Incremental backups create empty directories even if nothing has changed

[rickbking]

I have "ignore empty directories" checked. Also:

create new separated backups
use archive attributes
incremental backup
clear archive attribute
ignore empty directories

What I want to do is not *create* new empty directories for backed up directories when nothing has changed.

I mean, if I run my incremental backup over and over without doing anything else, a new, empty, directory will be created for every directory backed up every time, even if no files have changed. For example:

Quicken 2023-10-06 11;46;20 (Full) <<< complete backup as expected
Quicken 2023-10-06 11;55;46 (Incremental) <<< just changed files as expected
Quicken 2023-10-07 09;32;10 (Incremental) <<< empty, because no files were changed
Quicken 2023-10-07 09;32;36 (Incremental) <<< empty, because no files were changed
etc.

[cobian]

The directorieas are always created. Then deleted if they are found to be empty.

[Grelltonman]

I see the same issue. I don't object to the empty directories, but find that they are not deleted when deleting a full older backup (my setting to keep 2). Non empty directories are deleted properly after the new full backup. Please clarify when these are presumed to be deleted if found empty. Else, this appears to be a bug, not fatal, but highly annoying as empty folders from long ago keep stacking up.

[cobian]

This doesn't work with ftp or sftp backups btw. Should only work with local backups.

[Grelltonman]

This is a local backup. Yes, it "should" work, but it doesn't and has not for quite a while. Running Windows10 Pro. and Reflector as a service. Backing up to W.D. Easystore 1TB. Very much appreciate the program, much zippier than the predecessor which I used for years. Hoping this shortcoming will be addressed at some point, until then will periodically delete manually....

[cobian]

Do you have any post-backup event to put your computer to sleep or to turn it off?

[Grelltonman]

No. A full backup ran just a few hours ago - same behavior, no errors listed, all the deleted folders properly noted in the log, but empty folders neither logged or deleted. Thanks for listening - perfection is just around the corner!

[cobian]

Could you check the permissions of one of the empty folders that weren't deleted?

[Grelltonman]

I compared permissions for empty and non-empty incremental folders - all were identical. Full control was granted for system and administrators.

[cobian]

Is the content of the folders deleted?