[SOLVED] How to delete a certain file in Windows

[EyyMunchian]

Alright folks, I'm getting extremely frustrated in trying to delete a file off my computer. I reset my version of Windows due to maintenance reasons (happens annually) and there is one stubborn file which keeps the Windows.Old file from being completely removed. I have given my all the required permissions and even went onto using 3rd party software to brute delete this file. I've tried safe mode, Command prompt, PowerShell (all in administrator too!) and No luck. I do however get errors trying to re-transfer ownership of the file. Access Denied, But by who? Every other Windows.Old file has been deleted! It's getting very annoying.

Here are a few pictures of the errors I get:

https://imgur.com/a/Shi9NCk

View: https://imgur.com/a/Shi9NCk


I've even tried AutoRuns, and Windows's old software maintenance assistant program. Internet couldn't help, Youtube nothing.

Thanks Folks

 

[Colif]

Have you tried a restart since deleting the file as sometimes that helps, its possible the file is running and can only be removed via a restart. This is same reason why driver updates often need a restart.

You aren't only user on the PC. You may be only human one but WIndows has at least 2 it needs to run. System & Trustedinstaller, and its likely the 2nd one which owns that file. It is not advisable to mess with either if you want win 10 to continue to function.

Its unusual for a windows.old file to still be in use.

Did you try using disk cleanup and remove old system files?

 

[wpgwpg]

Two comments. First, those two files are tiny, so if I were you, I wouldn't worry about it. Second, if Colif's suggestion doesn't help (as it should), there's always Linux. I keep a flash drive with Linux Mint that I can boot in under a minute, and it will delete anything I tell it to without having to dink around with Windows permissions. You can download it from here:
https://linuxmint.com/download.php . It has a user interface similar to Windows so you don't have to know anything about Linux to use it.

 

[Colif]

If you reset yearly for maintenance reasons I would do a clean install instead as I find resets are more likely to break than work, and a clean install beats a reset as it forces windows to get all new drivers. And it doesn't leave a windows.old folder behind.

Apart from its size, another reason I wouldn't worry is generally the windows.old folder only lasts 10 days before windows 10 deletes it.

 

[EyyMunchian]

Two comments. First, those two files are tiny, so if I were you, I wouldn't worry about it. Second, if Colif's suggestion doesn't help (as it should), there's always Linux. I keep a flash drive with Linux Mint that I can boot in under a minute, and it will delete anything I tell it to without having to dink around with Windows permissions. You can download it from here:
https://linuxmint.com/download.php . It has a user interface similar to Windows so you don't have to know anything about Linux to use it.

I will attempt to use the Linux route. So I’ve got Linux installed on my spare SSD and I’ve got my HDD (games, Windows, basically everything) on my original drive. How does one delete a file using Linux on another drive? I have the power and sata cables connecting both so we are good there. I would google it but I don’t feel like screwing anything up as I’m a noob at Linux (only use Kali here and there for in home penitration testing).

 

[Sawier]

Two comments. First, those two files are tiny, so if I were you, I wouldn't worry about it. Second, if Colif's suggestion doesn't help (as it should), there's always Linux. I keep a flash drive with Linux Mint that I can boot in under a minute, and it will delete anything I tell it to without having to dink around with Windows permissions. You can download it from here:
https://linuxmint.com/download.php . It has a user interface similar to Windows so you don't have to know anything about Linux to use it.

You are right.