All Discussions > Steam Forums > Help and Tips > Topic Details
ScottOfCanes Feb 17, 2016 @ 5:28pm
Steam won't launch due to "corrupted or unreadable" Steam.exe
What do I do? Starting the Steam Setup just says that it can't write at the location.

Edit: Attempting to overwrite Steam.exe in it's original location causes error code: 0x80071a90 and that the file is reserved.
Last edited by ScottOfCanes; Feb 17, 2016 @ 5:31pm
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Showing 1-15 of 15 comments
Vanilla Feb 17, 2016 @ 5:30pm 
Go to C:\Program Files (x86)\ or C:\Program FIles\, right click on the "Steam" directory, properties, and uncheck "Read-only." This may help.
#1
ScottOfCanes Feb 17, 2016 @ 5:34pm 
Originally posted by FlyingSixtySix:
Go to C:\Program Files (x86)\ or C:\Program FIles\, right click on the "Steam" directory, properties, and uncheck "Read-only." This may help.

"Steam\AppOverlay.dll The file or directory is corrupted or unreadable."
#2
Vanilla Feb 17, 2016 @ 5:35pm 
Delete everything except steamapps.
#3
ScottOfCanes Feb 17, 2016 @ 5:37pm 
Ah, damn it. So I should just reinstall it completely and keep my game data? :(
#4
Vanilla Feb 17, 2016 @ 5:38pm 
Correct, delete everything but the steamapps directory. You can save your skins folder too, if you have any.
#5
ScottOfCanes Feb 17, 2016 @ 5:39pm 
Okay, thank you. I didn't want to do that if I didn't have to, considering how much data there is. You've been a great help.
#6
Vanilla Feb 17, 2016 @ 5:40pm 
Originally posted by ScottOfCanes:
Okay, thank you. I didn't want to do that if I didn't have to, considering how much data there is. You've been a great help.
Happy to assist. Report back in case of an issue with the installation.
#7
ScottOfCanes Feb 17, 2016 @ 5:50pm 
It won't let me delete some of the folders/files from the Steam folder. error code: 0x80070570 Files are corrupted or unreadable.
#8
Vanilla Feb 17, 2016 @ 5:51pm 
Is this a problem with Windows Explorer?
#9
ScottOfCanes Feb 17, 2016 @ 5:53pm 
No, it seems to only be happening with the Steam folder and files in general.
#10
Vanilla Feb 17, 2016 @ 5:55pm 
Enter this as your Windows Explorer address and uninstall Steam through there:
Control Panel\Programs\Programs and Features
Last edited by Vanilla; Feb 17, 2016 @ 5:55pm
#11
ScottOfCanes Feb 17, 2016 @ 6:12pm 
I ended up looking at the Windows Action Center and apparently some drivers needed to be repaired. Everything seems to be fixed now.

Thanks for the help, even though it was a Windows issue. I haven't had any problems with Win8 so I actually thought something happened with the Steam files specifically.
#12
Vanilla Feb 17, 2016 @ 6:13pm 
Originally posted by ScottOfCanes:
I ended up looking at the Windows Action Center and apparently some drivers needed to be repaired. Everything seems to be fixed now.

Thanks for the help, even though it was a Windows issue. I haven't had any problems with Win8 so I actually thought something happened with the Steam files specifically.
Alright, have fun and enjoy!
#13
IAMNUB Feb 17, 2016 @ 6:36pm 
adsfasfdsadf
#14
Novasta Aug 30, 2018 @ 6:55am 
Originally posted by ScottOfCanes:
I ended up looking at the Windows Action Center and apparently some drivers needed to be repaired. Everything seems to be fixed now.

Thanks for the help, even though it was a Windows issue. I haven't had any problems with Win8 so I actually thought something happened with the Steam files specifically.

what drivers? im experiencing the same problem as you i cant find a way to detect specific drivers thats need to be updated
#15
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Date Posted: Feb 17, 2016 @ 5:28pm
Posts: 15
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