What causes fix error 0x80070091 — directory is not empty on Windows?

Common causes of fix error 0x80070091 — directory is not empty include: Hidden or system files inside the folder preventing deletion, File or folder locked by a running process, NTFS permissions preventing access to contents, Corrupted folder entry in NTFS file table, Antivirus quarantine holding files inside the folder, Windows Restore Point containing files in that directory.

How do I know if I have fix error 0x80070091 — directory is not empty issues?

Common symptoms of fix error 0x80070091 — directory is not empty include: System Restore fails with error 0x80070091, "The directory is not empty" when trying to delete a folder, Can't delete folder — error 0x80070091 even when folder appears empty, Windows Update fails with this error during cleanup, Folder stuck and can't be renamed, moved, or deleted, Recycle Bin shows this error when emptying.

Fix Fix Error 0x80070091: Directory Is Not Empty

Symptoms

You might be experiencing this problem if you notice:

•System Restore fails with error 0x80070091
•"The directory is not empty" when trying to delete a folder
•Can't delete folder — error 0x80070091 even when folder appears empty
•Windows Update fails with this error during cleanup
•Folder stuck and can't be renamed, moved, or deleted
•Recycle Bin shows this error when emptying

Common Causes

⚠Hidden or system files inside the folder preventing deletion
⚠File or folder locked by a running process
⚠NTFS permissions preventing access to contents
⚠Corrupted folder entry in NTFS file table
⚠Antivirus quarantine holding files inside the folder
⚠Windows Restore Point containing files in that directory

Solutions

Solution 1: Fix System Restore Error 0x80070091

1This commonly happens when System Restore can't process the WindowsApps folder:
2Boot into Safe Mode (Settings → Recovery → Advanced startup → Safe Mode)
3Navigate to C:\Program Files\WindowsApps
4Rename the "WindowsApps" folder to "WindowsApps.old"
5Try System Restore again — should succeed now
6After successful restore: delete the .old folder
7If you can't access WindowsApps: take ownership first (takeown /f /r)

Solution 2: Force Delete Stubborn Folder

1CMD as Administrator:
2rd /s /q "C:\path\to\folder"
3If that fails: check what's locking it:
4Resource Monitor → CPU tab → Associated Handles → search folder name
5End the locking process, then try deleting again
6Or reboot into Safe Mode and delete from there
7PowerShell: Remove-Item -Path "C:\path" -Recurse -Force

Solution 3: Fix Corrupted Folder

1If the folder appears empty but won't delete:
2Show hidden files: File Explorer → View → Hidden items
3CMD: dir /a "C:\path\to\folder" (shows ALL files including hidden/system)
4Run chkdsk to fix NTFS corruption:
5chkdsk C: /f /r (requires restart for C: drive)
6This scans and repairs file system errors
7After chkdsk: try deleting the folder again

FIXES THIS IN 5 MINUTES