cannot remove folder <.......> The direct is not empty

  • Thread starter Thread starter Candy
  • Start date Start date
C

Candy

Hi all,

Could anyone please help me. I have been trying for a while to delete a
folder from my documents. Firstly when i try it says file name too long for
recycle bin and asks if I want to permanently delete. I don't want them - so
yes to all.
Then it says cannot remove folder ........... The directory is not empty.

I know the basics about computers, but when it comes to the technical stuff,
I'd rather leave alone incase i mess it all up. Especially with dos etc.

I have windows xp, when i've tried searching for help I have no luck.

I'm asking if someone can exlpain this to me in "simple terms" please. Step
by step would be a bonus.

Also in add remove programmes, I have a very old kazaa file - very much
unwanted but it won't unistall - says

Setup has experienced an error
please do the following
close running programmes
empty temp folder
check internet connection
then try to run setup again

I have done all of this. Still no luck - When i look in programme files - it
does not exist.
Same applies to another file in add/remove - but that just sends error
reports and doesn't explain why.

Finally is there a way I can extend my (C:) drive my perhaps taking some
memory from (D:) as they both hold 40G memory but only have 9%space in (C:)
so can't defrag. unless i transfer files to (D:) but don't want to go long
way round for files all the time etc.

I'm sure you'll understand that I'm making no sense lol.
Sorry to have written an essay - Please help!
 
Candy said:
Hi all,

Could anyone please help me. I have been trying for a while to delete a
folder from my documents. Firstly when i try it says file name too long for
recycle bin and asks if I want to permanently delete. I don't want them - so
yes to all.
Then it says cannot remove folder ........... The directory is not empty.
Click to expand...


The folder evidently contains hidden file(s)
In Windows Explorer go up to
Tools, folders options, view

then enable seeing hidden files
I know the basics about computers, but when it comes to the technical stuff,
I'd rather leave alone incase i mess it all up. Especially with dos etc.

I have windows xp, when i've tried searching for help I have no luck.

I'm asking if someone can exlpain this to me in "simple terms" please. Step
by step would be a bonus.

Also in add remove programmes, I have a very old kazaa file - very much
unwanted but it won't unistall - says

Setup has experienced an error
please do the following
close running programmes
empty temp folder
check internet connection
then try to run setup again

I have done all of this. Still no luck - When i look in programme files - it
does not exist.
Same applies to another file in add/remove - but that just sends error
reports and doesn't explain why.
Click to expand...


You'd have to manually delete it
then comb the registry for related entires and delete them.

Unless you really are sure of what you are doing...
I'd not fool with it.

Finally is there a way I can extend my (C:) drive my perhaps taking some
memory from (D:) as they both hold 40G memory but only have 9%space in (C:)
so can't defrag. unless i transfer files to (D:) but don't want to go long
way round for files all the time etc.

I'm sure you'll understand that I'm making no sense lol.
Sorry to have written an essay - Please help!
Click to expand...

Your terminology is not correct here.

The amount of RAM you machine has is "memory".

At any rate, to extent your C: drive you'd need a third party utility...
but chances are even that would not work if there was no sufficient free
space on the drive...

To create more free space on your C: drive
you may want to copy some of your data over to D:
 
You have to help others to help you as a rule; inline please:
Hi all,

Could anyone please help me. I have been trying for a while to delete
a folder from my documents. Firstly when i try it says file name too
long for recycle bin and asks if I want to permanently delete. I
don't want them - so yes to all.
Then it says cannot remove folder ........... The directory is not
empty.
Click to expand...

What is the name of the folder?
Can you see any files or folders in that folder ( aka directory)?
Drill down to the deepest entry and start deleting the files from each
one, then delete the folder.
If you cannot see any files in any of the folders, do you know how to
set up so you can see hidden folders? If so, do so.
Here's how:
Open windows Explorer. In the top menu,
click Tools
click Folder Options
Click the View tab
Scroll down through the choices and put check marks at:
Display the contents of system folders
Under Hidden Files and Folders,
put a check mark on Show Hidden Files and Folders
If there is a checkmark at Hide extensions for known file types,
remove it.
If there is acheckmark at Hide protected operating sysetm files,
remove it.
Now click APPLY TO ALL FOLDERS
If it asks you if you want it applied to all files & folders, answer
YES.
Your'e done; click OK

When you're done working on your problems, go back and undo the changes
you just made, especially the ones involving system files & folders.
I know the basics about computers, but when it comes to the technical
stuff, I'd rather leave alone incase i mess it all up. Especially
with dos etc.

