How to Delete the Windows.old Folder from Windows 10
Published by Timothy Tibbetts on 04/15/2020
During large Windows Upgrades, you might have noticed a large Windows.old folder left behind. This folder can often take up over 20GB. The good news is that it can be safely deleted.
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Attempts to delete the folder manually will give you dozens of errors and locked files. Many third-party apps, like CCleaner, can't remove all of the files and folders, although they claim to.
We've seen numerous ways to do this on the internet, but there are two good options here.
1: Delete the Windows.old Folder Using Storage Sense
Many will recall there used to be a setting to delete old windows installation files included Windows Disk Cleanup, but it has been moved and can now be found in the new "Storage Sense."
Type Windows+S and type Storage and choose Storage Sense. You can also go to Settings, Storage.
Click on Change how we free up space and scroll down until you see Delete previous versions of Windows. Finally, click on Clean now, and the folder and it's contents are gone.
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2: Delete the Windows.old Folder When You Don't Have Storage Sense
Some people find they don't have Storage Sense. In this case press the Windows Key + S and type in Programs and click on Programs & Features.
Scroll down and find Windows 10 Upgrade Assistant and select Uninstall. The Windows.old folder should be removed after you've uninstalled the Windows 10 Upgrade Assistant.
If you used the Windows 10 Upgrade Assistant, it also left a Windows10Upgrade folder behind. Here's How to Delete the Windows10Upgrade Folder.
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TIP: Attempts to delete the folder manually will give you dozens of errors and locked files. Many third-party apps, like CCleaner, can't remove all of the files and folders, although they claim to.
We've seen numerous ways to do this on the internet, but there are two good options here.
1: Delete the Windows.old Folder Using Storage Sense
Many will recall there used to be a setting to delete old windows installation files included Windows Disk Cleanup, but it has been moved and can now be found in the new "Storage Sense."
Type Windows+S and type Storage and choose Storage Sense. You can also go to Settings, Storage.
Click on Change how we free up space and scroll down until you see Delete previous versions of Windows. Finally, click on Clean now, and the folder and it's contents are gone.
2: Delete the Windows.old Folder When You Don't Have Storage Sense
Some people find they don't have Storage Sense. In this case press the Windows Key + S and type in Programs and click on Programs & Features.
Scroll down and find Windows 10 Upgrade Assistant and select Uninstall. The Windows.old folder should be removed after you've uninstalled the Windows 10 Upgrade Assistant.
If you used the Windows 10 Upgrade Assistant, it also left a Windows10Upgrade folder behind. Here's How to Delete the Windows10Upgrade Folder.
comments powered by Disqus