ERROR_DS_CANT_DELETE 0x800720CE

Error code 8398 · HRESULT 0x800720CE

WINDOWS

The requested delete operation could not be performed.

Windows troubleshooting diagram: Device Manager warning and a system file scan
Windows errors: check drivers, system files and Event Viewer, in that order.

What it means

ERROR_DS_CANT_DELETE is a Windows error code (system error 8398, returned as HRESULT 0x800720CE) reported by Windows. Its official message is: “The requested delete operation could not be performed.”

How to fix ERROR_DS_CANT_DELETE

  1. Reboot once — many one-off system codes disappear with a clean restart
  2. Repair system files: 'sfc /scannow' then 'DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth'
  3. Find the source in Event Viewer → System: filter for this exact code and open its provider link

Related errors

ERROR_DS_CANT_CACHE_ATTERROR_DS_CANT_CACHE_CLASSERROR_DS_CANT_REMOVE_ATT_CACHEERROR_DS_CANT_REMOVE_CLASS_CACHEERROR_DS_TREE_DELETE_NOT_FINISHEDERROR_DS_ATT_SCHEMA_REQ_IDERROR_DS_RECALCSCHEMA_FAILED

Source: Microsoft WinError.h

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