Deleting Old Folders/Directories

[Ross M. Greenberg]

Quite a while ago, I lost my Vista installation due to some errant program and the lousy installation/removal program it had.

As per Microsoft's advice, I recovered all I could off some backups and stuck that in a directory called "Windows.old"

It's a few years later now and Vista is considerably more stable. I've had no problem whatsoever with Vista -- knock wood!

Since I don't use that directory for anything at this point, having taken everything worthwhile out of it already, I figured now was a great time to delete it (it's taking up about 20 GB)

when I go to delete it Vista tells me that files in that directory, such as in "Windows.old/Windows" are in use. Huh?

Would it be safe for me to force a delete on that directory anyway or is this risky?

Ross

 

[Lisa]

Did you use Disk Cleanup to delete these files? There should be a
Windows.old option.

Quite a while ago, I lost my Vista installation due to some errant program
and the lousy installation/removal program it had.

As per Microsoft's advice, I recovered all I could off some backups and
stuck that in a directory called "Windows.old"

It's a few years later now and Vista is considerably more stable. I've had
no problem whatsoever with Vista -- knock wood!

Since I don't use that directory for anything at this point, having taken
everything worthwhile out of it already, I figured now was a great time to
delete it (it's taking up about 20 GB)

when I go to delete it Vista tells me that files in that directory, such as
in "Windows.old/Windows" are in use. Huh?

Would it be safe for me to force a delete on that directory anyway or is
this risky?

Ross

 

[Ross M. Greenberg]

Did you use Disk Cleanup to delete these files? There should be a
Windows.old option.

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

I want to retain the ability of booting into Windows XP (this is a dual-boot system) does Disk Cleanup kill the boot or just the Windows old directory?

 

[Lisa]

It just deletes the old programs and files. You will not lose your
dual-booting ability.

Did you use Disk Cleanup to delete these files? There should be a
Windows.old option.

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

I want to retain the ability of booting into Windows XP (this is a dual-boot
system) does Disk Cleanup kill the boot or just the Windows old directory?

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

You should be able to simply rename the folder and then delete it if needed.
If you get an access denied message it just means you need to take ownership
of the folder first, but I doubt you will see that.

Did you use Disk Cleanup to delete these files? There should be a
Windows.old option.

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

I want to retain the ability of booting into Windows XP (this is a dual-boot
system) does Disk Cleanup kill the boot or just the Windows old directory?

 

[Ross M. Greenberg]

You should be able to simply rename the folder and then delete it if needed.
If you get an access denied message it just means you need to take ownership
of the folder first, but I doubt you will see that.

Still no luck: I did no problem renaming Windows.old to W. old, nor renaming its internal Windows directory to W.indows, then taking ownership through a right-click/properties/security and allowing full access. Yet when I try to delete either of the two directories I get a series of access denied modal boxes.

Persistent -- and annoying -- little bugger! Now what?

Ross

PS: maybe I should try this in Safe Mode?

 

[Ross M. Greenberg]

And I tried in Safe Mode: same non-results...