The directory is not empty

Question

Level 1

0 points

The directory is not empty

I noticed that my iTunes wasn't working from the shortcut I had on my desktop, so I tried opening it by the folder. It gave me a "Location is not available" error message, which says:

+C:\Program Files\iTunes is not accessible.+

+The file or directory is corrupted and unreadable.+

I cannot delete my iTunes folder. When I try to do so, it says:

+Error 0x80070091: The directory is not empty.+

I have tried renaming it, restarting, and even downloading questionable programs to try to delete this iTunes folder so I can reinstall it, but none of them work. Please help.

Dell Vostro 1520, Windows Vista

Posted on Dec 1, 2010 7:59 PM

Reply

Answer 1

b noir

Level 9

72,336 points

Dec 1, 2010 8:00 PM in response to AugustenJ

Which deletion utilities did you try using for the problem, August?

Reply

Answer 2

AugustenJ Author

Level 1

0 points

Dec 1, 2010 8:05 PM in response to b noir

A tool within MalwareBytes' Anti-Malware program called FileASSASSIN, Unlocker 1.90, moveonb, Revo, and Glary's Utilities.

Reply

Answer 3

b noir

Level 9

72,336 points

Dec 1, 2010 8:08 PM in response to AugustenJ

Crikey ... that pretty much covers the field.

I have had some luck with folks with these using Killbox (the "Delete on reboot" option seems to work best, too):

http://www.killbox.net/

Reply

Answer 4

AugustenJ Author

Level 1

0 points

Dec 1, 2010 8:13 PM in response to b noir

I downloaded it, targeted the folder, and clicked delete:

"PendingFileRenameOperations Registry Data has been Removed by External Process!"

Reply

Answer 5

b noir

Level 9

72,336 points

Dec 1, 2010 8:17 PM in response to AugustenJ

That's okay ... we should still be on track. It looks like that message means that Killbox wasn't able to restart the PC rather than not being able to delete the file.

Restart the PC ... does the deletion go through for you?

Reply

Answer 6

AugustenJ Author

Level 1

0 points

Dec 1, 2010 8:23 PM in response to b noir

No, but I think I did it incorrectly. Let me try again.

Be right back.

Reply

Answer 7

AugustenJ Author

Level 1

0 points

Dec 1, 2010 8:28 PM in response to b noir

All right. That didn't work.

Reply

Answer 8

b noir

Level 9

72,336 points

Dec 1, 2010 9:31 PM in response to AugustenJ

Drat.

Have you tried running a disk check over your C drive?

I'd use the instructions from the following document. Select both Automatically fix file system errors and Scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors. You'll be prompted to reschedule the disk check for the next time you restart your computer. The scan should take quite a long time. If it quits after a few minutes or seconds, something is interfering with the scan.

[Check your hard disk for errors|http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-vista/Check-your-hard-disk-fo r-errors]

Does the disk check find/repair any damage? If so, are you able to delete or rename the folder now?

Reply

Answer 9

AugustenJ Author

Level 1

0 points

Dec 1, 2010 9:50 PM in response to b noir

I did everything as directed, but it started up as if nothing happened. It paused at the black screen for a few seconds with just a blinking cursor and then continued booting up as usual.

Reply

Answer 10

b noir

Level 9

72,336 points

Dec 1, 2010 9:58 PM in response to AugustenJ

Drat. Try scheduling another disk check for restart, only this time let's do a clean boot of the PC, as per:

[Perform a clean startup to determine whether background programs are interfering with your game or program|http://support.microsoft.com/kb/331796]

(It might be best to disconnect from the internet and/or your network prior to the clean boot, because this may compromise your security software.)

Does that allow the disk check to run for you?

Reply

Answer 11

AugustenJ Author

Level 1

0 points

Dec 1, 2010 10:18 PM in response to b noir

Just to make sure I did this correctly before I say yes or no, I was supposed to disconnect, schedule a disk check, follow the directions to disable programs at start-up, and then restart. Right?

If so, that didn't work, either. Argh!

Reply

Answer 12

b noir

Level 9

72,336 points

Dec 1, 2010 10:29 PM in response to AugustenJ

Yes, that's just right ... Argh indeed.

We can't rename it, we can't delete it, we can't check it for damage.

Maybe we can still move it?

Create another folder in the Program files directory called, say, "Dodgy".

Are you able to drag the iTunes folder into the Dodgy folder? If so, we should be able to do a repair install of iTunes now that won't get hung up on the damage/whatever that has happened to the existing iTunes folder.

Reply

Answer 13

AugustenJ Author

Level 1

0 points

Dec 1, 2010 10:56 PM in response to b noir

I think we're misunderstanding each other about the renaming bit. I can rename; it just doesn't solve my issue (I don't think). I'll rename the iTunes folder Elusive, and then I should be able to install?

I'll see if that works and let you know.

Edit: I wanted to add that there's still a dead, corrupt iTunes file in my Programs within a folder named Elusive, but this is a good temporary fix for now.

Message was edited by: AugustenJ

Reply

Answer 14

AugustenJ Author

Level 1

0 points

Dec 1, 2010 10:55 PM in response to b noir

I'm really sorry about the miscommunication in the original post. That definitely worked.

I'm not sure why you do this forum business, but I sincerely appreciate your help. Thank you so much.

Reply

Answer 15

b noir

Level 9

72,336 points

Dec 2, 2010 12:07 AM in response to AugustenJ

🙂 Excellent news!

Yes, the one drawback of the "rename" workaround is that it leaves damaged files/folders on the PC. But we've worked through most of the things I'd normally try to get rid of damaged stuff like that.

Anyone else with any more advanced file-deletion advice, feel free to leap in.

Reply