“XXXXX cannot save or create this file” – What this error mean
You’ll usually see this message when the drive you’re trying to save to is either full or write‑protected. Use the steps below to identify the cause and fix the issue.
If the drive is full
Check the available space on the drive:
- Open My Computer (or This PC on newer systems).
- Click the drive you’re saving to.
- Look at the available space shown in the details pane.
If the drive has less than 1GB free, you may see this error.
To free up space:
- Delete files you no longer need.
- Back up important files to another location, then remove them from the drive.
- Move large files to another drive with more space
If the drive is write‑protected
A write‑protected drive won’t allow new files to be created or existing files to be modified. In most cases, your Network Administrator has applied this restriction.
If the drive is locked and you can’t save to it, you’ll need to contact your administrator to request access or an alternative location to save your files
Reviewed 12/01/2026