Cannot delete directory

[Energize]

I'm trying to delete the Windows.old folder on my PC which is 25GB in size but when I try to do so I get messages such as "You require permission from "system" or "trusted installer" to perform this action", I don't understand I'm using the superuser account so I should be able to do anything? In Linux as root I can destroy the OS through file deletion yet in Windows I can't even delete a junk folder?! There's nannying and then there's nannying...

 

[this_is_gav]

Run Disk Clean-up and it will do it for you.

 

[Energize]

I've ran disk clean up with all the boxes ticked and it hasn't touched it.

 

[Griff7520]

run disk clean up and then there will be an option to clean system files...click that

 

[stopper]

Or just use Linux, it looks like you already know how to use it so I'm surprised you haven't tried already.

 

[CyberCrow]

Turn UAC off i had the same problem, an the same with trying change start up sounds

 

[bledd]

Take ownership, give yourself full permission.

Step 1: Take Ownership.
a) Right click on the folder or file you want to take ownership.
b) Click on Properties.
c) Go to security tab.
d) Click on Advanced.
e) Go to Owner tab and click on Edit.
f) Click on Other users or group.
g) Type “Everyone” or a particular user name or a group name (by selecting everyone, any user who login will be having access to that particular file or folder).
h) Click OK.
i) Check the option “Replace owner on subcontainers and objects” and click OK.

Step 2: Assign full permission.

a) Right click on the folder or file you want to take ownership.
b) Click on Properties.
c) Go to security tab.
d) Click on Advanced.
e) Under Permissions tab, click on Change permissions.
f) Click on Add.
g) Type Everyone and check the option full control and click OK.
h) Under permissions tab, if any Deny argument is mentioned select that argument and click on remove.
i) Click OK.

 

[Craig321]

run disk clean up and then there will be an option to clean system files...click that

This will work.

 

[Liquiduk]

I'm trying to delete the Windows.old folder on my PC which is 25GB in size but when I try to do so I get messages such as "You require permission from "system" or "trusted installer" to perform this action", I don't understand I'm using the superuser account so I should be able to do anything? In Linux as root I can destroy the OS through file deletion yet in Windows I can't even delete a junk folder?! There's nannying and then there's nannying...

Is this just a dig at windows?

Take ownership, give yourself full permission.

You cannot go wrong with bledd's suggestion.

 

[bledd]

Indeed,

If that doesn't work, then either a process is locking the file (it won't be) or you've got corruption on the drive. A linux disk would resolve the issue if you can't be bothered to do it in safemode if it is a process locking it.

 

[MichaelAwkward]

Just click Clean System Files on the Disk Cleanup window.

Don't mess about with ownership.

 

[Whitewater]

run disk clean up and then there will be an option to clean system files...click that

This. I did a couple of days after upgrading.

 

[Energize]

run disk clean up and then there will be an option to clean system files...click that

Thanks.

So ridiculous that you can't delete a directory as a superuser, this bug has been present since Windows 95!

 

[MichaelAwkward]

Thanks.

So ridiculous that you can't delete a directory as a superuser, this bug has been present since Windows 95!

I doubt it's a bug. Almost all system files have been owned by TrustedInstaller for some time.

 

[Memphis]

Thanks.

So ridiculous that you can't delete a directory as a superuser, this bug has been present since Windows 95!

Learn to permissions

 

[this_is_gav]

Thanks.

So ridiculous that you can't delete a directory as a superuser, this bug has been present since Windows 95!

It's hardly a bug. Microsoft detail how to do it. Do a search for "delete windows.old" and it's the first result in both Bing and Google. Google even have instructions in an info box at the top of their search results!

It's been this way from at least Windows 7, probably before - my memory doesn't stretch that far.

 

[Griff7520]

Thanks.

So ridiculous that you can't delete a directory as a superuser, this bug has been present since Windows 95!

np

 

[Burnsy2023]

Or just use Linux, it looks like you already know how to use it so I'm surprised you haven't tried already.

Yes because changing OS to sort a permissions issue is a worthwhile endeavour.

 

[markweatherill]

At least you can't accidentally your windows.old folder.

 

[mysticsniper]

Deleting old files shouldn't be as complicated as this thread has turned out.

Using Sysinternal PsTools will do the job quite easily.