Getting rid of windows.old
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Getting rid of old windows folders
I have had a folder called windows.old on my computer for some time now, and everytime i try to delete it, i get a message saying that i need a permission to delete it. I googled this issue, but the only suggestion i could find was to do a disk cleanup. I have done that many times without results.
Solved, the folder deleted itself after updating windows. ✔
Last edited by Cerawy; 17 Apr 2021 at 22:59.
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I have had this folder on my computer for some time now, and everytime i try to delete it, i get a message saying that i need a permission to delete it. I googled this issue, but the only suggestion i could find was to do a disc cleanup. I have done that many times without results.
RE : I have had this folder on my computer for some time now
How long is that "for some time now"?
Unless MS has changed it, your Windows.old will be automatically deleted after...…. 10 days, I think ( used to be 30 days).
RE : i get a message saying that i need a permission to delete it
Assuming you were in admin account. If yes, did you also see a box Continue ? If yes, click it.
RE : the only suggestion i could find was to do a disc cleanup. I have done that many times without results.
Right click at the Windows.old folder > click Open.
It could be just an empty folder.
It could have only a small remnant of files left behind.
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It's been there for several weeks. I get a popup dialog that says i need administrator privileges to delete the folder, if i try to delete it. If i click yes, windows will still refuse to delete it, even if im already signed in with windows own administrator account.
Last edited by Cerawy; 17 Apr 2021 at 23:07.
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Answered in first response. If stuck, use a boot disk or an off-line command prompt - or see the tutorial.
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I have had this folder on my computer for some time now, and everytime i try to delete it, i get a message saying that i need a permission to delete it. I googled this issue, but the only suggestion i could find was to do a disc cleanup. I have done that many times without results.
You sometimes find an incalcitrant file left behind. You need to peruse the folder tree to locate the offending file, change the file permissions probably from a command prompt then you should be able to delete windows.old.
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Its been there for several weeks. Yes, i get a message box that says i need admin privileges to delete the folder, i click yes but windows refuses to delete it.
Have you tried opening the folder to see what's inside ?
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Settings > Storage > Free up space now 
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You sometimes find an incalcitrant file left behind. You need to peruse the folder tree to locate the offending file, change the file permissions probably from a command prompt then you should be able to delete windows.old.
Sorry, but could you clarify a bit what you mean?
Settings > Storage > Free up space now
Do you mean a disk cleanup? I have tried that several times.
Answered in first response. If stuck, use a boot disk or an off-line command prompt.
What should i type in the command prompt, specifically?
Last edited by Cerawy; 18 Apr 2021 at 04:16.
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