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I was trying to clean up the SoftwareDistribution folder on a virtualized server after some botched updates. Long story short - I now have a folder which seems to be empty but which I can't remove. Note: this is all on a virtualized VHDX drive. The same issues occur from inside the virtualized OS as well as from the host OS if the VHDX is attached there (after the virtualized OS is shut down of course).

I'm the owner of the folder and all contents according to the security settings. There are no hidden nor system files inside. If I attempt to delete the folder using Shift+Delete and confirm the prompt then nothing happens. If I just press Delete on the folder I get Error 0x80070091: The directory is not empty.

I've also checked the disk for errors and came up empty.

I'm not sure how to proceed; I've had run-ins with corrupted files and folders in the past and my slew of usual solutions failed here; it's not a strange character as far as I can tell, it's not physical corruption, it's not a permissions issue. What else can I try?

MBender
  • 413

2 Answers2

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I've managed to fix the issue. Apparently VHDX volumes can become corrupted as well.

Solution was to:

  • attach VHDX to a host OS (after shutting down the OS residing on the VHDX)
  • run CHKDSK X: /scan /f where X is the volume letter after attaching

Disk check fixed whatever issues there were with the VHDX and afterwards I was able to delete the folder normally and without any other problems.

MBender
  • 413
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You can’t delete that folder without stopping the Windows Update and Background Intelligence Transfer Service services, and possibly the Windows Modules Installer service.

Appleoddity
  • 11,970