Windows 10: Cannot Delete Empty Folder "Directory Name is Invalid"

Long story short - Upgraded from windows 7 to windows 10 a few months ago, decided to backup Windows 7. Came to the realization that I wan't gonna downgrade and Windows.old was taking up substantial space so I decided to delete it via Disk Cleanup. One folder remained that I could not delete or compress, it was named "System.Printing.dll", all I could do was move it to my Desktop. Every time I try to delete or open it I get a message that saying that file in not accessible and the directory name is invalid. The folder isn't hurting anything, it's just an eyesore. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.

:)

 

cannot delete empty folders windows 10. windows message 'cannot find folders'.

I have this same problem, it has nothing to do with permissions. I can use the command prompt to delete and REN other folders. One of the folders just will not let me delete it.

Note when I run a Dir /Q the owner is shown a "..." that is just three dots. All of the other directories show a standard format owner

None of the answers below present a solution.

Suggestions?

Thx

 

Cannot delete empty folder (The Handle Is Invalid)

Hi,

It could be that the folder is already corrupted. As for the error code 0x80070003 that is related to Windows updates, a third-party antivirus program is a well-known cause for this. For us to effectively assist you, kindly provide the information we need
below:

• Have you tried to take full control of the folder and then try to delete it?
• Have you made any significant changes to your computer that could have triggered the issue?
• To remove the possibility of updates being blocked, Are you using any third-party antivirus programs?
• If yes, have you tried to disable them and check for necessary updates?

Meanwhile, kindly follow the steps below to try taking ownership of the said folder and try to delete it.

• Right-click on the folder in question and click on Properties.
• Click on the Security tab.
• Click on Edit under Group or User and select
  Add.
• In the pop-up window, type Everyone under Enter the object names to select and click on
  Check names.
• Click OK.
• Select Full Control under Permissions for everyone.
• Click Apply then OK.
• Click OK.
• Try deleting the folder.

Do get back to us with the results and if you have any other concerns, don't hesitate to post back.

 

Are you sure that's a folder? On my other Win7 PC it's an actual dll file under c:\windows\winsxs\...

Perhaps its directory listing has been corrupted. Try running Chkdsk from an administrative command prompt and see if it fixes it.

If that finds no errors, try right-clicking on it and select 'Properties'. On the Security tab the 'Advanced' button will let you take ownership. You should be able to delete it then.

If that fails, try downloading Linux and make a bootable 'live' USB. From Linux you can delete anything you want (so be careful).

 

I've run chkdsk and sfc, no errors or corrupted files. I've reset file permissions, I've tried deleting is safe mode w/o networking - no avail.

 

Time to boot Linux from a USB then. I once had to do that for a similar 'undeletable' file.

 

It is quite common that you can't delete Windows.old but in safe mode? I don't believe you. The file you are trying to delete is "system.printing.dll" is not loaded in safe mode normally. Are you sure?

Every upgrade I get xxxx.dll (from intel) that can't be deleted but I always can in safe mode.

Anyway, if you really can't delete it (of course I could be wrong) then as @Bree says you could boot from Linux.

Alternatively you could hold down the <shift> key and restart. That will reboot you into the RE environment. Go to a command line and then just delete it (or anything else).

When you boot into WinRE then Windows directory is not locked and you can do what you want (as long as it is not encrypted). Just type delete C:\whatever\whatever.dll

 

Despite the name, it certainly appears to be a folder and not an actual dll - the 0 bytes size is a bit of a give-away.

As windows complains that its name is invalid, have you tried renaming it?

 

Renaming does nothing, directory still invalid.

 

Did you actually succeed in renaming it, or did it fail with the 'invalid' error?

Perhaps you can delete it by using its 8.3 name. Open a command prompt, then type cd Desktop to go into that directory. Now type dir /x to list the 8.3 names as well as the long names. Now try deleting it using its 8.3 short name.

 

In the command prompt I see you used the command 'del c:\users\gary\desktop\system.printing.dll'

That won't actually work for a directory, you need to use the RMDIR command, DEL just works on files.

 

I tried the rmdir command, didn't work "directory path is invalid" again. I've also tried cmd prompt in winre and still didn't work. I've spent 20 minutes this morning talking to a Microsoft "technician" this morning named "Shid" he gave the the run around and told me to do things I've already tried, then he said. I'll send you an email to troubleshoot this problem. All the email told me to do was to clear out my temp folder... Can't Microsoft hire somebody who didn't grow up on a dirt road eating curry?

 

I am not sure I really want to reply given the last rather offensive comment which we do not accept on this forum.

However, on the grounds this was a thoughtless comment and you amend your post, the answer is simple - use a live linux drive.

 

You can also boot to the installer and run repair, or use Kyhi's WinPE disk, and delete files and directories via the command line. I document this in a recent blog post entitled "Anniversary Update Post-Install Cleanup" (8/31/2016).
HTH,
--Ed--