How to remove WIndows.old folder

After Microsoft Windows OS (desktop and server) is upgraded, we can see the folder Windows.old. I agree that this folder in some cases can be very useful, but in most cases it’s only a “bed history residue” and most of us want to remove it. In the desktop operating systems is easy to do this, but in server systems seems that this functionality is missing.
So, it is not true, we just have to install it. Here is the step-by-step guide how we can do that in Windows Server 2012R2 (it is very similar in Server 2012):

Open Server manager and in dashboard click on Add Roles and Features. On installation type select Role-Based or feature-based installation.

Step1

Select the desired server from the server pool.

Step2

Select Next on Server Roles and in the Features step check Desktop Experience under User Interfaces and Infrastructure.

Step3

Finish the installation, reboot the server and open This PC (My computer). Right click on C disk and select Properties. Now there is the Disk Cleanup button like on desktop operating systems. Click on it.

Step4

After the disk cleanup process will finish, you will be able to see a lot of file categories to clean, but there are no system files from the old installation. To discover this type of files, you have to click on Clean up system files.

Step5

After this process will finish, you will be able to see all old windows installation files. At this point you have to select them and click on OK.

Step6

This will remove all old windows installations and system will looks clean, but before you delete old windows installations be sure, that everything is working with the new OS. After this step it is not possible to go back..

Windows 8.1 and Windows Server 2012R2 is coming

As you can see also on TechNet’s blog, the operating systems Windows 8.1 and Windows Server 2012R2 will became available on October 18. On this date will be also available Windows Server Essentials 2012R2, which is designed for small companies. As in all other OS, also in Essentials there are many upgraded or new functionalities (very nice and very cool). I will publish my top-ten new features in few days.
You can also download the Windows 8.1 product guide here..

About malware…

Frequently someone asks me for an advice which antivirus use, how to protect from the “viruses” and similar things. For this reason, I have decided to say some words about this on my blog.
A good antivirus software it is not all you need, above all, you need to control yourself. You have to avoid browsing on some not good internet pages, you have to avoid to install all software that you think “maybe will be useful”, in other words, work with computer responsibly and think of what can happen in advice.
Finally, think about all devices, that you have. It is not good to say “it is only tablet or phone”. This type of thinking has as a result a 614% grow of malware on Android devices in a year!
Also for the computer think what is going on. Now there is a Trojan malware where you have to answer on a survey!
And on “The Question” which antivirus software is good, I always avoid the response. The reason is simple: everyone of us has personal preferences and thinking. As a result of this, it is impossible to give the perfectly correct answer, but you can find Antivirus software tests here. This can give you a good view to find the right software..

Windows 8.1 Full backup

In the new version of Windows client (8.1), Microsoft cut out backup functionality. The reason why is simple: we have now more than one device, synchronised thru SkyDrive, all installed applications are available via Live account, and form this point of view, you can always restore your computer and data from this states.
As an administrator in small environments, I know that this is not always true and of course, we need the full machine backup. Now we still have the option to use 3rd party software, but to do it this way, we need to buy additional software.
Therefore, for everyone who want to use build in functionality for backup the computer, it is still possible and the step-by-step guide is available here..

Update Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012 with WSUS 3.0

Now many of us are using Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012. In many cases, there are some problems updating these operating systems with WSUS 3.0. The first symptom is, that these systems are reported in WSUS as Windows XP pro, not as Windows 8. It seems that the problem is in WSUS service. To solve the problem you must install WSUS SP2, which is downloadable from http://www.microsoft.com/en-za/download/details.aspx?id=30747 (64bit) or from http://www.microsoft.com/en-za/download/details.aspx?id=30748 (32bit).
After installing this update, you will be able to update the Windows 8 and Server 2012 operating systems..