Error 0X80070091 the directory is not empty

marylou -  
 mci -
Hello,
I am completely clueless about computers and although I have read some of the answers to my problem and tried to follow the instructions, such as making hidden files visible, it hasn’t changed anything.
So, I’m reaching out to you, who seem to be really good at this (no, I’m not flattering you here!) to help me solve this mystery.
In itself, it’s not very annoying, but it frustrates me! I am using Vista and I have certain folders on an external hard drive, like photos for example, that I wanted to back up there, which have disappeared (now that’s really annoying me more, but okay). The folder is empty but when I try to delete it, it gives me the following error message: "error 0X80070091 the directory is not empty" ??? Also, in my recycle bin, I also have an empty folder that won’t go away...??
I don’t understand anything, and I’m not good at this, so if someone could please help me fix this by explaining what steps to take in a way that I can understand, thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Configuration: Windows Vista Firefox 3.0.6

2 réponses

neogenesis Posted messages 5303 Status Contributeur 530
 
Hello,

Unable to empty the recycle bin?

Try disconnecting your external hard drive by clicking on the link in your taskbar (bottom right) to safely disconnect it.

Then try to empty your recycle bin and reconnect your hard drive, then try to delete the stubborn folder.
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-> The principle of evolution is much faster in computing than in bipedal creatures.
2
marylou
 
Hello and thank you for your quick reply,
I have to tell you that something extraordinary happened since last night!
I thought that maybe a little disk cleanup was in order, so I tried it on my external hard drive, and there I saw that only the recycle bin was left, weighing 2.XX GB, and the cleanup couldn't empty it!? So I thought, what if I defragmented this disk? which I did, and there! well, the recycle bin IS EMPTY! I found the lost files in the folders that I couldn't delete!!??
I don't understand anything, do you?
Thanks if you can shed some light on this new mystery!!
Look forward to hearing from you soon,
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neogenesis Posted messages 5303 Status Contributeur 530 > marylou
 
Hello,

Normally, when deleting files on the external drive and as long as the recycle bin is not emptied, the files remain on the drive but are no longer directly accessible. Therefore, you need to empty the recycle bin and then the files disappear from the drive.

But I don't quite understand the action you took that caused this problem.
I don't have the answer to this mystery, sorry :-)

But if I understand correctly, everything is back to normal now?
--
-> The principle of evolution is much faster in IT than in the biped.
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DOM69500 Posted messages 2 Status Membre > neogenesis Posted messages 5303 Status Contributeur
 
Hello,
Well yes, everything has fallen back into place and I have no idea how!!?? but the mysteries of computers are impenetrable! Thank you anyway for your help.
May I dare to ask you something else?
I've been told that it's possible to "unlock" a PowerPoint document. Do you know how to do that? Do you need software? Thank you again in advance,
Best regards,
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neogenesis Posted messages 5303 Status Contributeur 530 > DOM69500 Posted messages 2 Status Membre
 
How do you unlock it? Can you be more specific please?
--
-> The principle of evolution is much faster in computing than in bipedal beings.
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DOM69500 > neogenesis Posted messages 5303 Status Contributeur
 
I'm sorry for the delayed response,
Actually, I made a mistake; it's a PDF file.
It's impossible to edit, so can we use software to "unlock" this file?
Thank you again for everything,
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miloud66
 
empty message I have an answer
0x80070091
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