Can't remove Windows.old at all.

I've had this problem since the 1809 update mainly, no matter what I try the folder is left over & states it can't be removed as it is no longer there. I've tried taking ownership & deleting from safe mode, I've even tried

rmdir /S /Q windows.old but all say the folder can't be found.
I've had this previously after upgrading to 1803 where there were remnants after running disc cleanup but deleting in safe mode has worked.



Any help would be appreciated.

Delete Windows.old Folder in Windows 10 | Windows 10 Tutorials

I seem vaguely to remember you asking this before...

It should be deleted automatically 10days after upgrading.

I probably have dalchina, that time I managed to delete it via safe mode.

I used disc cleanup a day or two after the 3rd Oct & I've been trying to get rid of it on & off since then.
I'm concerned that if it doesn't disappear it'll mess things up with 1903/1904 update.

Steve C said:

You probably have a file with permissions problems hiding somewhere in windows.old. I usually boot to the Macrium repair disk in this situation and delete windows.old from the command window.

I always keep a Macrium boot entry so you do not even need a disk in most cases.

jimbo45 said:

Hi there

KYHI disk as well works -- just delete from command mode.

In fact though the standard method should work - it's never failed for me yet

right mouse click on "C" in file explorer -->properties--general->disk cleanup-->system files and select "previous windows installations"




You'll get a warning about "you won't be able to restore a previous version of windows" - but if you've already got say a macrium backup you don't need to worry about it --go ahead --it takes a few minutes.

In my screenshot it says can free 56GB but that's my downloaded files and I have 2 VM machine images.

Cheers
jimbo

This is how I cleaned Win.old after the 3rd Oct update but it left the folder behind which is empty.
Looks like I’ll have to load the Macrium boot disc & try & remove it that way.

Can someone post the exact command I need to use?

Thanks.