When Disk Cleanup Fails Use Search
I’ve been slowly but surely working my way through all of my test machines recently, putting things to order. In do doing, I keep running across a list of files and folders on the C: drive that Disk Cleanup (or its new fave counterpart “Managed Disk Cleanup“) fails to get rid of. In the interests of documenting what I’m finding, I’ll keep this list going as I find new stuff. But, after cleaning up a half-dozen machines, here’s what I’ve seen that I’ve deleted with a brief explanation and links to more info.
$SysReset shows up on most of my systems, even after Disk Cleanup.
When Disk Cleanup Fails Use Search To Determine What’s Safe to Delete
| Name | File/Folder | From | OK2Delete? | More info |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $GetCurrent | Folder | Any upgrade | Yes | HowtoGeek |
| $Hyper-V.tmp | Folder | Any upgrade/enabling Hyper-V | Yes | GHacks.net |
| $SysReset | Folder | Failed upgrade | Yes | HowtoGeek |
| $Windows.~BT | Folder | Any upgrade | Yes | HowtoGeek |
| $Windows.~TMP | Folder | Any upgrade | Yes | MS Answers |
| $Windows.~WS | Folder | Any upgrade | Yes | MS Answers |
| $WINRE_BACKUP_ PARTITION.MARKER |
File | Some upgrades | Yes | TenForums |
| C:\Windows\Servicing\LCU | Folder | Windows Update | Yes | TenForums |
| Windows10Upgrade | Folder | Win10 Upgrade Assistant | Yes | WinHelpOnline |
[Note: Because WordPress doesn’t properly format hyperlinks inside tables — go figure! — I manually turned them italic, underlined them, and colored them blue in Column 5 of the preceding table. Thus, they won’t change color after you’ve clicked them, as they ordinarily would.]
As far as the Windows 10 Upgrade Assistant goes (resides in the Windows10Upgrade folder) you could also elect to uninstall that program instead. Do this using Control Panel → Programs and features, then select Windows 10 Upgrade Assistant and Uninstall.
As I find more of these things I’ll keep adding them to this list. If you’d care to suggest possible entries, please email them to me at ed at edtittel dot com and put “SDCMissing” in the subject line. Thanks!
[Note: $Hyper-V.tmp added on 10/4/2019.]