Can't delete folder: error: "directory is not empty"

  • Thread starter Thread starter Joe
  • Start date Start date
J

Joe

I've searched everywhere for an answer to this problem I've
encountered recently and have not found it. If someone
might know what the problem is and how I can fix it, I'd
appreciate it.

Recently I have been getting the following error when
trying to delete folders:

Error Deleting File or Folder
(red circle with white "x") Cannot remove folder blah: The
directory is not empty.
[OK]

blah could be any folder that I'm trying to delete. I've
tried using shift+delete to bypass the recycle bin in case
soemthing was wrong with that, but it doesn't help. I
can't find a preference or configuration that might be
making XP start doing this, but I would appreciate any help
in getting this back to normal.

Thanks.
 
Hi, Joe.

One way that USUALLY works is to open a "DOS" window (the Command Prompt).
Then use the Remove Directory (rd or rmdir) command to delete the folder.
Add the /s switch to remove the entire folder tree, subfolders, files and
all.

rd <foldername> /s

RC
 
Joe said:
I've searched everywhere for an answer to this problem I've
encountered recently and have not found it. If someone
might know what the problem is and how I can fix it, I'd
appreciate it.

Recently I have been getting the following error when
trying to delete folders:

Error Deleting File or Folder
(red circle with white "x") Cannot remove folder blah: The
directory is not empty.
[OK]
Click to expand...

I would at first check if some software running in the background is
causing this. See "How to Troubleshoot By Using the Msconfig Utility
in Windows XP" (http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=310560) for
details. Also run a disk check.
"How to Perform Disk Error Checking in Windows XP"
(http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=315265)
 
Hi RC,

Yea, I've seen that fix, but I'd rather have it actually
back to normal. I don't want to have to go into a dos
prompt every time just to fix this little problem.

For now, I've gotten a program called Eraser 5.6 that does
the job, but I hate having to use a program or workaround
for something that should be a "normal" ability of XP that
broke.

Thanks,

-----Original Message-----
Hi, Joe.

One way that USUALLY works is to open a "DOS" window (the Command Prompt).
Then use the Remove Directory (rd or rmdir) command to delete the folder.
Add the /s switch to remove the entire folder tree, subfolders, files and
all.

rd <foldername> /s

RC
--
R. C. White, CPA
San Marcos, TX
(e-mail address removed)
Microsoft Windows MVP

Joe said:
I've searched everywhere for an answer to this problem I've
encountered recently and have not found it. If someone
might know what the problem is and how I can fix it, I'd
appreciate it.

Recently I have been getting the following error when
trying to delete folders:

Error Deleting File or Folder
(red circle with white "x") Cannot remove folder blah: The
directory is not empty.
[OK]

blah could be any folder that I'm trying to delete. I've
tried using shift+delete to bypass the recycle bin in case
soemthing was wrong with that, but it doesn't help. I
can't find a preference or configuration that might be
making XP start doing this, but I would appreciate any help
in getting this back to normal.

Thanks.
Click to expand...

.
Click to expand...
 
I've searched everywhere for an answer to this problem I've
encountered recently and have not found it. If someone
might know what the problem is and how I can fix it, I'd
appreciate it.

Recently I have been getting the following error when
trying to delete folders:

Error Deleting File or Folder
(red circle with white "x") Cannot remove folder blah: The
directory is not empty.
[OK]

blah could be any folder that I'm trying to delete. I've
tried using shift+delete to bypass the recycle bin in case
soemthing was wrong with that, but it doesn't help. I
can't find a preference or configuration that might be
making XP start doing this, but I would appreciate any help
in getting this back to normal.

Thanks.
Click to expand...

I've run into this a few times. Seems to be when deleting leftover folders
from an uninstall. When that happens, I restart the system in case there
are any pending uninstall steps. Then I delete the contents of the folders
and finally, can delete the folder that set off the error message. I know
that there are other ways to approach this and that there will be times
when this method won't work, but it's worked for me so far.
 
yea, it really doesnt have anything to do with that since
the folders im trying to delete arent part of an install
process all the time. thanks for the suggestion though.

