diff --git a/readmeai/preprocessor/directory_cleaner.py b/readmeai/preprocessor/directory_cleaner.py
index c2b7e061..6faf2d34 100644
--- a/readmeai/preprocessor/directory_cleaner.py
+++ b/readmeai/preprocessor/directory_cleaner.py
@@ -13,6 +13,27 @@ async def remove_directory(path: Path) -> None:
         await asyncio.to_thread(shutil.rmtree, path, ignore_errors=True)
 
 
+def onerror(func, path, exc_info):
+    """
+    Error handler for ``shutil.rmtree``.
+
+    Windows may experience an access error when a file is labeled "read
+    only". In this instance, the function will attempt to add write
+    permissions and then retry the function. If the error persists or raises
+    for another reason, the original error gets re-raised.
+
+    Usage: ``shutil.rmtree(path, onerror=onerror)``
+    """
+    import stat
+
+    # Is the error an access error?
+    if not os.access(path, os.W_OK):
+        os.chmod(path, stat.S_IWUSR)
+        func(path)
+    else:
+        raise
+
+
 async def remove_hidden_contents(directory: Path) -> None:
     """Remove hidden files and directories from a specified directory."""
     for item in directory.iterdir():
@@ -20,6 +41,6 @@ async def remove_hidden_contents(directory: Path) -> None:
             continue
         if item.name.startswith("."):
             if item.is_dir():
-                shutil.rmtree(item)
+                shutil.rmtree(item, onerror=onerror)
             else:
                 item.unlink()