Member Avatar for mtatadotcom

i have formated a friends laptop by instaling a new windows 7 in a different partition but i do not know how to remove the old windows from the other partition, the computer keeps saying unable to perform format when i format the partition containig the old windows please help.

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Quick summary and extra context: solved this thread’s problem by removing the Windows.old folder with Disk Cleanup; that’s the least-disruptive fix. Earlier replies from , and pointed toward using install media or offline tools when an in-use partition won’t format. The suggestions are all valid — below are why formats fail and safe alternatives to consider when Disk Cleanup isn’t an option.

Common reasons a format reports “unable to perform format”

  • The volume is marked Active/System or contains boot files referenced by the boot manager.
  • Windows has open handles (pagefile, hibernation file, or System Restore) on that volume.
  • The partition is encrypted (BitLocker) or the file system is corrupted.
  • File/permission ownership is preventing deletion.

Checks and safer fixes (non-destructive first)

  • Inspect Disk Management (diskmgmt.msc) to see which volume is labeled “System”, “Boot” or “Active”.
  • If files won’t delete because of permissions, take ownership and reset ACLs:
    takeown /f X:\ /r /d y
icacls X:\ /grant Administrators:F /t
  • If the volume is genuinely unused but locked by the running OS, perform the format from outside the running Windows environment (Windows RE / install media or a Linux live USB). That removes in-use locks without touching the current OS.

If an offline format is required (exercise extreme caution)

  • Use diskpart from boot media to identify and format the correct partition. Selecting the wrong disk/partition will destroy data; confirm sizes and numbers before issuing commands.

Final cautions

  • Back up any personal data first. Do not delete the Recovery or System Reserved partitions. If Windows was booting from the old partition, rebuild or move the boot files before formatting the old OS partition. Disk Cleanup (system files) is safest for removing Windows.old; offline formats are for when the volume must be repurposed and is not the active boot volume.

Recommended Answers

All 8 Replies

Member Avatar for mtatadotcom

i want to format the partition and leave it empty because it kinda makes the computer heavy in processing < u know wat i mean ofcourse> . :-)

Member Avatar for jingda

Have you see the link i posted?

Member Avatar for ljdellar

You can also format the partition from your Windows 7 Installation Disk.

Member Avatar for jingda

So how did it go. Did our suggested solutions work. We need to hear a reply.

Edited by jingda because: n/a
Member Avatar for Speedo12

You have to select booting system. Select cd-rom and then you will be able to format your partition.

Edited by Speedo12 because: n/a
Member Avatar for mtatadotcom

thanks to you all but unfortunately none of you answered my question corectly, after some research in others places this is the sollution that i found that works exactly as i wanted

1. on the start menu sellect "disc cleanup"
2. specify the partition that you want cleaned and the comp will run a diagnostic on how much space you can save after the cleaning
3. in the list of things that you can remove that will appear after a few seconds. sellect previos windows instalations and "OK'
4. the windows old file will be deleted


and incase you want to delete any file that is requiring permiosion from tha administrator just create a windows old file , put all those files in that folder and folow the same procedure

Member Avatar for jingda

Good to hear that you solved it. unfortunately, you did not give us much information you, so we are unable to help you.

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