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If you’ve seen a strange folder called $Windows.\BT taking up room on your computer, don’t worry—we’ll show you how to Delete The $Windows.~BT Folder on Windows. This folder shows up after your computer changes or if an attempt to upgrade fails. The good news is that you can generally delete the update to make room for something else. Here’s the catch, though: be careful! Being careful is important when deleting system files so that you don’t damage your computer.
This guide is here to make everything easy. We’ll show you how to properly delete the $Windows.\BT folder from your Windows system so that you can get back some valuable disc space without putting your computer at risk. We’ll show you how to use the built-in Disc Cleanup tool, give you other ways to get rid of those stubborn folders, and stress some important safety steps.
These easy steps will not only help you get back some storage space, but they will also keep your system running smoothly. Please keep in mind that being careful with system files is very important. Sometimes it’s best to ask a tech expert for help if you’re not sure about a step how to Delete The $Windows.~BT Folder on Windows.
What is the $Windows.~BT folder
When you update to a new version of Windows, it makes a temporary folder called $Windows.\BT. That’s what it stands for: “Windows Setup Backport.” It will show up on your computer if Windows is being updated right now. There are important files and info for the upgrade in this folder. It stores setup files, drivers, and other things that Windows Update needs for the download. Most of the time, you won’t need this folder after updating your computer.
Windows could even delete it on its own to make room on your hard drive. You should not delete this folder by hand because it is very important for the success and smooth running of your update. So, if you see this folder and aren’t sure what it’s for, just let it do its thing. Your computer will have the latest form of Windows. That’s how the $Windows.\BT folder helps you easily upgrade Windows.
How to Delete The $Windows.~BT Folder on Windows
Disk Cleanup (Recommended)
- Use the built-in tool for safe removal of temporary files, including those in $Windows.~BT.
- Open the Start menu, type “Disk Cleanup,” and select it.
- Choose your system drive (typically C:), click “Clean up system files,” and wait for the scan.
- Select “Temporary Windows installation files” in the list and click “OK.”
- Restart your computer if prompted.
Command Prompt (Advanced)
- If Disk Cleanup doesn’t work or you prefer a more direct approach.
- Open Command Prompt as administrator (e.g., via Right-click Start -> Command Prompt (Admin)).
- Type takeown /f C:\$Windows.~BT /r /d y and press Enter. This takes ownership of the folder.
- Then, type del /f /s /q C:\$Windows.~BT and press Enter. This deletes the folder and its contents.
File Explorer (Potentially Risky)
- Caution: This method is not recommended as it can unintentionally harm system files.
- Navigate to C:\$Windows.~BT in File Explorer (show hidden files first).
- Right-click the folder and select “Delete”.
- If prompted for permission, choose “Yes”.
Importance of Deleting $Windows.~BT for Disk Space
- Temporary Nature: “$Windows.~BT” is a temporary folder that is usually made when you download and get ready for a Windows update. If the update goes through properly, this folder should be deleted automatically. It might need to be deleted by hand if the system can’t get rid of it.
- Disc Cleanup: These temporary files can pile up over time and take up a lot of room on your hard drive. As part of regular disc cleanup, getting rid of unnecessary files like the “$Windows.~BT” folder can help free up room.
- Avoiding Storage Problems: Freeing up disc space is very important on systems with limited storage space so that you don’t run out of room. If you want to avoid storage problems, delete files that you don’t need, especially after a Windows update.
- Getting Back Space for Other Uses: Getting rid of the “$Windows.~BT” folder can free up space for other programmes, files, or activities, making the system more useful overall.
- Files That Are Outdated: If an update process didn’t finish successfully, the “$Windows.\BT” folder might hold files that are no longer supported. Getting rid of these files can help keep your file system cleaner and more efficient.
Conclusion
To sum up, getting rid of the $Windows.~BT folder on your Windows computer is a job that needs some thought and following good habits. The folder may not seem important after a system update or change, but it is an important part of how the system works. But if you really need the room on your disc and are sure you want to delete it, be careful not to mess up your system.
The Disc Cleanup tool or other safe methods can be used to get rid of the folder without making your operating system less stable. It’s important to remember that messing around with system files can cause problems you didn’t mean to, so save something first before you delete anything. If you follow these steps, you’ll be able to manage and make the most of your storage space while keeping your Windows system running easily.
You shouldn’t delete these folders yourself because they could have important system files in them. Instead, use the Disc Cleanup tool or one of the other suggested ways to get rid of files that you don’t need.
If you delete the folder, you might not be able to return to the old version of Windows. If updates are ready or installations are going on, deleting the folder could cause issues. Before you remove it, make sure your machine is stable.
If you delete the folder while an update is running, it could mess up the update. Wait until the update is done, and then you can decide if you want to delete the folder.