OneDrive File Issues

Fix Cannot Delete OneDrive Folders Marked Sync Pending (Error 0x80070091)

Rana Garcia Sep 30, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user is unable to delete certain folders managed by OneDrive because their availability status is stuck on Sync pending, accompanied by Windows error 0x80070091.

How to Fix Cannot Delete OneDrive Folders Marked Sync Pending

Product: Microsoft OneDrive
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Attempting to manage or delete local folders that are currently configured to back up and synchronize via OneDrive.
Observed behavior: Windows prevents the folder from being deleted, displays a Sync pending status, and prompts the user with error code 0x80070091.

Before you start

Before modifying sync settings or forcing a folder deletion, log in to onedrive.com to confirm exactly which files are stored in the cloud, as deleting a synced folder locally will automatically send the cloud copy to the OneDrive recycle bin.

Solution 1Recommended

Stop Syncing Top-Level Folders via Manage Backup

Since OneDrive restricts the exclusion of specific subfolders, you must stop syncing the entire parent directory to regain local control and delete the folder without sync interference.

OneDrive does not allow individual directories within the core Windows folders (Documents, Desktop, Pictures, Music, and Videos) to be excluded from synchronization. To resolve the deletion error, you need to manage the backup settings for the parent folder.

Open OneDrive Settings

Click the OneDrive cloud icon in the Windows taskbar system tray, click the Help & Settings gear icon, and select Settings from the menu.

Access Manage Backup

Navigate to the Sync and backup tab on the left sidebar, then click the Manage backup button on the right side.

Toggle Off Folder Synchronization

Locate the top-level folder (such as Documents or Desktop) containing the directory you want to delete, and toggle the switch to turn off backup for that folder.

Confirm and Delete

Click Stop backup to confirm. Once synchronization stops and the folder is detached from OneDrive, right-click the problematic folder in File Explorer and select Delete.

Stop Syncing Top-Level Folders via Manage Backup

Folder Hierarchy Restriction: You cannot pick and choose specific subfolders to stop syncing within the main user folders. The toggle applies to the entire Desktop, Documents, or Pictures directory.

Solution 2

Resolve Pending Synchronization Online

Clear the sync blockage directly from the web interface to allow the local OneDrive client to update its status, clearing the error 0x80070091.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Windows show error 0x80070091 when I try to delete a folder?

Error 0x80070091 typically means 'The directory is not empty'. In the context of OneDrive, it occurs when hidden system files or corrupted sync data inside the folder are locked by the background synchronization process, preventing the system from removing the directory.

Can I exclude just one specific subfolder from syncing to OneDrive?

No. OneDrive does not allow users to exclude individual subdirectories located inside the main Desktop, Documents, Pictures, Music, or Videos folders. You can only choose to stop syncing the entire parent folder using the Manage Backup settings.

Where do my files go when I delete a OneDrive synced folder?

When you successfully delete a synced folder or file, it is moved to the local Windows Recycle Bin and simultaneously sent to the cloud recycle bin at onedrive.com, where it can be recovered for up to 30 days.

Document & File Issues