Windows.old - can't delete?

slipd · 25 Apr 2017 at 22:12

Hey guys,

As above. Since Creator's update I've been unable to remove the remnants of the Windows.old folder on my C: drive. I think I got rid of most of it through Disk Cleanup. I have about 15mb left to clear now :rolleyes:

It's no biggie, just a bit annoying! When I try to delete Windows tells me the folder is still in use.

Ideas?

hornetstinger · 25 Apr 2017 at 22:13

Delete it when you boot with linux live cd.

slipd · 25 Apr 2017 at 22:14

Something like this?

https://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2527-windows-old-folder-delete-windows-8-a.html - option 3?

hornetstinger · 25 Apr 2017 at 22:23

nah

https://www.ubuntu.com/

Also you can go into \temp and other user\temp folders and remove crap windows does not.

bledd · 26 Apr 2017 at 12:39

No need for Linux, take ownership of the folder and do Delete it.

Windows Disk Cleanup might do it for you too.

Aka-Matt · 26 Apr 2017 at 13:09

As mentioned by bledd, you should be able to fire up disk cleanup and remove the old windows files. Once disk cleanup initialises on screen, there should be a system related button which will then rescan the disk and add the old windows installation files to the list as options to remove.

demonix · 26 Apr 2017 at 15:29

Are the remaining files linked to cortana?

If they are, then kill cortana and you should be able to get the remaining files and the folder removed.

Glaucus · 26 Apr 2017 at 19:06

Aka-Matt said:
As mentioned by bledd, you should be able to fire up disk cleanup and remove the old windows files. Once disk cleanup initialises on screen, there should be a system related button which will then rescan the disk and add the old windows installation files to the list as options to remove.

This, no need for any of this Linux or taking ownership nonsense

SilverTongue · 26 Apr 2017 at 19:35

Aka-Matt said:
As mentioned by bledd, you should be able to fire up disk cleanup and remove the old windows files. Once disk cleanup initialises on screen, there should be a system related button which will then rescan the disk and add the old windows installation files to the list as options to remove.

Glaucus said:
This, no need for any of this Linux or taking ownership nonsense

Need to run as administrator for it to pick up Windows.old

bledd · 26 Apr 2017 at 21:24

Glaucus said:
This, no need for any of this Linux or taking ownership nonsense

I have seen Windows somehow break the permissions on this folder, so a take ownership was necessary.

Try disk cleanup first though.

BlizzardX · 27 Apr 2017 at 22:35

disk cleanup with admin rights to system files should present windows.old for delete as htis is due to the windows upgrade roll back to previous versions.