Delete large folders in Windows faster

Deleting large folders with multiple thousands of files using Windows Explorer can take a very long time.

Command prompt usually provides faster results, but depending on what command(s) were used it can still take quite a long time. After some experimenting, I found that the following way is the fastest one:

• Open command prompt (cmd.exe) and navigate to the folder in question.
• Run the following two commands:
  • DEL /F/Q/S folder_to_delete > nul
    Deletes all files
  • RMDIR /Q/S folder_to_delete
    Deletes remaining folder structure.

Sage 50 Payroll - change database path

Issue

Sage 50 Payroll data files have been moved to another server and we need to point the application to the new location. Sage Payroll doesn't provide any obvious way to do this. There is no way to open a new company or close an old one via the Open Company dialog.

The Browse button doesn't help either. Trying to open the moved database throws an error about locked database file (which was not the case).

VMware Workstation Pro can't run on Windows

Issue

After a routine Cumulative Windows Update, VMware Workstation 14 no longer works. Following Windows Compatibility Assitant message pops up and VMware Workstation never opens.

VMware Workstation Pro can't run on Windows
Check for an updated version of this app that runs on Windows
Compatibility Assitant

Open VPN GUI error - OpenVPNServiceInteractive is not started

Issue

Open VPN GUI shows the following error when starting:

OpenVPN GUI
"OpenVPNServicelnteractive" is not started.
Tasks requiring administrative access may not work.