Windows 10: Deleted some system folders. Now Windows won't boot

Discus and support Deleted some system folders. Now Windows won't boot in Windows 10 Installation and Upgrade to solve the problem; Hello, I'm in a bit of a predicament. Would be glad if someone could help me out. I got a Windows Update about a week ago. Due to some circumstances... Discussion in 'Windows 10 Installation and Upgrade' started by aRania1, Mar 29, 2021.

  1. ARANIA1
    aRania1 Win User

    Deleted some system folders. Now Windows won't boot


    Hello, I'm in a bit of a predicament. Would be glad if someone could help me out.


    I got a Windows Update about a week ago. Due to some circumstances I decided to uninstall the update today details aren't relevant here. However, it kept showing an error while trying to uninstall the update.



    So I foolishly followed the advice of some online articles, and deleted the 'catroot' folder in system32 and the 'Software Distribution' folder in Windows folder. They said that this would uninstall the update automatically, but now my Windows won't even boot! It's stuck on a screen saying "Your PC ran into a problem and needs to restart." I've tried Automatic Repair but it won't work.


    How do I fix this? I've obviously bitten off more than I can chew, and won't be tinkering with things I don't understand anymore. Now could anyone help me fix this?

    :)
     
    aRania1, Mar 29, 2021
    #1
  2. OLI_RAMSAY
    oli_ramsay Win User

    Trouble deleting a folder

    Thanks for the suggestion but it says "delete folder failed for E:\....." for each folder I try.

    *Confused Deleted some system folders. Now Windows won't boot :confused:

    Will I be forever stuck with these unnecessary folders? *Oh Well Deleted some system folders. Now Windows won't boot :eek:hwell:
     
    oli_ramsay, Mar 29, 2021
    #2
  3. R9
    r9 Win User
    Trouble deleting a folder

    Download norton commander for windows and try it. I`m using it for deleting those autorun.inf virus files that stuck to the USB drives or second non system partition. If no file is used from windows folder NC should erase it easy. And there is Hiren`s boot disk that you can download it is bootable and has volkov commander on it similar to NC and it runs in DOS and it will delete windows folder 100%. Or you can make USB stick bootable and use deltree command.
     
    r9, Mar 29, 2021
    #3
  4. TOPGUNDCP
    topgundcp Win User

    Deleted some system folders. Now Windows won't boot

    Unable to delete a folder - Invalid folder name


    Suggestion:
    1. Run chkdsk x: /r to make sure that there's no HD corruption.
      x: is the drive containing the folder you want to delete.
    2. Try to delete the folder again. If still does not work, go to step 3.
    3. Download: Download - Linux Mint and create a bootable USB using: Rufus - Create bootable USB
    4. Boot up with Linux Mint and try to delete the folder again.
      NOTE: Unlike WinPE. Linux does not have any Windows permission imposed to it so it is easier to delete.
     
    topgundcp, Mar 29, 2021
    #4
Thema:

Deleted some system folders. Now Windows won't boot

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