PC Reset and Windows.old

OK, I'm pretty new here so I thought I'd ask this question for help. When I reset my PC (I have done 2x) does it use the Recovery Partition or does it (like I've heard) use some folder on WinSXS or something like that? I wanted to remove the 4.50GB Recovery Partition because it's a 32GB SSD my PC has and I currently have 9.50GB free now. Also I am having a problem with fully deleting the Windows.old folders (I have 2, One is 900MB and the other is 250MB) It says I need permission from the SYSTEM to delete.

Word Man said:

Welcome to TenForums, DDroid!

The 4.5 GB recovery partition, at that size, sounds like it's more likely a factory restore partition. Did the laptop (assuming this is machine in "My System Specs") come with win10 installed from factory or older OS? If it came with older, and I am right in that the 4.5 partition is factory restore, you may be better off abandoning that and just using a good imaging program (example - Macrium Reflect Free) to make an externally stored image of your entire disk to rely on as a restore method. It might aid in more specific help for you if you take a screenshot of the Disk Management display on your machine and post it here.

Windows.old is more easily disposed of using the extended mode of the Disk Cleanup Tool. There is a tutorial on that here (see Option One, Step 5, or Option Two): https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/3...dows-10-a.html

Yes, my system had Windows 8.1 Build 9600 originally and updated to Windows 10, but will removing the recovery partition remove the ability to press the "Esc" button and go to the recovery menu? Also do you need an external backup drive (Just Made one) to reset the PC or is that not required?

On getting rid of that windows.old folder, if you still have problems using disk cleaner removing that file, their is another method.
Take a look at this tutorial: https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/3...dows-10-a.html

That will add a new setting to your pull down menu, called Take Ownership. Then just click on the file or folder you want to delete, like Windows.old, take over ownership, then delete. It will be removed. Just a suggestion.

Okay, here are some screenshots. Somehow the Partition has grown from 4.51GB to 4.88GB and another partition at 450MB was also added. Both Partitions have 100% free space (SEE 2nd Screenshot), does that mean there is nothing in the partitions at all? How weird is that! Yes I have extended the Disk Cleanup to clean the "System Files" or "Run As Administrator" in the start menu. Every time I "Clean" the Windows.old it just won't go away (SEE 3rd Screenshot)...

Yup I had the exact same problem with disk cleaner, would not remove some files even thou it was telling me it would. THEN after I did a clean install, one of the 1st things that worked the way its suppose to was Disk Cleaner. Install that Take Ownership to your context menu, read the link I posted in here. Then just go to your windows old folder take control, and delete the file.

OldMike65 said:

On getting rid of that windows.old folder, if you still have problems using disk cleaner removing that file, their is another method.
Take a look at this tutorial: https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/3...dows-10-a.html

That will add a new setting to your pull down menu, called Take Ownership. Then just click on the file or folder you want to delete, like Windows.old, take over ownership, then delete. It will be removed. Just a suggestion.

Or you can just run Disk Cleaner as an Admin. Either way will work.

Gary said:

Or you can just run Disk Cleaner as an Admin. Either way will work.

He tried Gary, didn't work....read his post. :)

OldMike65 said:

Yup I had the exact same problem with disk cleaner, would not remove some files even thou it was telling me it would. THEN after I did a clean install, one of the 1st things that worked the way its suppose to was Disk Cleaner. Install that Take Ownership to your context menu, read the link I posted in here. Then just go to your windows old folder take control, and delete the file.

I have tried taking ownership but it kept saying that the "SYSTEM" is denying me to change owners, I've also read somewhere that if you can't do any of those things it's because the "SYSTEM" is still using Drivers of files from the Windows.old folder(s).