$Windows.~BT New OS directory - Can't delete


  1. KLund1
    Posts : 43
    win 10 x64
       New #1

    $Windows.~BT New OS directory - Can't delete


    My win 10, WinSider PC, seems to have downloaded Win 11 in the Windows.~BT folder. It takes about 15GB of space. I want it gone. My system hardware (currently) can't use win11, which I think this is. I have tried all the usual methods to remove/delete. None can do it. the directory is protected somehow. I am unable to take control of the directory. I have tried several scripts I found online, and none work. WIn10 disk clean up does not see it. I have added a user to the directory properties as Full User and I still get errors trying to delete it.
    I am a nocie CMD level user. I can copy and paste into a CMD adin window, and click a lot elsewhere. No programmer am I. (I know 8-bit BASIC very well)
    All the things I googled and tried may have made things worse. But my redundantry dos skills do not think I did too much damage.
    I have read and followed many links online to delete this directory. None have been helpful .
    Please send some help. Link, pages, Ideas?
    Thanks in advance!
    KL
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  3. dalchina
    Posts : 42,987
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       New #2

    The problem of protected folders and undeletable items recurs time and again.

    a. Take ownership (see tenforums tutorials)
    b. Delete when Windows isn't running -
    - boot to a command prompt and do it from there. (not a command prompt whilst Windows is running).
    - boot from a Win 10 installation disk to a command prompt and do it from there
    - boot from a Live Boot disk (Google)

    My favourite: excellent free prog
    Emco Unlockit
    - deletes both files and folders on restart if necessary.
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  4. EdTittel
    Posts : 4,224
    Windows 10
       New #3

    As usual, @dalchina gives excellent, spot-on advice. You can also try the command string

    Code:
    rmdir /Q /S <directory-specification>
    Substitute the directory specification as needed, e.g.

    Code:
    rmdir /Q /S C:\$Windows.~BT
    in your specific case. Be sure to do this from an administrative command prompt or PowerShell session.
    HTH,
    --Ed--
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  6. dalchina
    Posts : 42,987
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       New #4

    Thanks Ed..

    There's even a tutorial (feel free to browse and search the Tutorial section): here's what I found for you:
    How to Delete Windows.old and $Windows.~BT folders in Windows 10
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  7. KLund1
    Posts : 43
    win 10 x64
    Thread Starter
       New #5

    Thank you everyone !!
    With all this help and a little trial and error I was able to delete the offending directory.
    I very much appropriate the help and have pinned the tutorial section for future reference.
    again thanks!
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  8. dalchina
    Posts : 42,987
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       New #6

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