# IOException: unable to delete file **URL:** \ **Category:** Ignition\ **Created:** [September 12, 2017, 2:33pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/ioexception-unable-to-delete-file/15314 "2017-09-12T14:33:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mr.K001](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ea5d25/32.png) [@Mr.K001](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/Mr.K001)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2017, 2:33pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/ioexception-unable-to-delete-file/15314/1 "2017-09-12T14:33:40Z")
Hi guys, sometimes I get this error on client launch saying : > Error Launching application: > IOException: unable to delete file: > C:\Users\username.ignition\cache\gwmhsignition\_8088\_8043\_main\C0\pylib\xml\etree\ElementPath.py Either I can click Retry or exit, clicking retry fixes the issue, everything loads up just fine but you have to manually click that. I was wondering if it is possible to make this process automatic? I already talked to IT and asked them to set up some batch file to delete the .ignition folder once a week so that way it keeps the folder fresh. I didn't know if anyone has dealt with this specific error before or anyone has a solution as far as handling these launching errors. I'm using 7.9.4 and Gateway java is 1.8.0\_45 and most clients are 1.8.0\_100+ Thanks in advance! ---
**Author:** ![Keith.Britton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f05b48/32.png) [@Keith.Britton](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/Keith.Britton)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2018, 12:29pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/ioexception-unable-to-delete-file/15314/2 "2018-01-30T12:29:18Z")
I too get this error. It is rare; occurs when launching clients or Designer. This last time it occurred I had just used the Java control panel applet to delete the cache, if that means anything. “Retry” always works. ![](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/inductiveautomation/original/2X/9/97a0cd117c652f043a53f7ee392db002b8bdaa19.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![bschroeder](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/inductiveautomation/user_avatar/forum.inductiveautomation.com/bschroeder/32/13260_2.png) [@bschroeder](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/bschroeder)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2021, 12:47pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/ioexception-unable-to-delete-file/15314/4 "2021-09-27T12:47:27Z")
in your users directory, backup the .ignition directory and then delete. Re-open designer and try again. ---
**Author:** ![Alex\_DeBate](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/inductiveautomation/user_avatar/forum.inductiveautomation.com/alex_debate/32/56483_2.png) [@Alex\_DeBate](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/Alex_DeBate)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2022, 2:11pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/ioexception-unable-to-delete-file/15314/5 "2022-07-07T14:11:17Z")
I had a similar issue and this worked. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Kunal\_Purohit1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b5e925/32.png) [@Kunal\_Purohit1](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/Kunal_Purohit1)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2023, 2:19pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/ioexception-unable-to-delete-file/15314/6 "2023-09-25T14:19:11Z")
What to do backup directory abd delete. Please mention address file ---
**Author:** ![bschroeder](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/inductiveautomation/user_avatar/forum.inductiveautomation.com/bschroeder/32/13260_2.png) [@bschroeder](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/bschroeder)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2023, 2:33pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/ioexception-unable-to-delete-file/15314/7 "2023-09-25T14:33:25Z")
I'm not sure what you are asking. ---
**Author:** ![Kunal\_Purohit1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b5e925/32.png) [@Kunal\_Purohit1](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/Kunal_Purohit1)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2023, 2:34pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/ioexception-unable-to-delete-file/15314/8 "2023-09-25T14:34:41Z")
![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/inductiveautomation/original/3X/a/c/acb7c06877ba81944dd0a98ba07266546c1b5331.png) I have this issue ---
**Author:** ![bschroeder](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/inductiveautomation/user_avatar/forum.inductiveautomation.com/bschroeder/32/13260_2.png) [@bschroeder](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/bschroeder)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2023, 2:43pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/ioexception-unable-to-delete-file/15314/9 "2023-09-25T14:43:59Z")
That looks like another instance of Vision or the Designer is running while the application is starting up. Double check that there isn't another instance on the PC running. ---
**Author:** ![Kunal\_Purohit1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b5e925/32.png) [@Kunal\_Purohit1](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/Kunal_Purohit1)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2023, 2:52pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/ioexception-unable-to-delete-file/15314/10 "2023-09-25T14:52:33Z")
Thank you. But I made sure no two instances are running but still facing the same issue ---
**Author:** ![bschroeder](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/inductiveautomation/user_avatar/forum.inductiveautomation.com/bschroeder/32/13260_2.png) [@bschroeder](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/bschroeder)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2023, 2:54pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/ioexception-unable-to-delete-file/15314/11 "2023-09-25T14:54:14Z")
Is this Vision Client or Designer? When does this occur? Have you tried to backup the .ignition folder, delete it and then try again? ---
**Author:** ![Kunal\_Purohit1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b5e925/32.png) [@Kunal\_Purohit1](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/Kunal_Purohit1)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2023, 2:56pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/ioexception-unable-to-delete-file/15314/12 "2023-09-25T14:56:22Z")
for designer , have tried with the cache file ---
**Author:** ![bschroeder](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/inductiveautomation/user_avatar/forum.inductiveautomation.com/bschroeder/32/13260_2.png) [@bschroeder](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/bschroeder)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2023, 2:58pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/ioexception-unable-to-delete-file/15314/13 "2023-09-25T14:58:59Z")
OK, so you have closed designer and then backed up and then deleted the C:\Users\Vertech.ignition folder? ---
**Author:** ![Kunal\_Purohit1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b5e925/32.png) [@Kunal\_Purohit1](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/Kunal_Purohit1)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2023, 3:01pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/ioexception-unable-to-delete-file/15314/14 "2023-09-25T15:01:42Z")
when you say back up, it only means to copy and store it somewhere. Sorry for extremely stupid question. do I need to back up gateway. ---
**Author:** ![Kunal\_Purohit1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b5e925/32.png) [@Kunal\_Purohit1](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/Kunal_Purohit1)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2023, 3:16pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/ioexception-unable-to-delete-file/15314/15 "2023-09-25T15:16:54Z")
Problem solved ---
**Author:** ![murphyhill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6de8d8/32.png) [@murphyhill](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/murphyhill)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2026, 4:49pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/ioexception-unable-to-delete-file/15314/16 "2026-09-18T16:49:55Z")
I am getting this same issue, but it doesn't clear when I click retry. I've tried deleting the .ignition folder, I've tried uninstalling Designer and re-installing, but I keep getting the same error. The file that it is trying to delete is java.exe. The reason it can't delete it is because it is running, but I can't force it to stop, whenever I do it restarts. ---
**Author:** ![pturmel](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/inductiveautomation/user_avatar/forum.inductiveautomation.com/pturmel/32/3295_2.png) [@pturmel](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/pturmel)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2026, 4:54pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/ioexception-unable-to-delete-file/15314/17 "2026-09-18T16:54:50Z")
> [@murphyhill](#): > > whenever I do it restarts. Then it isn't the same problem. You should start a new topic and share all potentially relevant details.