Cannot delete the Windows.old folder

tech4guru · 07-03-2009, 09:51 AM

After re-installing my Windows Vista Ultimate OS, I found that in C:\ driver there is one folder called Windows.old. I know that it contains previous OS installation files. I am logged in as Administrator. When I tried to delete that folder, an UAC window pops-up. So, I clicked on Continue. Then, I got the error message as “You do not have the permission to do this. Windows.old folder cannot be deleted”. I have logged in as Administrator, but still I am getting the error. How can I resolve this error?

ittech · 07-03-2009, 09:56 AM

Click on Start and type cmd in the Search box and hit SHIFT+CTRL+ENTER to run the Command Prompt as Administrator. Then, type the below command and hit Enter:

del C:\Windows.old

Then, type Exit to close the Command Prompt. Then, check whether the folder is deleted or not. If not then, open the Windows.old folder. Then, manually delete all the folder and files inside the Windows.old folder and then try to delete the Windows.old folder.

07-03-2009, 09:51 AM	#1 (permalink)
tech4guru Status: Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 57	Cannot delete the Windows.old folder After re-installing my Windows Vista Ultimate OS, I found that in C:\ driver there is one folder called Windows.old. I know that it contains previous OS installation files. I am logged in as Administrator. When I tried to delete that folder, an UAC window pops-up. So, I clicked on Continue. Then, I got the error message as “You do not have the permission to do this. Windows.old folder cannot be deleted”. I have logged in as Administrator, but still I am getting the error. How can I resolve this error?

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07-03-2009, 09:56 AM	#2 (permalink)
ittech Status: Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 779	Click on Start and type cmd in the Search box and hit SHIFT+CTRL+ENTER to run the Command Prompt as Administrator. Then, type the below command and hit Enter: del C:\Windows.old Then, type Exit to close the Command Prompt. Then, check whether the folder is deleted or not. If not then, open the Windows.old folder. Then, manually delete all the folder and files inside the Windows.old folder and then try to delete the Windows.old folder.