PS script error

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PS script error

Hram Admin 140

Hello!

I have a few scripts that delete old backups from some folders. There's actually one string that deletes the oldest folder:

Remove-Item -Path [Folder Name] -Recurse -Force

...and it works perfect for all folders except the one: while deleting this folder the script terminates with the error 0xC00000FC or - if run in ISE - the ISE itself exits and gets restarted.

This folder is different from any other only in containing user profiles, but the script is run with the #Requiers Administrator option so it must have the right to delete them.

Either script or ISE doesn't even delete anything - the folder size never changes, it seems the script just hangs for ~5-7 minutes and then crashes with 0xC00000FC.

What can be the cause of this?

Regards,
Michael

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Answer 1

Rich Matheisen 47,856

It might be a damaged profile, or a profile with a very long name, or a profile with security that's unexpected. Or, it may be a damaged disk (perhaps a bad sector?).

Sometimes just running with administrative privileges isn't sufficient (see unexpected security). Try running your script with backup and restore privileges.

FYI, the Remove-Item will also remove (or try to) any sub-directories it encounters. Is that your intention?

If you encounter a profile that's difficult to remove, you might want to try using delprof2 (https://helgeklein.com/free-tools/delprof2-user-profile-deletion-tool/).

I don't think this is a PowerShell problem, though.

Hram Admin 140 Reputation points

2025-04-16T09:59:25.4466667+00:00

Hi Rich Matheisen,

Thank you for the reply!

"the Remove-Item will also remove (or try to) any sub-directories it encounters. Is that your intention?" - yes, it's exactly what I need.

Didn't get this: "Sometimes just running with administrative privileges isn't sufficient (see unexpected security). Try running your script with backup and restore privileges." - doesn't a member of administrator group has the backup/restore priveleges?

By the way, the script crashes even after I have reset permissions on the folder :(

Regards,
Michael
Rich Matheisen 47,856 Reputation points

2025-04-16T15:53:45.67+00:00

Yes, "Run as administrator" should give you the necessary permissions.

What version of PowerShell are you using? You say you use the ISE so I'm assuming you're running Windows PowerShell (powershell.exe) and not "Powershell" (pwsh.exe). If so, is it the latest version of Windows PowerShell 5.1?

Getting a list of all the files you want to remove, and then removing them one at a time (recording the name of each one before attempting to remove it) might help you locate the problem.

Have you tried delprof2?
Hram Admin 140 Reputation points

2025-04-17T13:49:35.53+00:00

Yes, it's powershell.exe, version 5.1.20348.2849 .

Getting a list of all the files you want to remove, and then removing them one at a time (recording the name of each one before attempting to remove it) - agree!

Have you tried delprof2? - no, I have no issues deleting the folder manually so here's the main question: if I can easily delete ....say FOLDER1 as local admin manually then what prevents PS from doing exactly the same in the console ?

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