F5F Stay Refreshed Hardware Desktop Windows.old attempts to delete it, but the process is difficult.

Windows.old attempts to delete it, but the process is difficult.

Windows.old attempts to delete it, but the process is difficult.

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Crackalack
Member
161
02-02-2020, 05:19 AM
#1
I attempted to delete my windows.old due to excessive storage usage. Initially it showed "Scanned" in Diskcleanup or under Windows Settings, so I claimed ownership of the files and moved them to the Trash but they remain. It feels like residual data, similar to "ghost files." I verified with Wiztree and it’s still present. My system specs are: Windows 10 Pro 64 bit, X570 Aorus Elite, AMD Ryzen 5 5600X, 2x8GB Corsair RAM, GTX 1080 Ti.
C
Crackalack
02-02-2020, 05:19 AM #1

I attempted to delete my windows.old due to excessive storage usage. Initially it showed "Scanned" in Diskcleanup or under Windows Settings, so I claimed ownership of the files and moved them to the Trash but they remain. It feels like residual data, similar to "ghost files." I verified with Wiztree and it’s still present. My system specs are: Windows 10 Pro 64 bit, X570 Aorus Elite, AMD Ryzen 5 5600X, 2x8GB Corsair RAM, GTX 1080 Ti.

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bennyplaymc
Member
136
02-02-2020, 10:21 AM
#2
It's tricky since you attempted to eliminate it in a convoluted manner. From Microsoft:
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bennyplaymc
02-02-2020, 10:21 AM #2

It's tricky since you attempted to eliminate it in a convoluted manner. From Microsoft:

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166
02-02-2020, 11:48 PM
#3
I attempted that and it did appear in the temp files section.
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LifelessShadow
02-02-2020, 11:48 PM #3

I attempted that and it did appear in the temp files section.

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Voorbips
Member
63
02-03-2020, 12:13 AM
#4
Yes, you have admin access.
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Voorbips
02-03-2020, 12:13 AM #4

Yes, you have admin access.

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144
02-03-2020, 04:53 AM
#5
Yes
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Hearth_PvP_God
02-03-2020, 04:53 AM #5

Yes

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MrLegal
Member
170
02-04-2020, 06:24 PM
#6
I understand the two methods you're referring to: Diskclean Up or managing temporary files via settings. There might be an option using CMD, but only while the system is on the local drive.
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MrLegal
02-04-2020, 06:24 PM #6

I understand the two methods you're referring to: Diskclean Up or managing temporary files via settings. There might be an option using CMD, but only while the system is on the local drive.

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MARCEAU973
Junior Member
34
02-06-2020, 05:29 AM
#7
Run the built-in disk cleanup tool, choosing previous installations. The name varies by language in the menu, but you’ll locate it at %windir%\system32\cleanmgr.exe. Mark all options and clear everything—usually a few GB’s. Exercise caution, as older versions in Windows 10 and earlier would delete the Downloads folder by default. This behavior has changed; if you wish to retain files, uncheck the corresponding option.
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MARCEAU973
02-06-2020, 05:29 AM #7

Run the built-in disk cleanup tool, choosing previous installations. The name varies by language in the menu, but you’ll locate it at %windir%\system32\cleanmgr.exe. Mark all options and clear everything—usually a few GB’s. Exercise caution, as older versions in Windows 10 and earlier would delete the Downloads folder by default. This behavior has changed; if you wish to retain files, uncheck the corresponding option.

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MemerTheLemur
Junior Member
39
02-07-2020, 10:18 AM
#8
I mentioned it before, but it doesn’t get scanned and therefore doesn’t appear. I looked for other options.
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MemerTheLemur
02-07-2020, 10:18 AM #8

I mentioned it before, but it doesn’t get scanned and therefore doesn’t appear. I looked for other options.

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CoolCow247
Member
105
02-07-2020, 10:45 AM
#9
It looks like there’s a permissions issue with the files. They remain because another user owns them. The best approach is to log in as that user, clear the recycle bin, and then take control. If you can’t do that, proceed by claiming ownership, granting rights, removing hidden attributes, and finally deleting the folder. Windows will automatically create a new one after deletion. Make sure all files are owned before attempting further steps.
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CoolCow247
02-07-2020, 10:45 AM #9

It looks like there’s a permissions issue with the files. They remain because another user owns them. The best approach is to log in as that user, clear the recycle bin, and then take control. If you can’t do that, proceed by claiming ownership, granting rights, removing hidden attributes, and finally deleting the folder. Windows will automatically create a new one after deletion. Make sure all files are owned before attempting further steps.

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stormstar200
Member
67
02-07-2020, 06:22 PM
#10
Der Befehl wurde mehrfach ausgeführt und reduziert sich auf 8,2 GB. In CMD wurde eine Zugriffsverweigerung angezeigt, aber Fortschritte wurden gemacht. Nebenbei benötigte ich deutsche Befehle, die ich größtenteils verstanden habe.
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stormstar200
02-07-2020, 06:22 PM #10

Der Befehl wurde mehrfach ausgeführt und reduziert sich auf 8,2 GB. In CMD wurde eine Zugriffsverweigerung angezeigt, aber Fortschritte wurden gemacht. Nebenbei benötigte ich deutsche Befehle, die ich größtenteils verstanden habe.