Photorec (part of TestDisk) ignores the filesystem and scans for known file signatures.
sudo photorec /d /media/recovery/ /log
Select the partition, choose [Whole], and let it carve. You will lose the original filenames but may recover the content.
The error means the software’s file handler cannot lock, read, or parse the header of bigfile000. Common technical reasons include:
Q: Can I just change the extension from .bigfile000 to .mp4 or .pdf?
A: No. The extension is not the problem. The internal structure (header and data blocks) is misaligned. Changing the extension will corrupt the file further.
Q: Why does it say "updated" when I haven’t touched the file?
A: A background process (anti-virus scan, cloud sync like OneDrive/Dropbox, or Windows Search Indexer) may have tried to read and update the file’s "last accessed" timestamp, which the proprietary software misinterprets as a structural update.
Q: Is this a virus?
A: Unlikely. Some ransomware does rename files to .bigfile000, but that is rare. Run a malware scan to be safe, but this is almost always a software versioning or corruption issue.
Before closing this article, complete these four checks:
If you answered yes to all and the error persists, your best bet is to restore from your most recent verified backup. Always remember: A single file named bigfile.000 is useless without its siblings or the correct software version.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes. The author is not liable for data loss. Always back up your data before attempting any recovery operation. If the file contains sensitive or business-critical information, consult a professional data recovery service immediately.
This error typically occurs in games developed on the Foundation engine (like the recent Tomb Raider trilogy or Marvel’s Avengers
) when a critical data archive is corrupted or inaccessible. Direct Solutions
Verify Game Files: This is the most effective fix. In the Steam Library, right-click the game, select Properties > Installed Files, and click Verify integrity of game files. unable to open bigfile bigfile000 updated
Force Re-download: If verification fails, manually delete the specific file (bigfile.000.tiger) from your game's installation folder, then run the verification again to force a fresh download.
Check Disk Space: Ensure your primary drive (often C:) has at least 5–10GB of free space, even if the game is installed on a different drive, as the engine uses it for temporary unpacking.
PowerShell Fix (Xbox Game Pass): If playing via the Microsoft Store, run a PowerShell command to reset the store’s file scripts, which often resolves "failed to open" errors on that platform. Why This Happens
The "bigfile" is a compressed archive containing the game's core assets (textures, levels, audio). Errors often stem from:
Bitrot or Interrupted Updates: A small data error in the file makes it unreadable to the game's engine.
Antivirus Interference: Security software may block access to these large files. Try adding the game folder as an exception in your antivirus settings.
Table Range Errors: In older titles like Tomb Raider: Legend, this error can sometimes be fixed by changing the game's resolution in the external setup menu before launching.
Are you running the game through Steam, Epic Games, or Xbox Game Pass?
The error message "unable to open bigfile bigfile000" typically occurs in games from the Tomb Raider series (specifically Anniversary Underworld
) when the game engine cannot read its primary data archives
. This usually stems from corrupted game files, insufficient permissions, or third-party software interference. Recommended Fixes Verify Integrity of Game Files (Steam/Epic) Right-click the game in your library, go to Properties Installed Files Local Files Verify integrity of game files Photorec (part of TestDisk) ignores the filesystem and
. This is the most effective fix as it redownloads any missing or corrupted "bigfile" segments. Run as Administrator Locate the game’s file in the installation folder. Right-click it, select Properties , go to the Compatibility tab, and check Run this program as an administrator Disable Antivirus/Firewall
Security software can occasionally quarantine or block access to large
files during an update. Add the game's installation folder to your antivirus Exclusion List Check Disk Space & Health
Ensure your drive has at least 10-15GB of free space. These "bigfiles" are massive, and the game may fail to open them if there isn't enough room for temporary cache files Disable "Next-Gen Content" ( Tomb Raider: Legend If you are playing the older Tomb Raider: Legend
, this specific setting in the Graphics menu is notorious for causing file read errors and crashes. For Modded or Repackaged Versions
If you are using a repack (like CorePack or FitGirl) and see this error during installation, it often indicates a checksum failure (CRC check).
: Many installers have a "Limit to 2GB/3GB RAM" checkbox; check this to prevent memory-related extraction errors. Re-hash Torrent
: If you downloaded via torrent, "Force Recheck" the files to ensure bigfile000 wasn't corrupted during the download. exact file path for a specific game version or help with a specific game launcher Rise of the Tomb Raider - Rescue Jonah crash : r/TombRaider
Here’s a clean, professional post you can use for a status update, changelog, or support announcement regarding the issue:
Title: Update on "Unable to Open BigFile – BigFile000"
Body:
We’ve received reports of an error when trying to open bigfile000 after a recent update. Specifically, some users are seeing:
"Unable to open bigfile bigfile000 updated"
Current status:
We are aware of the issue and are actively investigating. The problem appears to be related to a change in the file structure or indexing following the latest update.
Temporary workaround:
If you encounter this error, please try the following:
Next steps:
A patch is expected within 24–48 hours. We will update this post as soon as a permanent solution is available.
We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience.
Need help?
Contact support at [support email/link] and reference: bigfile000_open_error
Tags: #Troubleshooting #PCGaming #CorruptedFiles #TechSupport
Are you getting an error message stating "Unable to open bigfile.bigfile000" when trying to launch a game (common in titles like Watch Dogs, Assassin's Creed, or The Crew)?
This error usually indicates that the game launcher cannot read the core data archive. This is rarely a hardware failure and is almost always caused by file corruption or permission issues.
Here are the top solutions, ranked from the most likely to the least likely to fix the issue. Select the partition, choose [Whole] , and let it carve
This is the "gold standard" fix. It checks your local files against the server's records and re-downloads any files that are mismatched or missing.