-----Original Message-----
I've searched everywhere for an answer to this problem I've
encountered recently and have not found it. If someone
might know what the problem is and how I can fix it, I'd
appreciate it.

Recently I have been getting the following error when
trying to delete folders:

Error Deleting File or Folder
(red circle with white "x") Cannot remove folder blah: The
directory is not empty.
[OK]

blah could be any folder that I'm trying to delete. I've
tried using shift+delete to bypass the recycle bin in case
soemthing was wrong with that, but it doesn't help. I
can't find a preference or configuration that might be
making XP start doing this, but I would appreciate any help
in getting this back to normal.

Thanks.
Click to expand...

I've run into this a few times. Seems to be when deleting leftover folders
from an uninstall. When that happens, I restart the system in case there
are any pending uninstall steps. Then I delete the contents of the folders
and finally, can delete the folder that set off the error message. I know
that there are other ways to approach this and that there will be times
when this method won't work, but it's worked for me so far.
Click to expand...
 
tm,

Well, I'm trying the disk checking for starters. I have
some crap to get rid of before doing a defrag will work,
and I'm trying to do a scandisk as well to fix anything
that's screwed up. If that doesn't work, I'll try finding
if something in the background is messing it up.

I'll report back when I have tried these things.

Thanks,

-----Original Message-----
Joe said:
I've searched everywhere for an answer to this problem I've
encountered recently and have not found it. If someone
might know what the problem is and how I can fix it, I'd
appreciate it.

Recently I have been getting the following error when
trying to delete folders:

Error Deleting File or Folder
(red circle with white "x") Cannot remove folder blah: The
directory is not empty.
[OK]
Click to expand...

I would at first check if some software running in the background is
causing this. See "How to Troubleshoot By Using the Msconfig Utility
in Windows XP" (http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=310560) for
details. Also run a disk check.
"How to Perform Disk Error Checking in Windows XP"
(http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=315265)
Click to expand...
 
Hi! I had this same problem yesterday. I spent all night lookin
through forums and found no answer. But today I discovered the answe
by luck! The problem is caused by an installation program installin
incorrectly and overlapping one of its files on top of a directory
thereby corrupting it. The directory thinks there is a file in it
because the file is half-in/half-out. Reinstall whatever programs yo
were installing on the day the problem occurred, and then the fil
should (hopefully) magically appear in the directory you're trying t
delete.

Note: The file may not have anything to do with the directory, so yo
can't figure out which program was installed incorrectly by examinin
the folder.


*I've searched everywhere for an answer to this problem I've
encountered recently and have not found it. If someone
might know what the problem is and how I can fix it, I'd
appreciate it.

Recently I have been getting the following error when
trying to delete folders:

Error Deleting File or Folder
(red circle with white "x") Cannot remove folder blah: The
directory is not empty.
[OK]

blah could be any folder that I'm trying to delete. I've
tried using shift+delete to bypass the recycle bin in case
soemthing was wrong with that, but it doesn't help. I
can't find a preference or configuration that might be
making XP start doing this, but I would appreciate any help
in getting this back to normal.

Thanks.
Click to expand...


-
ninjaki
 
Joe said:
I've searched everywhere for an answer to this problem I've
encountered recently and have not found it. If someone
might know what the problem is and how I can fix it, I'd
appreciate it.

Recently I have been getting the following error when
trying to delete folders:

Error Deleting File or Folder
(red circle with white "x") Cannot remove folder blah: The
directory is not empty.
[OK]

blah could be any folder that I'm trying to delete. I've
tried using shift+delete to bypass the recycle bin in case
soemthing was wrong with that, but it doesn't help. I
can't find a preference or configuration that might be
making XP start doing this, but I would appreciate any help
in getting this back to normal.

Thanks.
Click to expand...
I had this problem for a long time.
My friend recommended me Long Path Tool for fixing this.
I am skeptic with this king of tool but I was wrong.
This tool can do anything.
 
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