How to Delete Windows.old and $Windows.~BT folders in Windows 10  

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  1. Posts : 12
    windows 7, 8, 10, various linux flavors (in VirtualBox)
       #10

    Charlie said:
    I saw somewhere that the program called ccleaner by pinfore would clean up old windows system files
    Love that program! Always one of the first programs I install on new systems and one that I run regularly. Alas, in this case all it can get back is about 30MB.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 12
    windows 7, 8, 10, various linux flavors (in VirtualBox)
       #11

    f14tomcat said:
    Can you post, please, the exact way you are running cleanmgr?
    From the Administrative Tools menu after searching for it in the Start screen. Not only is there no checkbox, but now I notice no "Cleanup System Files" button either.

    When I "Run" cleanmgr it the button appears, as does the checkbox; over 5GB freed! Cleanmgr must have some "better" rights when run that way.

    Maybe an update to the steps might be prudent, and many thanks..

    --Al--
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 56,806
    Multi-boot Windows 10/11 - RTM, RP, Beta, and Insider
       #12

    extreme said:
    From the Administrative Tools menu after searching for it in the Start screen. Not only is there no checkbox, but now I notice no "Cleanup System Files" button either.

    When I "Run" cleanmgr it the button appears, as does the checkbox; over 5GB freed! Cleanmgr must have some "better" rights when run that way.

    Maybe an update to the steps might be prudent, and many thanks..

    --Al--
    Here's a simple way:

    1. Go to My PC
    2. Right-click the C: drive to get the context menu
    3. Left-click Properties
    4. Left-click the "Disk Cleanup" box

    It will start calculating and display the Disk Cleanup window, with some items checked.

    5. Left-click "Cleanup system files"

    It will recalculate and display the Disk Cleanup window again.

    Check off any items you want to delete and click OK.
    Answer "Yes" to the confirmation screen.

    It will display a cleaning-up progress screen.

    All done!

    Note: the "More Options" tab at the top of "Disk Cleanup" is best left alone for now. :)
      My Computers


  4. Posts : 68,668
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #13

    extreme said:
    From the Administrative Tools menu after searching for it in the Start screen. Not only is there no checkbox, but now I notice no "Cleanup System Files" button either.

    When I "Run" cleanmgr it the button appears, as does the checkbox; over 5GB freed! Cleanmgr must have some "better" rights when run that way.

    Maybe an update to the steps might be prudent, and many thanks..

    --Al--
    Hello Al,

    Please post some screenshots showing step by step what you see versus what's in the tutorial to see what the issue may be. :)

    Screenshots and Files - Upload and Post in Ten Forums - Windows 10 Forums
      My Computers


  5. whs
    Posts : 1,935
    Windows 7
       #14

    Charlie said:
    Attachment 16347I
    saw somewhere that the program called ccleaner by pinfore would clean up old windows system files
    It does indeed. That is Option 4 and the easiest option.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 1,625
    W7 Pro x64 | W10 IP x64 | Linux Mint VM
       #15

    I'm going to have to give CCleaner a go I think as this ASUS Probe folder just won't go away.

    How to Delete Windows.old and $Windows.~BT folders in Windows 10-capture.png

    How to Delete Windows.old and $Windows.~BT folders in Windows 10-capture-2.png

    Thing is I never installed ASUS probe, only the fan control option of AI Suite III. I suppose it can all be sorted through a clean install but why that's locked is really bugging me.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 1
    Windows 10
       #16

    Boozad said:
    I'm going to have to give CCleaner a go I think as this ASUS Probe folder just won't go away.

    How to Delete Windows.old and $Windows.~BT folders in Windows 10-capture.png

    How to Delete Windows.old and $Windows.~BT folders in Windows 10-capture-2.png

    Thing is I never installed ASUS probe, only the fan control option of AI Suite III. I suppose it can all be sorted through a clean install but why that's locked is really bugging me.

    I had this problem, just used this to change ownership of it https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/3...dows-10-a.html
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 1,625
    W7 Pro x64 | W10 IP x64 | Linux Mint VM
       #17

    Much appreciated, I'm having the same problem in 10162 only it's the Windows Telemetry that's buggering things up this time. I'll give that a go.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 158
    10 Home x64 v22H2
       #18

    Thanks for this tutorial, but this only seemed to partially delete this folder. I've tried all options, and only the first couple have made a difference. When I tried the second option, it would say 'access denied' for a lot of files. The third option would just say "This folder isn't empty." I've made a thread of this issue if you need more information, but how would I bypass this?
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 1,625
    W7 Pro x64 | W10 IP x64 | Linux Mint VM
       #19

    I ran Disk Cleanup a few times and finally my stubborn folders gave in and Windows.old disappeared without my even knowing, I checked this morning and it was gone (it had been there a while from when I upgraded to the RTM build from the last Insider build). A couple of reboots and another couple of rounds of Disk Cleanup may do the trick.
      My Computer


 

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