Windows 10: system restore does not work. what is in Windows.ws-WS hidden folder

My system drive is full and Storage Sense cannot find Windows.old although there is a hidden folder Windows.ws-WS. Is this where windows old files reside now?

:)

 

Restore $Windows.~WS after deleting it?

Making a desperate effort to get past the notorious Code 80240020 failure which prevents the installation of Windows 10, I deleted folder $Windows.~WS (not a completely random act
- I saw it suggested in a Forum which I can't now find again).

Up to the date when I deleted $Windows.~WS, Windows Update had tried to install Windows 10 every day, and failed with Code 80240020. Since that date, with $Windows.~WS missing, it has stopped even trying!

Maybe if I could restore $Windows.~WS, Windows Update would try again to Install Windows 10? I can't try that approach because I didn't back up
$Windows.~WS

Does anyone know a way to force Windows Update to again download
$Windows.~WS to my PC? I'm currently on Windows 8.1

Thanks!

 

Can't delete $Windows.~WS

Hi,

This folder is created by Windows, during the upgrade process and you may delete this folder.

Some times this will create an error when trying to delete this folder and I suggest you to restart the computer, sign in with Administrator account and follow the below steps again:

Right-click on Start button to open the Win X Menu. Select Command Prompt (Admin).

Now copy-paste the following and hit Enter to delete the contents of $Windows.~WS directory

takeown /F C:\$Windows.~WS\* /R /A

icacls C:\$Windows.~WS\*.* /T /grant administrators:F

rmdir /S /Q C:\$Windows.~WS\

Hope the information helps in resolving the issue. Let us know if you need further assistance. We will be happy to help.

Thank you.

 

What is $windows.~WS???

Once a PC is upgraded to Windows 10, can the $Windows.~WS folder be deleted? It takes up 4.4GB.