What does Windows error code 15809 (ERROR_STATE_DELETE_SETTING_FAILED) mean?

 
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ERROR_STATE_WRITE_SETTING_FAILED ERROR_STATE_QUERY_SETTING_FAILED

ERROR_STATE_DELETE_SETTING_FAILED

A state setting could not be deleted

ERROR_STATE_DELETE_SETTING_FAILED means the repository could not remove the named value. This is not equivalent to the value already being absent; callers should check the API contract and underlying result.

Investigation

  • Verify the container and exact setting name.
  • Check for concurrent readers, writers, or migration work.
  • Confirm the repository and profile are writable.
  • Inspect storage and State Repository events.

Handling

After a failure, read the value again before deciding whether cleanup is complete. For privacy or credential removal, treat an unverifiable delete as a serious failure and avoid claiming that data was erased.

Security-sensitive deletion

When the value contains credentials, consent, or personal information, verify removal through the same authoritative API. Deleting a cached copy while the persistent record remains is not sufficient.

Idempotent cleanup

Cleanup code should treat a confirmed missing value as success, but it should preserve storage and permission failures. This distinction allows repeated uninstall or reset operations without concealing genuine data-retention problems.

References


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