Cannot delete Local appdata folder on Windows 10

[deesker]

Hey, Spotify is not launching for me in Windows 10. I've uninstalled/reinstalled to no avail. After reading some other posts on here, I'm attempting to delete the Local appdata folder, but there is one folder within the subfolders of this Spotify folder that I cannot delete called "index.dat".  It's located here: C:\Users\%user%\AppData\Local\Spotify\Storage. When I try to click on this folder I see the error "The directory name is invalid." How can I delete this? 

[Sebasty]

Hey @deesker

First thing I'd try is restarting the computer and then trying to get rid of the folder again.

Safe Mode should help too, but let's try simple restart first. 🙂

Let me know how it goes!

[deesker]

Unfortunately I already tried restarting and deleting, but it didn't work. What would you do in safe mode?

[Sebasty]

@deesker

I'd use Safe Mode to try deleting it as well.

To get into Safe Mode:

1. search 'msconfig' in Start, or hit Windows Logo + R to get the Run Program window, and type 'msconfig' in it.

2. Go to Boot tab. Tick 'Safe Boot' (or 'Safe Mode') and select either Minimal or Networking, depending whether you'd like to use Internet connection for extra troubleshooting whilst in Safe Mode.

Click OK. You'll be prompted to restart, and you'll end up in Safe Mode.

Note 1: To get back into normal Windows, you have to go to msconfig again to uncheck 'Safe Boot'. Then, the next restart brings you back into normal Windows.

Note 2: Since it loads basic system services only, the graphics will look pretty bad. It's normal.

This error looks interesting though.
If possible, can you see the contents of this folder (if there's anything inside)?

Let me know what happens 🙂

[deesker]

Unfortunately I wasn't able to delete the folder in safe mode either. I'm
unable to open the folder too. I inspected the properties and it has 0
bytes, so I assume nothing is inside.

Have any other ideas?

[Sebasty]

@deesker

Hm, that's weird!

What else could work is opening Command Prompt as an admin and then typing in this command:

rmdir C:\Users\%user%\AppData\Local\Spotify\Storage

rmdir stands for 'remove directory'.

If this didn't work, I recommend running the Check Disc command, still in Command Prompt as an admin. You'll have to set it to check the disk the file is on, such as C: drive.

Example:

chkdsk /f C:

/f tag marks the command will attempt to fix issues, should it find any.

Since the disc is likely the kind that you're using (a system disc), the command will ask you to schedule it, and the check will be performed the next time you restart your system.

(pretty much like memory test) 🙂

I also have some questions - how long have you had Spotify installed on your computer? Also, do you have any antivirus?

Keep me posted!

[deesker]

Bummer, I'm still having trouble...

I tried the first solution, but Command Prompt gave me this message: The
directory is not empty.

I also ran a Check Disk command and was unable to delete the folder after
doing so. I received the same error as before: The directory name is
invalid.

I've had Spotify on my computer for 4.5 years.

I have Avast installed, and I just ran a scan with it. I even target
scanned the folder with the file in it. According to it, I have no
viruses.

Any other ideas?

[Sebasty · Accepted solution]

@deesker

That was a good error! I forgot that you have to include a special tag to delete the folder even if it has contents.

Try this:

rmdir /s C:\Users\%user%\AppData\Local\Spotify\

If that doesn't help, then there's an utility called Unlocker. Maybe that will help. 🙂

Keep me posted!