Are you looking to free up some space on your Windows 10 PC? If you’ve recently upgraded from an earlier version of Windows or from an earlier Windows 10 build, you may have noticed a folder named Windows.old on your system drive. In this updated guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to remove the Windows.old folder effectively and reclaim precious storage space on your Windows 10 computer.
Steps to Safely Remove Windows.old in Windows 10
When you upgrade to a more recent version of Windows without performing a clean installation, Windows creates the Windows.old folder as a backup. It contains files from the previous installation, including your old system files, programs, and user data. While this can be helpful if you need to roll back to the previous version, it may be unnecessary if you’re content with your current version of Windows and are looking to clear space.
Removing the Windows.old folder is safe if you no longer need to downgrade your operating system. Doing so can free up a significant amount of storage, but it’s essential to follow the correct procedures to ensure nothing goes wrong.
Understanding the Windows.old Folder
The Windows.old folder is found on your system drive (commonly the C: drive) and is created when you upgrade Windows without formatting or performing a fresh install. This folder houses previous versions of Windows system files, user data, and program files. It’s a fail-safe feature, enabling users to revert to the old Windows version if needed or recover specific files and programs from the backup.
Delete Windows.old Using Storage Sense Settings
One of the simplest ways to remove the Windows.old folder is through Storage Sense on Windows 10, with the following steps:
- Navigate to the ‘Settings’ app.
- Select ‘System’ and then ‘Storage’.
- Under the ‘Storage’ section, click ‘Configure Storage Sense or run it now’.
- In the ‘Free up space now’ area, tick the checkbox for ‘Delete previous version of Windows’.
- Press the ‘Clean Now’ button to initiate the cleanup.
Alternative Method: Temporary Files Settings
You can also opt to use the Temporary Files settings for removal:
- Open the ‘Settings’ application.
- Go to ‘System’ and select ‘Storage’.
- Under the ‘Storage’ section, click ‘Free up space now’.
- Select ‘Previous Windows Installation(s)’.
- If you only wish to remove Windows.old, deselect other preset options.
- Click on ‘Remove Files’ to proceed with the deletion.
Using Disk Cleanup to Erase Windows.old
Another reliable option is the Disk Cleanup tool, here’s how:
- Open File Explorer and go to ‘This PC’.
- Right-click on the drive where Windows 10 is installed (usually C: drive) and select ‘Properties’.
- Under the ‘General’ tab, locate and click the ‘Disk Cleanup’ button.
- Click on ‘Clean up system files’.
- Select ‘Previous Windows Installation(s)’ and uncheck other options if necessary.
- Hit ‘OK’, then ‘Delete Files’ to confirm the deletion process.
- Confirm any prompts to execute the deletion.
Final Thoughts on Removing the Windows.old Folder
By following this tutorial, you can successfully remove the Windows.old folder from your Windows 10 PC, making room for new files and system updates. If you have questions or encounter issues, don’t hesitate to seek further assistance through the provided contact options. Your feedback and sharing of this guide with others are greatly appreciated!
