How do I delete old Windows folders???

Page 2 of 4 FirstFirst 1234 LastLast

  1. Posts : 12,799
    Windows 11 Pro
       #11
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 31,480
    10 Home x64 (22H2) (10 Pro on 2nd pc)
       #12

    essenbe said:
    If you read the subsequent 13 pages of replies in that tutorial you will find a small number of people reported the same problem as here - some files cannot be deleted by the methods in the tutorial because they are in use. See post #120 where the offered solution was to disable a particular device in Device Manager and post #124 that confirmed that this worked, here:
    https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/2...tml#post793493
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 12,799
    Windows 11 Pro
       #13

    Bree said:
    If you read the subsequent 13 pages of replies in that tutorial you will find a small number of people reported the same problem as here - some files cannot be deleted by the methods in the tutorial because they are in use. See post #120 where the offered solution was to disable a particular device in Device Manager and post #124 that confirmed that this worked, here:
    https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/2...tml#post793493
    So, your solution is don't even try?
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 31,480
    10 Home x64 (22H2) (10 Pro on 2nd pc)
       #14

    essenbe said:
    So, your solution is don't even try?
    No, by all means try the methods in the tutorial, 99% of the time they work as MS designed them to. It's just that on a few occasions they have been reported to have failed on one or more files. Then one solution would be to track down the file (often a driver) that's in use in the windows.old, locate the device in Device Manager that loads it and disable it. After that Disk Clean-up (or even just File Explorer) should be able to delete it.

    The real solution would be to sort out why on earth windows is still loading a driver that it has previously consigned a folder specifically designed for archiving an old system you're not supposed to be using any more!
      My Computers


  5. Posts : 12,799
    Windows 11 Pro
       #15

    The driver is usually the Intel Display Audio driver. Disable it in Device manager, take ownership of the Files, delete them, clean out the Recycle bin and re enable the driver in Device manager. Or, you should be able to Take ownership and delete them in safe mode and empty the recycle bin.

    We still haven't heard back from the OP, and until that happens we can't accomplish very much.

    As for why it works that way, I have no idea. Microsoft would be the the only one who does, as far as I know.

    How do I delete old Windows folders???-windows.old-removal.png
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 69
    Windows 10 Professional
    Thread Starter
       #16

    Here's what I have done:
    1. renamed them
    2. tried many times to delete them (or some of them).
    3. removed "trusted installer" as the owner and gave it to me
    4. placed my user id and "users" as the only two that could do anything with the folders and given both all functions.

    I do not remember what the folder names are and who had what permissions! This is where I am at. Please see above!
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 12,799
    Windows 11 Pro
       #17

    Please try the options in this tutorial Windows.old Folder - Delete in Windows 10 - Windows 10 Forums

    If that does not work. This is how to take ownership of files Take Ownership - Add to Context Menu in Windows 10 - Windows 10 Forums. Then Try what is posted in Post # 15 above.

    1. Go to device manager and disable the Intel(R) Display Audio Driver, if you have it.

    2. Go to the Windows.old folder and take ownership

    3 Delete the Folder.

    4 Empty the Recycle Bin.

    5. Go back to Device Manager and enable the same driver you disabled.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 69
    Windows 10 Professional
    Thread Starter
       #18

    Okay option 2 kind of worked. I ran
    ==> attrib -r -a -s -h c:\windows.old /s /d AND
    ==> rd /s /q %SystemDrive%\windows.old
    the 1st command worked fine and the 2nd gave 100k+ of access denied
    Then, I ran Disk Cleanup which had not done anything before. Then I ran "Clean up System Files" which also had done nothing before.

    And now this time "Clean up System Files" deleted one of the folders. HIP, HIP HOORAY!
    Then I renamed the other folder windows.old and ran "Clean up System Files" and it deleted the 20 Gig folder. WOW!!!!!
    Thanks Kind sir, THANKS
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 12,799
    Windows 11 Pro
       #19

    theaudioanalyst said:
    Okay option 2 kind of worked. I ran
    ==> attrib -r -a -s -h c:\windows.old /s /d AND
    ==> rd /s /q %SystemDrive%\windows.old
    the 1st command worked fine and the 2nd gave 100k+ of access denied
    Then, I ran Disk Cleanup which had not done anything before. Then I ran "Clean up System Files" which also had done nothing before.

    And now this time "Clean up System Files" deleted one of the folders. HIP, HIP HOORAY!
    Then I renamed the other folder windows.old and ran "Clean up System Files" and it deleted the 20 Gig folder. WOW!!!!!
    Thanks Kind sir, THANKS
    You're quite welcome. I am happy things worked for you.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 9,766
    Mac OS Catalina
       #20

    Sometimes going old school does the trick.
      My Computer


 

  Related Discussions
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 10 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 10" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

© Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 18:07.
Find Us




Windows 10 Forums