Directory is not empty error in c#

Question

In my example I am trying to delete the folders under a particular folder. My folder structure like this... C:\Export\MyDir1\MyDir2\MyDir3\MyDir4\MyDir5 This structure will come on the fly. Next time when I run my application it should check for C:\Export\MyDir1 directory and delete if exists. I written like this

private static string getExportPath(string exportTargetPath, string parentIssue)
        {
            string exportPath = Path.Combine(exportTargetPath, parentIssue);
            if (Directory.Exists(exportPath))
            {
                string[] files = Directory.GetFiles(exportPath);
                string[] dirs = Directory.GetDirectories(exportTargetPath);

                File.SetAttributes(exportTargetPath, FileAttributes.Normal);
                Directory.Delete(exportTargetPath,false);
            }

            return exportPath;
        }

I checked with the issue posted in this sit Issue I tried with this one but can't get solution. As per the suggested answer for this question, when i try to iterate through the directories then it is going to infinite loop. Where I done the mistake? Could any one help me?

possible duplicate of [delete a directory having subdirectory (not empty)](http://stackoverflow.com/questions/5933764/delete-a-directory-having-subdirectory-not-empty) — nawfal, Feb 10 '14 at 07:49

score 20 · Answer 1 · answered May 30 '12 at 12:13

20

Do a recursive delete: Directory.Delete(exportTargetPath, true);

MSDN specifically says that you will get an IOException if:

The directory specified by path is read-only, or recursive is false and path is not an empty directory.

answered May 30 '12 at 12:13

FishBasketGordo

22,904
4
58
91

score 6 · Answer 2 · answered May 30 '12 at 12:13

6

The 2nd param of Directory.Delete is named 'recursive' for a reason. Try setting that to true.

answered May 30 '12 at 12:13

MrSoundless

1,246
2
12
34

1

None of you guys are answering the question. In my case it works recursively sometimes and other times it don't. I just want to delete everything in a directory, file/folder/directory, just all! – Bojangles Sep 29 '13 at 07:49
How is this not an answer? Did you try it? What is the part we're missing? Enlighten us – MrSoundless Sep 30 '13 at 12:06
Seems like Directory class doesn't like that you to have File Explorer opened on the same path you are working on, maybe that was the problem. – mkstyl3 Sep 20 '20 at 10:35

Directory is not empty error in c#

2 Answers2