How to Get Permission from System to Delete Windows Old

When you upgrade your Windows operating system, the previous version files are saved in a folder known as Windows Old. This folder contains important files that can be used in case of any issues with the new version. However, Windows Old takes up a lot of space on the hard drive, and you might want to delete it. The only issue is that the system doesn’t grant you the permission to delete Windows Old. In this article, we will cover different methods that can be used to get permission to delete Windows Old.

If you are facing a low disk space issue and want to free up some space on your hard drive, then this article is for you. The article consists of various methods that can help you delete Windows Old without any permission issues. So, let’s get started.

Video Tutorial:

What’s Needed

In order to apply the methods we discussed in the article, you will need some basic requirements for the computer system. Following are the prerequisites:

• Administrator access to the system.
• The system should be up-to-date with the latest updates.
• Enough free space on hard drive for new updates and files.

What Requires Your Focus?

While proceeding with the methods, you should focus on the following:

• Choose the method that suits your system and version of Windows.
• Backup important files before going further with any method.
• During the method, follow steps as mentioned in order to avoid any issue.

Different Methods to Get Permission to Delete Windows Old

Method 1: Using Disk Cleanup

Disk Cleanup is a built-in tool that can be used to free up space on the hard drive. You can use it to delete Windows Old as well.

Follow these steps to delete Windows Old using Disk Cleanup:

1. Click on Start and type "Disk Cleanup" in the search box.
2. Choose Disk Cleanup from the results.
3. Wait for the scanning process to finish, then select the drive where the Windows Old folder is located.
4. Click on OK.
5. Select "Clean up system files".
6. Wait for the scanning process to complete.
7. Check the "Previous Windows installation(s)" option from the list, then click OK.
8. Now, Windows will delete Windows Old from your system.

Pros:

• Easy to use and doesn’t require any advanced technical skills.
• Works well with latest versions of Windows.
• Won’t cause any harm to the system.

Cons:

• You cannot select which files you want to delete.
• You might lose important files and data during the process.
• The process will take some time to complete.

Method 2: Using Command Prompt

The Command Prompt is a powerful tool that can be used to execute commands and perform tasks on the system. You can use it to take permission to delete Windows Old.

Follow these steps to delete Windows Old using Command Prompt:

1. Click on Start and type "Command Prompt" in the search box.
2. Choose Command Prompt from the results.
3. Right-click on Command Prompt and select "Run as administrator".
4. Type the following command: takeown /F C:\Windows.old\* /R /A
5. Now, type: icacls C:\Windows.old\*.* /T /grant administrators:F
6. Finally, type "y" if prompted and press Enter.

Pros:

• You can select which files you want to delete.
• You won’t lose important files and data during the process.
• The process will be fast and easy to complete.

Cons:

• The process requires some technical knowledge to execute commands.
• You have to be careful while typing commands.
• The process might harm the system if not done properly.

Method 3: Using File Explorer

You can also delete Windows Old using File Explorer without any permission issue. Follow these steps:

1. Click on Start and open File Explorer.
2. Right-click on the drive where Windows Old is located, then click on Properties.
3. Click on "Disk Cleanup".
4. Select "Clean up system files".
5. Wait for the scanning process to complete.
6. Check the "Previous Windows installation(s)" option from the list, then click OK.
7. You can also delete it manually by going to the path "C:\Windows.Old" and delete it by pressing Shift + Delete.

Pros:

• You can select which files you want to delete.
• You won’t lose important files and data during the process.
• You don’t need any technical knowledge or skills to perform this method.

Cons:

• The process might seem time-consuming.
• You might view files mistakenly before deleting them.
• If you manually delete Windows Old, there is no way to recover it.

Why Can’t I Get Permission to Delete Windows Old?

There can be several reasons why you can’t get permission to delete Windows Old. Some of the common reasons are:

1. If you have upgraded your Windows OS recently and Windows Old is less than ten days old, you are not allowed to delete it.
2. Windows is currently using files in Windows Old, and therefore it cannot delete them.
3. If the Windows Old folder is locked by a process, it can’t be deleted.

Now, if you want to delete Windows Old, you must follow methods according to your reason for no permission.

Implications and Recommendations

After deleting Windows Old, it is recommended to keep track of the free space on the hard drive and maintain it. You can use the above methods to free up space as and when required. You can also keep a backup of important files to avoid any loss. These basic maintenance practices can prevent low disk space issues, system crashes, and loss of data.

5 FAQs About Getting Permission to Delete Windows Old

Q1: How do I know if I have the permissions to delete Windows Old?

A: You will know that you have the permissions to delete Windows Old if you can successfully delete it. If you cannot delete it, then you do not have the required permissions.

Q2: How long does it take to delete Windows Old using Disk Cleanup?

A: The time required to delete Windows old using Disk Cleanup depends on the size of the folder and the speed of your system. Normally, it takes around 15-20 minutes to complete the process.

Q3: Can I recover files after deleting Windows Old?

A: No, you cannot recover the files once you have deleted Windows Old. Hence, it is recommended to create a backup of important files before proceeding with any method.

Q4: What should I do if Windows Old can’t be deleted even after following the methods?

A: If Windows Old can’t be deleted even after following all methods, try running a virus scan on your system. There might be some files that are locked by a virus or malware, making it unable to delete Windows Old.

Q5: How do I know which method is suitable for my system?

A: You can read the details of each method and choose the one that suits your system. However, it’s recommended to take precautions and backup important files before proceeding with any method.

In Conclusion

In conclusion, Windows Old takes up unnecessary space on the hard drive, and it’s recommended to delete it. But sometimes, it becomes hard to get permission to delete Windows Old because of certain reasons. Hence, we must use the above-mentioned methods to free up space and keep our systems running smoothly. Always remember to take precautions and backup important files before proceeding with the methods. We hope this article helped you delete Windows Old without any permission issue.