Error Code 36 - not possible to delete complete folder (with >100,000 files)

Question

I used all of my 1 TB OneDrive in an effort of backing up a NAS drive.

After all, it now turns out the backup does not work as intended, and I would like to clean OneDrive and completely remove the data (only on OneDrive, not on the NAS!). However, OneDrive now has a (sub)folder which is filled with files of about 8 MB in size

• roughly 120,000 of it. OneDrive won't let me delete the complete folder, but returns Error Code 36. I am able to delete single files, or a collection thereof in the internet browser interface. However, with over 100,000 files, this is quite a nuissance, as multiselecting more than a couple hundred files does not work. Using Win10 or Mac doesn't make a difference.

Any solution?

Thanks and regards,

Jan

Answer 1

Hi

JanHS1999,

SharePoint online (including OneDrive fir business) has resource throttles and limits that govern the amount of data and throughput that can be managed. The List View Threshold is by default, approximately 5000 items.

When the defined item limit in a list/library is exceeded, the message “The attempted operation is prohibited because it exceeds the list view threshold enforced by the administrator” is displayed reminding you that the limit.

In this case, you must select the items in folder and delete them. I understand this is time consuming, since SharePoint online has a limit, you may have to repeat this action to be able to delete the folder.

We appreciate your understanding.

Regards,

Neha

Answer 2

Computers are only as smart as the programmers who design the programs, and as the users who think outside of the box to work around the limitations of the imagination, or funding, of the programmers and designers of the programs.

In other words:

Programming today is a race between software engineers striving to build bigger, better idiot-proof programs,

and the Universe trying to produce bigger and better idiots.

So far, the Universe is winning.

**Rick Cook**,

(Sometimes the role of the idiot swaps places)

That German message is actually somewhat useful. Now all we need to figure out which admin it is referring to, and how they set the limit ...

Now all you need is a "macro" tool that works in OneDrive ...

I've heard of a tool call ITTT, If This Then That. I've never used it myself, but what I recall about it is that it is a generic automation tool.  Maybe you can get it to automate the deletion and clearing ...

Answer 3

That's what I have been doing. Not exactly what I expect from a computer - the human doing the repetitions. As a matter of fact, the recycle bin does not seem to be the issue. After having done some rounds of selecting, deleting and cleaning of the recycle bin, I have 100 GB of free OneDrive space. Still, I cannot select more than just a couple 100 files.

BTW: using the old OneDrive interface, the error message is a little more elaborate (using Google translate from German):

Server Error:

backup

The attempted operation is invalid because it exceeds the administrator-enforced list view threshold.

Still looking for a solution.

Answer 4

My experience with OneDrive has been relatively User Unfriendly.

I suspect your problem is that deleted files go into the recycle bin.

So, to start with, delete everything from the recycle bin.

Delete a bunch of files

Clean recycle bin

repeat

Like I said, not friendly.