Windows 10: Residual windows.old folder despite everything that comes to mind

I managed to attempt to clear windows.old folder after the anniversary update using Disk Cleanup utility of Windows , surprisingly few files remained despite everything , the files were denied of access to delete , remaining files are :
dsquery.dll
Kswdmcap.ax (2x)
i tried File Unlocker / File Assassin , both didn't work
tried Hiren's boot cd still had access denied
tried a Linex boot cd still had access denied !!! (so its not a Microsoft process protecting which)
i did already set ownership to everybody in case that comes to mind
i kind of even get to think this might be a file corruption issue and ran Scan Disk but it came clean

i'm out of ideas ...

any body ?

:)

 

How can I delete the windows.old folder on Windows 10 installation

I would like to delete two residual folders on my Windows 10. The only thing left in them appear to be some browser favorities.

I have tried to use Disk Clean Up / Clean up System Folders, but I don't see the "Remove Old Installations" choice, as the old installation is already cleared away by the looks of. All I have remaining are two folders

windows.old and windows.old(1).

How can I clear these off?

Contents: 0 bytes, 5 Folders in each one.

 

Windows.old folders

In response to Microsoft email checking whether my question was answered.

The question was: How can I delete Windows.old, Windows.old (1) from my (C drive.

After the MS Update of 18 Oct I acquired a Windows.old (2) folder so now have three.

Detailed information can be seen in my previous posts.

I have received replies from Patricia Yu and JimWynne offering various solutions for which I thank them. However despite following their suggestions none of them have worked.

The situation remains the same as in my last reply Oct 26 2017. As I said they do not seem to be affecting performances.

Should this continue after every update I will end up with a lot of Windows.old folders.

It seems the problem is being experienced by many other users as well.

I am in no way technically proficient but to my mind resolving this should not be beyond Microsoft.



TMWG

 

Hello, I can't imagine why you can't delete it especially when not running Windows.
You could try from a command prompt outside Windows (Shift + left click restart, work thru the prompts) realising the drive letters are different, so be careful.

Otherwise I'd suggest a little patience. It should disappear automatically 10 days after you upgraded.

 

I had to use CCleaner to remove residual files left behind after cleanup, these too were undeletable by usually means.

 

I doubt this'll go just like that ...

tried it , and tried the forum windows 10 bootable cd alternative to hiren's , they manage to live , they are like boot viruses , surprisingly made by microsoft !

 

I boot from my parted magic disk and delete them there.

 

There are two utilities in the Sysinternals suite that may be of help here, PendMoves and MoveFile.

https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/...rnals/bb897556

 

I tried deleting them booting from a Linux disk as i stated up but they were still access denied

i used the tool and it still didn't work , funny though i can name the folder windows.old anything i want and yet unable to delete or rename these files .

i am kind of getting to believe this is an ntfs security issue , some advanced permissions set to those files during setup . trustedinstaller user locked them in place or something ...

 

Hi,

First run chkdsk
From an admin command prompt
[Windows key + X, click command prompt (admin)]
chkdsk C: /F
Your PC will need to restart.
Make sure the result is clear or fixed- else do not proceed.
Post back the result, which you can get after a restart as follows:
How do I see the results of a CHKDSK that ran on boot? - Ask Leo!

See cause 3:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/320081

If the chkdsk result is not clear, then you have another problem.

If it is, try deleting the files.

If this doesn't work, then returning to my comment about using a command prompt from outside Windows:
3 Ways to Delete Undeletable Files That You Don’t Know About

Be very careful to be accurate here.

 

You could try running the disk cleaner in admin mode.

 

Same here, run disk cleaner in admin mode few times, tried CCleaner which said 0 bytes cleaned.
This is what's left inside:



It's not big and would probably be able to get rid of it other ways but don't know if it's possibly needed.
Update:
Took ownership and deleted it, consequences unknown.

 

i took it to a guy in our i.t department (f.y.i this is a personal laptop , never used it in our company) , the guy booted into Linux using a boot disk , tried to delete it but it was still Access Denied > so the guy renamed the folder to @Windows.old then booted back to windows > attempted to delete again : the message access denied poped up three times like usual and yet the folder disappeared after

there is only a little problem , he handed it back to me and did not want to explain what the hell was that ... *Mad
any idea peeps ?

 

Have you tried following my #8?

(What are peeps?)

 

People?