How do you delete Windows.old files

Hi Guys

Got a bit of an odd problem I am looking for help with

After giving up with Windows7 because of the number of Vista compatible programs that wouldn't run I re-installed Vista64

I now have a folder called Windows.old which contains the old Windows7 instalation.

Trouble is I cannot delete this Windows.old folder.

I have tried it in safe mode and at the command prompt but it will not delete and as its 18.1 GB I would like to delete it.

Anyone got any tips

This is the message I get, I am logged on as Admin

Follow this:

Vista - "Take Ownership" Context Menu - Tech Support Guy Forums

Then right click the folder, take ownership of it, delete after.

Many thanks

You are a Star

Thanks torrentg for your reply to Paul!

Quick question...after I merge the ownership.reg file into the registry can I delete it from my desktop?

Thanks!

so how does one resolve this little message?



i deleted everything out of it. i have full ownership, which i guess is irrelevant to this particular case. i think theres some stubborn file thats messed up from when it got moved there during install.

holo88 said:

so how does one resolve this little message?



i deleted everything out of it. i have full ownership, which i guess is irrelevant to this particular case. i think theres some stubborn file thats messed up from when it got moved there during install.

I deleted it but some of the content would not delete the first time. I had to go back and do it again, the second time I opened it up and did one file at a time (most of the files deleted on the first run) and then deleted windows.old. Your right, something was being stubborn....but now it is gone!!

Is there any problem with deleting $WINDOWS.~Q and $INPLACE.~TR if you are using Windows 7?

Many thanks,

Silver0066 said:

Is there any problem with deleting $WINDOWS.~Q and $INPLACE.~TR if you are using Windows 7?

Many thanks,

No! You could try using Windows 7 disk cleanup utility! I removed those inplace... folders using this tool, I dont know if it detects the windows.old files also but it worth the try!

"cleanmgr.exe"

How to delete the windows old folder from Microsoft -
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/930527/en-us