How can I COMPLETELY delete a Windows.old folder?

Question

Okay, I REALLY don't know how to explain this, but here it goes:

Usually what I do, when I'm done using the computer, I shut it off. One night, I think it was last week, I skyped with my buddy. So we finished our skype session and I turned off my computer just as I normally do. The next night, I turned it on and it loaded just as it always does and it finally gets to the Users screen. This is where it goes horribly wrong. My laptop has a fingerprint scanner. So I swiped my finger and it says, "Could not verify fingerprint". So I try again. Same thing. So I decided to just enter my password. And I did, and then it says, "Password is incorrect". Okay... So I try again, thinking I misspelled it. Same thing. After fighting with it for about a good 10-15 minutes, I decide that I must have gotten some virus or someone hacked into my computer and took control of it. First thing I do? I insert the original Windows CD that came with my laptop. Now, this is nothing new, I've done this several times with viruses before... I re-install Windows. I boot the CD and proceed with the installation just like I've done before. Usually what Windows does, it takes my PREVIOUS Windows folder, relabels it "Window.old" and leaves in "My Computer". Once I swap out all my media files (Music, Pictures, Videos, etc., etc...) I delete "Windows.old". 30 gigs of useless stuff, of course I'm gonna delete it.

Now here's the REAL problem. I CAN NOT DELETE THIS FOLDER FOR THE LIFE OF ME NOW. I've tried changing the security settings, I've removed the "Read-Only" setting, heck, I even tried taking OWNERSHIP of the object, and still... NOTHING. It seems like this folder is STILL being shared and I don't know how to remove that access and destroy this folder (at this point if that folder was a PHYSICAL real folder, I would have burned it and burned it again by now...). My concern is growing more and more since I can't find how to remove this folder from my hard drive when I had been able to do so in the past. If anyone can please help me, otherwise I'm left with the only option of RE-re-installing Windows again...

Answer 1

Hi,



The following methods will remove Windows.old or Windows.old.000 folders.



If you have Windows 7 installed do the following: (For Vista or XP scroll down)

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Open Disk Cleanup by clicking the Start button . In the search box, type Disk Cleanup, and then, in the list of results, click Disk Cleanup.



If you're prompted to choose a drive, click the drive you just installed Windows on, and then click OK.



In the Disk Cleanup dialog box, on the Disk Cleanup tab, click Clean up system files.



If you're again prompted to choose a drive, click the drive you just installed Windows on, and then click OK.



Select the Previous Windows installation(s) check box, and any other check boxes for the files you want to delete, and then click OK.



In the message that appears, click Delete Files.



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For Windows Vista & XP do the following:

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Click Start, type disk cleanup in the Start Search text box, and then click Disk Cleanup.



In the Disk Cleanup Options dialog box, click Files from all users on this computer.



In the User Account Control dialog box, click Continue.



Click to select the Previous Windows installation(s) check box, and then click OK.



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Alternatively, you can use the Command Window by doing the following:

=======================================================



Click Start, click All Programs, click Accessories, right-click Command Prompt, and then click Run as administrator.



In the User Account Control dialog box, click Continue.



At the command prompt, type:



  takeown /F :\\* /R /A



  press ENTER.



Note!!!  When you run this command, you are granted ownership of the administrator group for the folder, of all the subdirectories in the folder, and of all the files in the folder.



At the command prompt, type:



  cacls :\\*.* /T /grant administrators:F



  press ENTER



Note!!!   When you run this command, administrators are granted full rights to all files and to all folders.



At the command prompt, type:



  rmdir /S /Q :\\



  press ENTER



Note!!!   When you run this command, all subfolders and all files in the specified folder are deleted. Additionally, the specified folder itself is deleted.





Regards,



Javalad

Answer 2

Deleting Windows.old

Answer 3

Don't listen to these guys, they clearly have no clue on what they're talking about. I am a developer at Microsoft so I know a thing or two about computers. The only way to reset your windows password 100% safe is to use a software called Reset Password Pro.



The software allows you to create a boot-disk, that can be made on a CD/DVD or USB stick. The boot-disk can then be inserted into any locked machine, and it's a simple case of pressing reset. Here is their official site: http://www.resetwindowspass.com

Answer 4

This Site Might Help You.



RE:

How can I COMPLETELY delete a Windows.old folder?

Okay, I REALLY don't know how to explain this, but here it goes:



Usually what I do, when I'm done using the computer, I shut it off. One night, I think it was last week, I skyped with my buddy. So we finished our skype session and I turned off my computer just as I normally do. The next...

Answer 5

The problem persists in Windows 8 and there are additional tricks Microsoft has ensured happen.



You will regret Windows 8.



STAY WITH XP AND WINDOWS 7

or

Try LinuxMint 16

0r

LinuxMint 17 (May 2014)



BRILLIANT and FREE.

Answer 6

Restart your computer in Safe Mode and then try deleting that folder.



If then too, the problem persists, mail to me at [e-mail]. I'll tell another remedy.



-

GoTo Guy

http://i-tech-freak.blogspot.com

Answer 7

Erm. from what i can tell you want to re-install it again anyway because that is what your suggesting and have been doing in the past.



Only think im going to suggest is to get your media / important files and store them somewhere and simply format C:\ drive so it gets rid of everything and re-install Windows

Answer 8

completely delete windowsfolder