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Removing "My old disk structure"

I had to reinstall Windows XP H.E. Windows having left "My old disc structure" I was wondering if I can safely remove the folder. I've read that some have had problems trying to remove it and others say that the system is still using some of the files. The folder is a few GB in size and taking up unnecessary (?) space. Can anyone offer any assistance? With much thanks.

Whats the name of the folder and what is in it?

If the folder was made when you Installed an Upgrade to XP of installed SP1 or 2 it is safe to remove it but you'll have to remember that if you want to at some stage revert back to the old install you'll no longer have the necessary files available.

Of course knowing exactly what the folder actually contains would make life a lot easier.

If you can not remove the folder in an open session of Windows while logged on as Admin I would leave it put as it contains files that windows needs.

Col

This was not just an upgrade, it was a re-install. Having had a tweak go wrong I lost all my administrative priviledges. I was unable to make a current back up of all my files as even the 'paste' command was disabled. My recovery disk offered 3 options to re-install windows. As the simple 'repair' did not work I had to re-install the OS - one option for install allowed the creation of a folder called "My old disk structure" to be kept under the new windows structure. The folder is located in 'Documents and Settings', I believe (sorry, I am not at my work computer). It contains files exactly as described - my old disk structure, with my working files, programs and windows. I was able to recover my working documents from this newly formed folder and could copy/paste or cut and move my working files as needed, but I was wondering if I can actually remove the "Program Files" and "Windows" folders. If the folder was created as sort of a backup I could see being able to delete it but why would it keep the program and windows folders if they aren't being used? I couldn't find any info on MS site.

So very sorry, I posted my comment in the wrong section? Newbie...

This was not just an upgrade, it was a re-install. Having had a tweak go wrong I lost all my administrative priviledges. I was unable to make a current back up of all my files as even the 'paste' command was disabled. My recovery disk offered 3 options to re-install windows. As the simple 'repair' did not work I had to re-install the OS - one option for install allowed the creation of a folder called "My old disk structure" to be kept under the new windows structure. The folder is located in 'Documents and Settings', I believe (sorry, I am not at my work computer). It contains files exactly as described - my old disk structure, with my working files, programs and windows. I was able to recover my working documents from this newly formed folder and could copy/paste or cut and move my working files as needed, but I was wondering if I can actually remove the "Program Files" and "Windows" folders. If the folder was created as sort of a backup I could see being able to delete it but why would it keep the program and windows folders if they aren't being used? I could not find any info on MS site.

Yes it should be safe to delete but I would first make a current Backup of all your data and after you delete the folder I would be considering using a wiping utility to write 0's to every sector of the HDD and the do a clean install.

While your system may appear to be working properly right now there will be bits and pieces of the old OS left lying around on the HDD which can cause problems latter on.

Anyway no matter what it's a good time to instigate some form of Disaster Recovery Program where you make Regular Backups so if something worse happens you are not in a position of needing to spend thousands of $ to recover your data off a dead HDD.

Col

Most of the HDD makers used to have a utility to wipe the drives so that would be a good place to start.

If you can not pickup something there let me know and I'll attack a copy of the old IBM Wipe & Zap utility which used to be on their web site before they sold off the HDD side to Hitachi.

As you have entered a lot of data earlier and after your last backup it would be a good idea to do a backup before wiping and reinstalling. I'm lazy and that is how I would do it if it where me.

Col

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