How To “Delete $Windows.BT” Folder

The $Windows.~BT folder is a hidden entity in the Windows 10 operating system that usually appears after an update or an upgrade.

This folder can take up significant disk space and is often safe to delete, but its removal can sometimes be complicated.

This article will explore the $Windows.~BT folder, how to delete it, and steps to take when you encounter ‘Access Denied’ issues, utilizing the Powershell and command line.

Delete $Windows.BT

What is $Windows.~BT?

The $Windows.~BT folder is a temporary directory on your system created during the installation of a new Windows version or a significant update.

It typically holds old Windows installation files and logs that help roll back the system if an update fails.

Deleting $Windows.~BT and $Windows.~WS Folders in Windows 10

While these folders can occupy substantial disk space, you should only remove them if you’re confident that your system is functioning correctly after an update and you have no plans to roll back. Here are the steps to delete these folders:

Method 1: Disk Cleanup Tool

  1. Open the “Disk Cleanup” tool by typing it into the Start menu.
  2. Select the drive where your Windows is installed, typically the C: drive.
  3. Click “Clean up system files.”
  4. Select “Previous Windows installation(s)” and “Temporary Windows installation files,” then click “OK” to start the cleanup.

Method 2: Storage Sense

  1. Go to “Settings > System > Storage.”
  2. Under “Storage Sense,” click “Configure Storage Sense or run it now.”
  3. Scroll down and check “Delete previous versions of Windows,” then click “Clean now.”

Method 3: Manually Deleting the Folders

You can also delete these folders manually, although this may result in the ‘Access Denied’ error due to system permissions.

Overcoming ‘Access Denied’ Error

If you’re trying to delete the $Windows.~BT folder manually and encounter the ‘Access Denied’ error, you can use the following methods:

Using PowerShell

  1. Open PowerShell as an administrator.
  2. To take ownership of the folder, type the command: takeown /F C:\$Windows.~BT\* /R /A
  3. To grant full control permissions, type: icacls C:\$Windows.~BT\* /T /grant administrators:F
  4. Finally, remove the folder by typing: rd /s /q C:\$Windows.~BT\

Using Command Prompt

  1. Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
  2. To take ownership, type: takeown /F C:\$Windows.~BT\* /R /A
  3. To grant full control permissions, type: cacls C:\$Windows.~BT\* /T /grant administrators:F
  4. Finally, remove the folder by typing: rd /s /q C:\$Windows.~BT\

Conclusion

The $Windows.~BT folder is a temporary directory created during Windows 10 updates or upgrades. While this folder is safe to delete, it can sometimes result in ‘Access Denied’ errors due to system permissions.

You can overcome these issues using the Disk Cleanup tool, Storage Sense, or manual deletion using PowerShell or Command Prompt. Remember to be confident that your system is stable after an update before deleting these folders, as they hold crucial rollback data.