I have windows xp, when i've tried searching for help I have no luck.
Click to expand...

SP1? SP2? SP3? No SP installed?
I'm asking if someone can exlpain this to me in "simple terms"
please. Step by step would be a bonus.
Click to expand...

First, you really need to answer all the questions being posed to you.
Also in add remove programmes, I have a very old kazaa file - very
much unwanted but it won't unistall - says
Click to expand...
Setup has experienced an error
please do the following
close running programmes
empty temp folder
check internet connection
then try to run setup again

I have done all of this. Still no luck - When i look in programme
files - it does not exist.
Click to expand...

You either have a botched installation or a botched removal.
First do a REstart, install the program, then Restart, and then
uninstall the program. The reinstall should put back the things you
need in order to do the uninstall successfully.
Same applies to another file in add/remove - but that just sends error
reports and doesn't explain why.
Click to expand...

What exactly are the errors reported? Word for word unless it's all
meaningless numbers; you can leave that part out, but quote all the
meaningful text.
Finally is there a way I can extend my (C:) drive my perhaps taking
some memory from (D:) as they both hold 40G memory but only have
9%space in (C:) so can't defrag. unless i transfer files to (D:) but
don't want to go long way round for files all the time etc.
Click to expand...

Yes.
Is this XP Home or XP Pro?
Is your system backed up?
Is the backup current and up to date?
Do you have an XP install disk, or an XP Restoration disk?
If all you have is a restore disk of some kind, what kind is it?
Are the recovery files in a hidden partition on the hard drive?
Computer brand/model?
Where bought? When?

If no to either of the first two Qs above, BACK UP your important data
NOW! All the files you have created; letters, pictures, email, IE
favorites, everything important to you that you cannot easily reload or
recreate. 40 Gig isn't that large; copy the data backup to DVDs so it's
off the computer.
Don't worry about XP and your programs - you have all those on the
original CDs, right? And you have the keycodes and COA and all that
good stuff, right? You probably have at least XP and Office, so be sure
you have those.
Without the above, you either already have or are about to have, a
fairly light and expensive boat anchor, so if they're not handy, look
hard for them.
I'm sure you'll understand that I'm making no sense lol.
Sorry to have written an essay - Please help!
Click to expand...

The essay would have been a lot better with a lot more details. You
have quite a mess there. If I had that machine in front of me, the
first thing I'd do is a backup, and then a complete partition kill &
recreation, followed by a clean install of all the software UNLESS the
restoration files are kept in a hidden partition on the hard drive. In
that case those need to get backed up for certain. .
All of the questions above are information you should have included
in order to get a fully qualified, best case response in the form of
targeted assistance and especially any step by step descrips.

For backups, you can use XP's ntbackup.exe. It's installed by default
on Pro but not on Home; you have to do it yourself with Home. If you
need help with that too, ask for it.

How to Post a newsgroup question effectively:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/q555375

HTH

Twayne
 
Candy said:
Hi all,

Could anyone please help me. I have been trying for a while to delete a
folder from my documents. Firstly when i try it says file name too long for
recycle bin and asks if I want to permanently delete. I don't want them - so
yes to all.
Then it says cannot remove folder ........... The directory is not empty.

I know the basics about computers, but when it comes to the technical stuff,
I'd rather leave alone incase i mess it all up. Especially with dos etc.

I have windows xp, when i've tried searching for help I have no luck.

I'm asking if someone can exlpain this to me in "simple terms" please. Step
by step would be a bonus.

Also in add remove programmes, I have a very old kazaa file - very much
unwanted but it won't unistall - says

Setup has experienced an error
please do the following
close running programmes
empty temp folder
check internet connection
then try to run setup again

I have done all of this. Still no luck - When i look in programme files - it
does not exist.
Same applies to another file in add/remove - but that just sends error
reports and doesn't explain why.

Finally is there a way I can extend my (C:) drive my perhaps taking some
memory from (D:) as they both hold 40G memory but only have 9%space in (C:)
so can't defrag. unless i transfer files to (D:) but don't want to go long
way round for files all the time etc.

I'm sure you'll understand that I'm making no sense lol.
Sorry to have written an essay - Please help!
Click to expand...
 
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