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Windows.old file not found

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Old 01-08-2009   #1 (permalink)
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Windows.old file not found

So I've recently moved from Xp pro to HP x64. During boot up I have an option to select previous windows installation. I googled and found to delete it you must use Disk Cleanup. I've followed steps to the T and no folder ever appears. So I also found a way to do it manually by typing %systemdrive%\Windows.old in the Start Search box. I get an error windows.old file not found. Can anyone help me delete this folder.

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Old 01-08-2009   #2 (permalink)
mansrm81's Avatar
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Re: Windows.old file not found

Have you ran the disk cleanup tool for your drive.

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Old 01-08-2009   #3 (permalink)
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Re: Windows.old file not found

Hello Starcraft, and welcome to Vista Forums.

Is should be at C:\Windows.old, but I would recommend using Disk Cleanup and select the "previous OS discarded file ..." type option to make it easier to do. Sometimes it was actually deleted, but the window did not refresh to show that it was gone.

Hope this helps,
Shawn
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Old 01-08-2009   #4 (permalink)
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Re: Windows.old file not found

Hey thnks for the reply but it is not there. Disk cleanup does not have it nor is it in C:\Windows.old. It's very annoying

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Hello Starcraft, and welcome to Vista Forums.

Is should be at C:\Windows.old, but I would recommend using Disk Cleanup and select the "previous OS discarded file ..." type option to make it easier to do. Sometimes it was actually deleted, but the window did not refresh to show that it was gone.

Hope this helps,
Shawn
My System SpecsSystem Spec
Old 01-08-2009   #5 (permalink)
mansrm81's Avatar
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Re: Windows.old file not found

Have you tried searching for the folder with vista search.
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Old 01-08-2009   #6 (permalink)
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Re: Windows.old file not found

Yup typed %systemdrive%\Windows.old in the search bar. I even searched every fold under my C:/windows and nothing related to windows.old


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Have you tried searching for the folder with vista search.
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Old 01-08-2009   #7 (permalink)
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Re: Windows.old file not found

The file path would be C:\Windows.old, and not C:\Windows\Windows.old if it was created during installation.

Set your system files to not be hidden in folder options to see if it may show up afterwards.

Hidden Files and Folders
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Old 01-08-2009   #8 (permalink)
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Re: Windows.old file not found

Thanks Brink but I know it's that file but it's not there. If it was there wouldn't show up in %systemdrive%\Windows.old in the Start Search box or even when I try to delete it in the command prompt using this way:
Alternatively, you can also use a command prompt to delete files and folders from an earlier installation of Windows Vista. To do this, Run 'Command Prompt' as administrator.
First you will need to take ownership of this folder, so at the command prompt, type
takeown /F C:\Windows.old\* /R /A
and hit Enter. Next, in the command prompt, type
cacls C:\Windows.old\*.* /T /grant administrators:F
and hit Enter. When you run this command, administrators are granted full rights to all files and to all folders. Finally, type
rmdir /S /Q C:\Windows.old\
and hit Enter. This will delete the windows.old folder.

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Brink
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The file path would be C:\Windows.old, and not C:\Windows\Windows.old if it was created during installation.

Set your system files to not be hidden in folder options to see if it may show up afterwards.

Hidden Files and Folders
My System SpecsSystem Spec
Old 01-08-2009   #9 (permalink)
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Re: Windows.old file not found

Open up msconfig and see if you can see the entry for previous version and if you can delete it form the boot tab.
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Old 01-08-2009   #10 (permalink)
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Re: Windows.old file not found

Hey mansrm81, ok I've tried that also and there is onlt 1 which is Vista. I was convinced the it has been deleted but everytime I reboot I keep get the previous windows installation selection...

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Open up msconfig and see if you can see the entry for previous version and if you can delete it form the boot tab.
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