Windows 10: Can't remove folders from old install of windows

Discus and support Can't remove folders from old install of windows in Windows 10 Network and Sharing to solve the problem; I had to reinstall windows and now I have folders from my last install of windows I cant remove. These folders I had games from game pass installed to... Discussion in 'Windows 10 Network and Sharing' started by Termanater13, Dec 26, 2020.

  1. Can't remove folders from old install of windows


    I had to reinstall windows and now I have folders from my last install of windows I cant remove. These folders I had games from game pass installed to and cant remove that folder now. how do I remove this folder without formatting the drive? The amount of data I have to transfer makes it really hard vs the amount free on my other drives.

    :)
     
    Termanater13, Dec 26, 2020
    #1
  2. Anusha Win User

    C windows installer folder - Delete?

    He can do symbolic link redirection and move the files in it to a different location. *Wink Can't remove folders from old install of windows ;)
    Better try it out in a virtual of first. Just a suggestion.

    Like:
    First move everything in c:\windows\installer to d:\installercache
    Then delete c:\windows\installer folder
    Then type this in command mode as admin
    mklink /d c:\windows\installer d:\installercache

    Removing those installer files is a bad idea. it might prevent you from updating or uninstalling apps.
     
    Anusha, Dec 26, 2020
    #2
  3. Removing Windows.old folder

    I recently had to reinstall my OS (don't ask). Once I did there were files that I couldn't delete. Basically SecuROM files. Anyway long story short I found this workaround that I wanted to share with my fellow newbs. This will work for any file and works like a charm. Just follow the directions. *Toast :toast:
    Note: there is no space between "Administrators: (F)" I just had to but one in because it kept giving me an "unhappy face"

    When installing Windows Vista, Windows stores any existing installation of Windows on the install partition inside a hidden folder called windows.old. This folder could take up a large amount of disk space.

    Note: Please check the contents of the windows.old folder before deleting it to make sure there are no files stored there that you may wish to keep.

    Deleting the window.old folder using the disk cleanup wizard
    Click start
    Type: disk cleanup
    Press enter
    Select "Files from all users on this computer"
    Follow the rest of the instructions listed on the wizard and select the option to delete the windows.old folder
    Deleting the windows.old folder manually
    1) Open an elevated command prompt

    Click start
    Type: cmd
    right-click it under programs
    click Run As Administrator
    2) Take ownership


    Change the directory to the windows.old folder (e.g. cd c:\windows.old)
    Type: takeown /F . /A /R /D Y > NUL
    3) grant yourself permission

    Type: icacls . /grant:r Administrators: (F) /T /L /Q
    4) Delete everything

    Make sure you close any explorer or command windows that are looking at or inside the windows.old folder (except for the command window you are using). If you don't, you will receive an error while performing this step.

    Type: cd ..
    Type: rmdir /S /Q windows.old
     
    TheMailMan78, Dec 26, 2020
    #3
  4. Can't remove folders from old install of windows

    windows xp installation and dual core am

    could someone please list the steps they follow to install windows with a dual core processor and windows xp service pack to. I'm reletively new to amd dual core and i feel i'm missing a step. All help will be appreciated. thanx
     
    exodusprime1337, Dec 26, 2020
    #4
Thema:

Can't remove folders from old install of windows

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