
Many times people face a strange problem while saving a modified file in Resource Hacker. When they try to save the file, they get an error message “Cannot create file” as shown in following screenshot:
We have received many emails and comments from various readers about this particular problem. So today we decided to create a separate article to tell the reason behind this error message and to provide a working solution to fix this annoying problem.
Actually when you modify a file in Resource Hacker and save the file, Resource Hacker automatically creates a backup file with the name “original_file_name_original.extension“. For example, if you modify and save shell32.dll file, Resource Hacker will automatically create a new backup file shell32_original.dll in the same directory. Its done for safety purposes so that you can restore the original file using the backup in future.
This backup file is the main reason behind “Cannot create file” error message. This error message occurs if you try to save a file which has been already modified by you in past and already contains a backup file of it. When Resource Hacker tries to save the file, it finds that its backup file already exists in the same directory and it shows the “Cannot create file” error message.
Advertisement
So how to fix this problem and disable the error message? Its very simple. You just need to delete the backup file and the error message will disappear and you’ll be able to save the file again. So go to the folder which contains the original file which you are modifying and trying to save. You’ll find a backup file with the same name and a suffix “original” in its name. Delete this backup file and your problem will be solved immediately.
If you have so many .dll problem here the solution download here you can easily download all types of the .dll fresh files and easily & automatically install this file to system.
Have you read the article or you’re just a spammer ?
@Bill I should think spammer. Fresh DLL files for download!? I-d-i-o-t-i-c.
If you want to keep the original backup, don’t delete it, just rename it. The effect will the same, you will be able to save the modified dll.
@ND5Cars5 Not to mention completely foolhardy.
And this problem as solved: Can not rename original file. saving canceled … HELP!
^^ You need to save the file at some other location.
Al these XP tricks and tweaks are fine and good – if you’re a caveman. I don’t even know anybody who still uses XP.
Replacer and WFP Patcher are programs for XP. Maybe they’ll work on Windows 7 and maybe not.
Maybe the name of this website should be changed Vishal’s XP Caveman Club.
^^ Almost all tutorials posted on this blog work fine in all Windows versions including Windows XP, Vista, 7 and 8. Many tutorials are very old because they were posted when Windows XP was the latest available OS but still many of them work in newer Windows versions.
But thanks for your comment and feedback. I always appreciate them.
All these tutorials are good n helpful we can say are old coz we r in win 7 n 8 OS.But Remember when you buy new clothes don’t burn old ones.Win xp is still in use no matter what and is the best Os that accept many softwares’so for this I will use new Os but stil one of my computer wil remain with Xp for Reasons.THANK YOU
For those still have issues with not being able to save the Winrar.exe file after removing the popup Reminder (like I did), make sure you run Resource Hacker as Administrator. After 10 mins of trying diff things, that was what the problem I had ended up being.
I have problem my resource hacker loads very slow and hangs. Can’t load. I want to fix it. Thanks.
^^ Uninstall Resource Hacker from your system and then reinstall it using latest version.
I have downloaded WFP Patcher !But its malware i cannot install.help me!
^^ Ignore your antivirus alert message. Its a false positive:
https://www.askvg.com/download-windows-file-protection-wfp-service-patcher-or-switcher/
If it doesnt allow you to download the tool, temporary disable your antivirus and then download the program.
When I installed the theme and ran it (and had already patched files), the theme would show up as Windows Classic. Can’t figure out how to fix this… help?
This didn’t work for me, as I’d never modified this file before (OneNote).
Turns out I forgot to run Resource Hacker as Administrator 😛
I’ve edited an MUI file using Resource Hacker and after compiling, it wont allow me to save it. This file is in the registry under the Microsoft Hearts game. I was able to do it in windows 7 but not in windows10. Is there a work around?
^^ Try to save the file somewhere else and then modify it:
https://www.askvg.com/tip-how-to-modify-system-files-using-resource-hacker-in-windows/