Encountering the 0x800700df error while copying, uploading, or sharing files can be frustrating. In this guide, you’ll learn why it happens, what triggers the limitation in Windows, and practical ways to increase file size limits and resolve the issue quickly.
Error 0x800700df is a Windows system error that occurs when the file you are attempting to transfer exceeds the maximum allowed size configured in Windows.
This limitation typically applies to:
Think of it like a weight limit on a bridge. If the truck is heavier than the allowed limit, it cannot cross. Similarly, Windows prevents the transfer of files that exceed configured system limits.
>> Learn about other Windows system errors:
Understanding the root cause of the 0x800700df error makes troubleshooting much easier. This isn't a hardware failure; it is a configuration conflict
Common Scenarios Where Error 0x800700df Appears
Below are the most effective methods to resolve the issue. We start with the most permanent fix (Registry) and move toward practical workarounds.
This is the "Gold Standard" fix. It addresses the root cause by manually changing the 50MB limit to the maximum possible value (4GB). By modifying the FileSizeLimitInBytes key, we tell the Windows WebClient service to allow much larger data packets.
Use this if you frequently work with SharePoint or mapped drives and keep hitting the size wall.
1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type regedit, then press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
3. Navigate to the following location:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\WebClient\Parameters
4. Locate the registry entry named FileSizeLimitInBytes.
5. Double-click it. Select the Decimal base.
6. Change the value to 4294967295 (This is the maximum value, roughly 4GB).
7. Click OK and Restart your computer.
Sometimes the Registry change doesn't kick in immediately, or the service itself has "frozen" while trying to process a large file. Restarting the service clears the temporary cache and re-initializes the connection parameters.
Use this if the Registry fix is already applied but the error persists, or as a quick "refresh" before trying a large transfer.
1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type services.msc and press Enter.
3. Locate the WebClient service in the list.
4. Right-click the service and select Restart. (If it's not running, select Start).
5. To ensure this doesn't happen again, double-click WebClient and change the Startup type to Automatic.
If adjusting the system settings doesn't solve the problem—perhaps due to server-side limits you cannot control—you may need to modify the file itself to "fit" through the gate.
If a file is just slightly over the limit (e.g., 60MB when the limit is 50MB), shrinking it is the fastest solution. Compression reduces the total byte count without losing data, potentially bringing the file under the 0x800700df threshold.
Use this for documents, logs, or folders containing many small files.
1. Right-click the file or folder you want to move.
2. Select Compress to ZIP file (Windows 11) or Send to > Compressed (zipped) folder (Windows 10).
3. Attempt to transfer the resulting .zip file.
If the file is significantly larger than 4GB (the max Registry limit), even a Registry fix won't help. Breaking a "giant" file into several "small" pieces allows each piece to pass the 0x800700df check individually.
1. Use a tool like 7-Zip or WinRAR.
2. Right-click the file and select Add to archive...
3. Look for the "Split to volumes, bytes" option.
4. Choose a size (e.g., 1000M or 2GB) and click OK.
5. Transfer the multiple parts and "Extract" them at the destination to reassemble the original file.
Error 0x800700df is specific to WebDAV/Mapped drives. Other protocols don't have this specific bug. Bypassing the Windows File Explorer interface bypasses the WebClient limit entirely.
Sometimes, interrupted file transfers can result in missing or accidentally deleted files. For example, a failed copy operation might overwrite an existing file or leave you unable to locate the original version.
In such situations, using a professional data recovery tool can help restore lost files. One reliable option is MyRecover, a dedicated Windows data recovery tool designed to recover deleted or lost files from hard drives, SSDs, USB drives, and other storage devices.
Why MyRecover is the Best Choice for Transfer Errors:
Unlike generic recovery tools, MyRecover is optimized for the file system glitches that occur during interrupted Windows operations:
Steps to Recover Lost Files Using MyRecover
1. Download and install MyRecover on your Windows computer.
2. Launch the application.
3. Select the drive or location where the lost file was stored.
4. Click Scan to begin searching for recoverable files.
5. Review the scan results and locate the desired file.
6. Select the file and click Recover to restore it.
Using MyRecover can significantly improve the chances of retrieving files that were lost during failed transfers caused by error 0x800700df.
The error 0x800700df may interrupt your workflow, but it is usually caused by manageable file size limitations within Windows or network settings. By adjusting registry configurations, restarting system services, compressing files, or splitting large files into smaller segments, you can effectively resolve the problem.
Additionally, if a failed transfer results in missing files, tools like MyRecover can help recover lost data quickly and safely. With the solutions and best practices outlined in this guide, you should now be well equipped to fix error 0x800700df and handle large file transfers with confidence.
1. Is 0x800700df the same as the FAT32 4GB limit?
No. While they feel similar, the FAT32 limit is a limitation of the disk format itself. Error 0x800700df is a software-defined limit within the Windows WebClient service. You can encounter 0x800700df even on an NTFS drive if you are using a mapped network location.
2. Why does Windows have this limit by default?
It is a security and stability measure. By limiting WebDAV transfers to 50MB, Windows prevents a malicious server or a runaway process from flooding your system memory (RAM) with massive amounts of web data, which could cause a "Denial of Service" (DoS) effect on your own PC.
3. I changed the Registry to 4GB, but my file is 10GB. What now?
The Registry value 4294967295 is the absolute maximum the WebClient service can understand (it's the limit of a 32-bit unsigned integer). For files larger than 4GB, you must use Method 4 (splitting the file) or Method 5 (using a browser/third-party FTP client).
4. Can MyRecover help if a failed transfer caused my external hard drive to become "RAW"?
Yes. When a large transfer crashes due to error 0x800700df, it can sometimes corrupt the drive's partition table, making it show as "RAW". MyRecover excels at scanning RAW partitions and extracting the data that Windows can no longer see.
5. Does this error affect USB flash drives?
Generally, no. If you are copying directly to a USB plugged into your PC, you shouldn't see this error. If you do, it’s likely you are actually copying from a network drive to the USB, and the network side is triggering the 0x800700df limit.
6. I recovered my files with MyRecover, but they won't open. Why?
This usually happens if the file was partially overwritten during the crash. When using MyRecover, ensure you use the Deep Scan feature, which looks for file signatures to reconstruct the data even if the file system directory is damaged.