Windows 8 Trouble deleting "windows old" directory.

[Richard Snow]

I keep getting a "need permission from Trusted installer" or "system' error. Who is this guy and where do I find him? Also have some Java style "file name too long for recycle bin errors". I'd like to reclaim this wasted hard drive space after a non-eventful Win 8 install. Thanks in advance.

 

[Saltgrass]

In the Control Panel, Administrative Tools, there is a Disk Cleanup utility.

Start that and select the proper drive. Then go to the bottom and select "Cleanup System Files". It will ask you to reconfirm the drive and look for those files. When it comes back, go through the check boxes and look near the bottom for Install type files. I do not have a Windows.old folder, so I cannot tell you the exact terminology.

If you want to check what files are included, select that entry, then the view files button. The Windows.old folder should be there, possibly with others also. Just make sure and uncheck any boxes that contain files you do not want removed.

 

[Mitchell_A]

In the Control Panel, Administrative Tools, there is a Disk Cleanup utility.

Start that and select the proper drive. Then go to the bottom and select "Cleanup System Files". It will ask you to reconfirm the drive and look for those files. When it comes back, go through the check boxes and look near the bottom for Install type files. I do not have a Windows.old folder, so I cannot tell you the exact terminology.

If you want to check what files are included, select that entry, then the view files button. The Windows.old folder should be there, possibly with others also. Just make sure and uncheck any boxes that contain files you do not want removed.

Scanning initially can take a long time... If you run disk cleanup as an administrator from the start, it will automatically scan system files (including the old installations). That's just a small time saver.

Make sure you've copied over any files you need from your personal directory in the old folder!

 

[Richard Snow]

Thanks, another KISS moment. Found this link Link Removed during my search.

 

[JuliaBrin]

I suggest that you check out the Long Path Tool. This is what you need, it will definitely solve your problem. You should try it.