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Dead Storage I Cant Delete (Windows 10)

I recently had a windows update database error and tried everything I can think of to repair it but nothing I did or none of the tools I found in forums would fix it... I tried doing a system restore and it didn't work either... I noticed after doing a system restore I had 20 GB less space on my ssd then before I did it... after doing the system restore my restore points were mysteriously just gone and no way to revert (???) anyways I decided to bite the bullet and just do a full restore and start from scratch.

After doing it I noticed that I had less storage space then I should.... 20 GB's. Under the Settings>System>Storage>This PC I checked and found the 20 GB's to be listed under "Other" but the folders listed in it are mere KB's and wouldn't be helpful to delete. I used a program called SpaceSniffer and I seen quite a few GB's being used by store apps I used to have installed... games I no longer have installed after restoring (Forza for one)

Cant open or delete this, as its under system volume information but Spacesniffer tells me its my old windows store apps and one of the links I was able to pull is ...

C:\System Volume Information\SystemRestore\AppxStaging\Program Files\WindowsApps\Microsoft.ApexPG_1.3.12.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe

I'm pretty sure that related to Forza Apex, which was a decent sized game. this all happened after I did the system restore, not the Recovery reset. (edit: It definitely is, that folder alone accounts for 14 GB's but the game isn't installed)

Anyways... so the question... how do I delete this?

Bonus question if anyone feels like it... how do you repair a windows update database error? I used stuff I normally use when having windows update issues (net stop wuauserv, bits, clear Software Distribution etc and troubleshooting as well as WindowsUpdateDiagnostic) ... none of it worked.

(edit: upon trying to use windows update, I've noticed my updating problem still exists, windows update identifies available updates, yet as I try to start them, it just says "Downloading Updates 0%"  ... everything was fine until the stupid anniversary update, now my stuff is broken, don't get me wrong I like windows 10, I just wish it worked. I don't have installation media and if I were to obtain it from my OEM it would be windows 8 and its just past the point where I can use the free upgrade, and the windows 10 Reset PC option doesn't seem to be doing it so I'm at a loss of options at the moment.

Hi Max,

I suggest you to take ownership of the file and delete it.

  • Right click the folder you want to gain access to and choose Properties.
  • When Properties window opens, navigate to Security tab. In group or user name section you can see the list of users and groups on your computer that can access this folder.
  • Click the Advanced button.

  • When Advanced Security Settings windows opens check the Owner section at the top. Click Change in order to change the owner of the folder.

  • Select User or Group window will now open. Click Advanced. Optional: If you know the name of the group or the user, you can just enter it in the Enter the object name to select section and click Check Names and OK and skip to Step 8.

  • Click Find Now button and the list of all groups and users on your computer should appear in Search results.

  • Select the name or the group from the list and click OK. In our example we selected Users group, but you make to select a group or a user that you wish to assign ownership to.
  • Click OK again.

  • Check Replace owner on sub containers and objects to change the owner for all subfolders in this folder.

  • Click Apply and OK to save changes.

And for Windows update issues suggest to run the reset Windows update components and check if it helps.
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/971058

Hope it helps.

Thank & Regards,

SuJata Moktan.

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Ok, i wasn't able to take control of or even find a way to edit the system volume folder all that stuff was in but I ended up using the Microsoft tool to put windows 10 in a flash drive, then i booted from the usb and formatted my ssd and put a fresh copy on it. From what i understood b4 i did all that is microsoft used my system configuration somehow and kept track of my product key so as soon as i went online and clicked activate it was already in its system, so it activated with no fuss. I shouldn't have had to do all this, my programs and personalization is pretty intense so it will take me forever to get back to where i was but at least they took care of that part for me. Thanks Microsoft, both genuinely and sarcastically. 

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Last updated December 30, 2020 Views 167 Applies to: