How to Fix System Restore Error 0x80070091 in Windows 10?

In this guide, today I will walk you through the troubleshooting steps to fix the System Restore error 0x80070091 (The Directory is not Empty) in Windows 10. Keep reading!

Its been viral now a day’s that if your updating Windows it is likely to face an error while running the system. Though Windows 10 is the most reliable OS provided by Microsoft however, it doesn’t mean that it is free from errors. Recently many Windows 10 users reported that the system restore process fails and facing an error. While facing any server error the users have to perform a system restore to a point where the system was working fine. But sometimes the system restore fails and throws a message with an error code 0x80070091 in Windows 10 such as:

System Restore failed while restoring the directory from the restore point.

Source: AppxStaging

Destination: %ProgramFiles%\WindowsApps

An unspecified error occurred during System Restore. (0x80070091)

What System Restore Error 0x80070091 (The Directory is not Empty) means?

Windows system restore program is one of the important features for restoring the data at some malfunctioning of the system. Usually, the Windows system restore program helps us to revert back to the factory reset settings of your system. But sometimes the Windows system restore function misbehaves and pop-up into an error code 0x80070091.

System Restore Error 0x80070091 code defines that the directory WindowsApps folder is not empty which should be empty in order to run the Windows system restore successfully.

Why “The Directory is not Empty: error code 0x80070091” occurs?

Some of the possible predictions for such kind of error may be the antivirus may have blocked the process or the error might arouse because of the Sync settings. The other reason found was the corrupt files in program files.

Similar Issues reported by Windows Users

While speaking of the error code 0x80070091, here are some similar issues reported by various Windows users:

Error Code 0x80070091 Windows 7 – This error reported by the users of older versions of Windows. It is not an issue about the Windows version, most of the solutions will work for all the versions of Windows.
System Restore unexpected error – While performing System Restore users encountered some certain errors. These issues are caused by corrupted system files.
Windows 10 System Restore did not complete successfully – Usually, this message appears if there’s an issue with System Restore.
System Restore failed due to antivirus – Your Antivirus may also cause some issues while performing a system restore. There are quite possible chances that Antivirus can interfere with your operating system and cause this issue to appear.

Also Read: How to fix Windows 10 Preparing Automatic Repair Loop?

How to Fix “The Directory is not Empty: 0x80070091 Error”?

Here I have listed some solutions to fix the issue. You need not try them all. Just try the solutions down the list until you fix your error code 0x80070091:

Rename the WindowsApps folder by booting the system in Safe Mode

In order to boot the system in Safe Mode open the Run program by pressing Windows + R key altogether and type msconfig in the dialogue box and hit Enter to open the window.

In the system configuration window navigate to Boot pane and click on the box next to Safe boot and press OK to save the changes. Click on Restart if asked by the system.

Once the Windows gets into a Safe Mode search for Command Prompt option. Right-click on it to run it as Administrator. Press Yes when asked by User Account Control.

Type the below-shown Commands one after the other and hit Enter to run them.

cd C:\Program Files

$cd C:\Program Files$

takeown /f WindowsApps /r /d Y

icacls WindowsApps /grant “%USERDOMAIN%\%USERNAME%”:(F) /t

attrib WindowsApps -h

rename WindowsApps WindowsApps.old

Once again open the System configuration Window as followed in Step I/II. Now this time Uncheck the box next to Safe Boot and press OK to save the changes.

Click on Restart when asked by the system. When it is done run the system restore program once again and see whether the error code 0x80070091 has resolved.

Restore the system in WinRE mode

Run the Operating system in the Windows recovery environment (WinRE) by pressing on Windows + I key altogether. Then select Update & Security Category.

Under the displayed window select the Recovery option from the menu and select Restart now option displayed under Advanced startup.

Now open the Command Prompt window in and run it as Admin.

Type the following commands in the Command prompt window and hit Enter to run the program.

cd C:\Program Files

attrib WindowsApps -h

$cd C:\Program Files attrib WindowsApps -h$

rename WindowsApps WindowsApps.old

Restart the system and reboot system restore again.

Update the System Manually

Open Windows settings by pressing Windows + I key altogether. GO to Update & Security column.

On the right side of the Window search for Check for Updates button.

It is always advised to keep on updating the hard drives to prevent any interference for System Restore.

Run the chkdsk under the Command Prompt

Search Command Prompt in the Start menu and right-click on it to run it as Administrator.

Once the Command Prompt Window is opened type chkdsk/f(name of system drive) usually it is C drive and hit Enter to run the command.

A disk scan needs to schedule at the next reboot press Y and hit Enter to confirm when asked by the system.

Once it is done restart the PC and run the system restore the program to check the error code 0x80070091 has been resolved or not.

Delete the problematic updates

Once again open the Windows setting by pressing Windows + I key altogether and select Update and security option.

Once you reached on the Update & Security window now select view update history.

Now select the Uninstall updates option displayed under view installed update history.

Double-click on the update you want to remove and follow the instruction displayed on the screen.

Once the problematic update has been removed the error code 0x80070091 in Windows 10 System restore might have resolved.

Temporary Disable your Antivirus

As we have already discussed that your Antivirus may interfere while performing system restore and can create error code 0x80070091. In such a case it is advisable to perform system restore by disabling the antivirus temporarily.

Turn off Sync Settings

Though it is not a common solution for all users. However, some users reported that turning off Sync Settings helped them in fixing the issue. To do so follow these steps:

Press the Windows key and select Settings.

Select Accounts.

Select Sync your settings.

Put these settings to off position to Turn off Sync Settings.

Close the settings window and restart your computer and check for the error.

Conclusion

These were the effective solutions to fix “The Directory is not empty error code 0x80070091”. Hopefully, your error has been resolved. Let us know in the comment section which method worked for you? Wanna some more DeviceTricks? Stay tuned to this space to get the latest updates on errors related to Windows, macOS, Android, and Games.

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