Removing Windows.old Folders

[PCHomepage]

I'm trying to remove two folders, Windows.old and Windows.old(1), but have been unsuccessful so far. I followed Microsoft's instructions for cleaning the hard drive but the folders remain. I tried the CMD prompt in Administrator mode and ran [bold]RMDIR "C:\Windows.old" /S[/bold] and when that didn't work I tried [bold]DEL /S Windows.old[/bold]. Neither gave errors but the folders remained. Viewing hidden files and folders is enabled and neither seem to have anything other than folders in them - no files at all. Any ideas on how to get rid of these?

 

[linney]

Usually you just use Disk Cleanup to do the job. There are other suggestions in here if that doesn't work for you.



How to remove the Windows.old folder

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-AU/windows-8/how-remove-windows-old-folder

How do I remove windows .old folder

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-au/windows/answers?tId=3c90b626-7763-4096-9d9f-e0979b65916c

How to use the Disk Cleanup feature to delete the Windows.old folder after you install Windows Vista

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/930527/

http://www.microsoft.com/en-au/Search/result.aspx?form=mssupport&q=delete windows.old

 

[PCHomepage]

Disk cleanup did not remove them.

 

[linney]

See the more fanciful suggestions that were also linked to. Try Disk Cleanup from Safe Mode and from a Clean Boot in case other things are interfering with it.



How to start Windows 8 in Safe Mode

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/start-windows-8-in-safe-mode/

How to perform a clean boot in Windows

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135/en-au

How to perform a clean boot to troubleshoot a problem in Windows Vista, Windows 7, or Windows 8

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/929135

 

[PCHomepage]

Thank you and I'll give it a try once I'm back home.

 

[PCHomepage]

Unfortunately neither a clean boot nor booting into Safe Mode made any difference and the folders still do not go away. Anything else?

 

[linney]





How do I gain access to files that Windows says I don’t have permission to access?

http://askleo.com/how_do_i_gain_access_to_files_that_windows_says_i_dont_have_permission_to_access/

How To Take Ownership And Grant Permissions To Access Files & Folders In Windows 8

http://www.addictivetips.com/window...s-folder-and-change-permissions-in-windows-8/

Windows 7 Access Denied: Permission & Ownership

http://www.addictivetips.com/windows-tips/windows-7-access-denied-permission-ownership/

"Access Denied" or other errors when accessing or working with files and folders in Windows:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2623670

HOW TO: Take Ownership of a File or Folder in Windows XP (or Vista or Win 7, Win 8)

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308421/en-us

Add encrypted files (or Bitlocker) to the list of possible reasons for Access Denied.

"Access Denied" or other errors when accessing or working with files and folders in Windows:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2623670

Diagnose and repair Windows File and Folder Problems automatically

http://support.microsoft.com/mats/windows_file_and_folder_diag/

 

[PCHomepage]

No, it's not an Access Denied problem, especially as I can easily change subfolder names and in looking at the permissions I, as the user and administrator, have full access. What the actual error says, paraphrased, is that the innermost subfolder is not empty, yet I see nothing in it. I have the system set to show hidden files so whatever it thinks is there is quite obscure.

By the way, Disk Cleanup does not have the option for Previous Windows Installations(s).

 

[PCHomepage]

It was an awful workaround but I booted to a CentOS 5.6 Live DVD (Linux), mounted the NTFS file system and was then able to delete the folder. Quite a waste of time for something that should have been easy but at least they're gone now.

 

[PCHomepage]

Oddly, this:

Diagnose and repair Windows File and Folder Problems automatically

http://support.microsoft.com/mats/windows_file_and...

. . . tells me that my operating system isn't supported, then it goes on to say which OSes are supported, including mine.