Solved Windows 8 not allowing to delete windows.old folder

[Lol]

Hi ,
I installed windows 8 on my laptop. It created temporary folders and also moved my previous windows 7 components to Windows.old folder. I am trying to get rid of this folder as i have limited space on my hard disk. However, the SYSTEM is not allowing that to happen.
Also there is "$WINDOWS.~BT" folder which looks like a temporary folder, but i am not able to remove it as well.

If any one has got rid of them, kindly help

Thanks

 

[SamLewis]

It's not advisable to use Windows 8 as your main OS, what does the error say when you try and delete the folder?

 

[myzr]

Did you try to take ownership of the folder? Try this tutorial.
Take Ownership of file - Vista Forums

 

[Lol]

Well ..was just getting my hands dirty on it. Its not a big deal, i can revert back to 7. It is fun..
The error logging says "you require permission from SYSTEM to make changes to the file Identity-H".
I am not sure how many login profile does this OS creates. Looks like it is another profile. And why is OS referring to files present in Windows.old?

 

[Lol]

How can i open an elevated command prompt in windows 8? I am not able to see the list of application as it used to be in windows 7.

 

[brummyfan]

How can i open an elevated command prompt in windows 8? I am not able to see the list of application as it used to be in windows 7.

Click start, search, on the right side of the screen click Apps then right click cmd select run as admin.

EDIT: after right clicking cmd you have to click Advanced at the bottom right
.

 

[Lol]

Thank you
Finally managed to run elevated command prompt. This metro tile thingy sucks....
Most of the time i clicked on start it took me to tiles menu. Grrrh

 

[Brink]

Hello Lol, and welcome to Eight Forums.

If you have not already got it deleted, the options in the tutorial below for how to do in Windows 7 will still work in Windows 8.

Windows.old Folder - Delete - Windows 7 Forums

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[Lol]

Hi Shawn,

I have just tried to take ownership of folder and delete it. IT didn't work.. Now gonna gv a try to ur suggestion

 

[Lol]

Windows.old Folder - Delete - Windows 7 Forums

First option worked finally ( using Disk clean up utility), however the second one ( Dos command ) didn't work.

Thanks a lot shawn

 

[SamLewis]

Windows.old Folder - Delete - Windows 7 Forums

First option worked finally ( using Disk clean up utility), however the second one ( Dos command ) didn't work.

Thanks a lot shawn

Glad you sorted it !

 

[tabreslin]

Hello Lol, and welcome to Eight Forums.

If you have not already got it deleted, the options in the tutorial below for how to do in Windows 7 will still work in Windows 8.

Windows.old Folder - Delete - Windows 7 Forums

Hope this helps,
Shawn

It worked perfectly for me. Thank you very much. Tried adding some rep but received a pop-up that I needed to spread it around before I could do it again.

In any event, your assistance, and these forums (7 & 8) are very much appreciated.

Ted
Las Vegas, NV

 

[Brink]

You're most welcome Ted. Just knowing that is has helped is thanks enough.

 

[XweAponX]

If all else fails, download "unlocker" and use that to force-delete the folder.