| Previous | Next |
| ERROR_DS_RECALCSCHEMA_FAILED | ERROR_DS_CANT_DELETE |
ERROR_DS_TREE_DELETE_NOT_FINISHED
Recursive tree deletion requires another continuation pass
Active Directory tree delete is a special Delete mode requested with LDAP_SERVER_TREE_DELETE_OID. MS-ADTS processes the subtree from leaf entries toward the root. The protocol documentation also defines bounded tree-delete behavior through related controls, so a large removal can complete only part of the work in one pass.
This status should not be treated as proof that the directory ignored the request. Re-enumerate the remaining subtree on the same DC and continue according to the API or control contract. Because some descendants may already be deleted, a rollback assumption is dangerous. Preserve the original root DN and audit which objects remain before issuing unrelated cleanup operations.
What to inspect
- Enumerate remaining descendants after the partial tree-delete pass.
- Repeat the documented continuation flow instead of switching to plain parent Delete.
- Record access-denied or protected objects that can prevent eventual completion.
References
- MS-ADTS: tree-delete operation
- MS-ADTS: LDAP extended controls supported by Active Directory
- MS-ADTS: Active Directory Delete operation
Looking for a different code? Search another status or error code.