win 8 won't let me no matter what I try to do to remove folders from the win8 install.
Old install folder.
I can't remove the regedit file from it.
I think I have to boot Linux and mount a drive to do what I need.

What can I do to fix this besides linux.
Format and go back to windows 7?

How did you get the "old install" folder?

Did you do a refresh or a re-install?

This has been discussed previously:

System Recovery Options - Boot to in Windows 8

I wasn't aware of a refresh.
It was a full re-install.

Originally Posted by foxjazz

win 8 won't let me no matter what I try to do to remove folders from the win8 install.
Old install folder.
I can't remove the regedit file from it.
I think I have to boot Linux and mount a drive to do what I need.

What can I do to fix this besides linux.
Format and go back to windows 7?

Are you joking? what you've done is overwritten Windows 7 with a Pre-Beta stage operating system? you can get rid of the old folder by formatting fully, but for future reference, you should never use a Beta or let alone a Pre-Beta as your main operating system!

I suggest you reinstall your Windows7 first. Then define a new partition into which you install the Win8.

If you have a second internal HDD or an eSata HDD you can define an active primary partition on there and install Win8. Then you can switch between the 2 systems with the BIOS boot order. That would be my preferred solution because the 2 systems are completely independent and do not get into each others hair - e.g. via the common bootmgr.

Originally Posted by whs

I suggest you reinstall your Windows7 first. Then define a new partition into which you install the Win8.

If you have a second internal HDD or an eSata HDD you can define an active primary partition on there and install Win8. Then you can switch between the 2 systems with the BIOS boot order. That would be my preferred solution because the 2 systems are completely independent and do not get into each others hair - e.g. via the common bootmgr.

All of these solutions are nice, but not necessary. It seems windows 8 runs everything I use.
I don't think I need to dual boot, the os works well enough that I am happy to use it.

I am learning the metro app programming, and can't do that very well in win7.

All that said, I still can't figure out how to delete the old windows folder. Nothing I have tried works.

No, not joking. I can do what I want.
It's not like this is my only computer.

Originally Posted by MrNeeds

Originally Posted by foxjazz

win 8 won't let me no matter what I try to do to remove folders from the win8 install.
Old install folder.
I can't remove the regedit file from it.
I think I have to boot Linux and mount a drive to do what I need.

What can I do to fix this besides linux.
Format and go back to windows 7?

Are you joking? what you've done is overwritten Windows 7 with a Pre-Beta stage operating system? you can get rid of the old folder by formatting fully, but for future reference, you should never use a Beta or let alone a Pre-Beta as your main operating system!

Windows.old can be a pain to delete. Is it windows.old you mean? If yes, boot to the recovery command prompt (press F8 repeatedly at boot- troubleshooting options- advanced- command prompt), then navigate to the directory where windows.old is located (normally C: ) and type the following:

rmdir /s /q windows.old

Hit Enter. That should do the trick. If theres a fuss, go back into windows, take ownership of windows.old, then retry the command same way.