Just Wondering if its safe to delete Windows.old file

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  1. Posts : 113
    Win10 Pro 64bit
       #1

    Just Wondering if its safe to delete Windows.old file


    talking about the windows.old file that was created after the not so long ago major update...

    just realized my HDD is starting to take a tanking and that folder is taking up a good chunk of space! hence why im wondering if it should be okey to remove or not.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 68,663
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
       #2

    Hello DiBBz,

    If there's nothing in there you want to keep, and you don't plan on going back to the previous Windows installation within 30 days if you upgraded from say Windows 7/8, then it's safe to delete. :)

    https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/2...dows-10-a.html
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 5,702
    insider build 10586.3 win10 pro 64
       #3

    i remove mine all the time ,I use a acer switch 10, with only 32 gig hdd, so mine is gone as soon as i feel the latest update/upgrade of win10 is working ok ,
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 113
    Win10 Pro 64bit
    Thread Starter
       #4

    Brink said:
    Hello DiBBz,

    If there's nothing in there you want to keep, and you don't plan on going back to the previous Windows installation within 30 days if you upgraded from say Windows 7/8, then it's safe to delete. :)

    https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/2...dows-10-a.html
    im not talking about upgrades.. i upgraded to win 10 about a month or so after it was aviable for download... im talking about the recent update that required my hole system to go into a massive update sequence...

    copying files and transferring them to the new build and re-downloading drivers etc etc

    this caused me to get a windows.old file and hence i was asking the question.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 5,702
    insider build 10586.3 win10 pro 64
       #5

    DiBBz said:
    im not talking about upgrades.. i upgraded to win 10 about a month or so after it was aviable for download... im talking about the recent update that required my hole system to go into a massive update sequence...

    copying files and transferring them to the new build and re-downloading drivers etc etc

    this caused me to get a windows.old file and hence i was asking the question.
    basically the same thing i'm talking about ,if you remove it you will not be able to go back to before the major upgrade . if you have issues with win10,

    I remove my via windows disk cleanup ,it have reappeared after a major bild upgrade, and I just remove it again ..
    right click on the folder and check properties to show how big the files are
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 5,702
    insider build 10586.3 win10 pro 64
       #6

    what ,version /build are you up to now, right click on the windows icon and open RUN ,type in , winver

    https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/2...mber-find.html
    Last edited by Brink; 29 Dec 2015 at 20:06. Reason: added tutorial link for more info
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 68,663
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
       #7

    DiBBz said:
    im not talking about upgrades.. i upgraded to win 10 about a month or so after it was aviable for download... im talking about the recent update that required my hole system to go into a massive update sequence...

    copying files and transferring them to the new build and re-downloading drivers etc etc

    this caused me to get a windows.old file and hence i was asking the question.
    That' fine. You can use the same tutorial to delete the Windows.old folder. :)
      My Computers


  8. Posts : 113
    Win10 Pro 64bit
    Thread Starter
       #8

    caperjack said:
    what ,version /build are you up to now, right click on the windows icon and open RUN ,type in , winver

    https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/2...mber-find.html
    build 10586 - 10.0.10586
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 92
    Windows 10
       #9

    Bottom line it's the same folder you would get after an upgrade from Windows 7 to 8 or Windows 8 to 10. The recent Windows Update created the same folder so you could roll back the update if you wanted to.

    Deleting it is perfectly safe. You might just want to make sure there aren't any programs or files you need in there before doing so, however.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 113
    Win10 Pro 64bit
    Thread Starter
       #10

    hi again and thanks again for the quick feedback...

    ive took the time over the holidays to backup everything etc... and im just now realizing that im running into problems deleting the folder. cant fully delete it because certain sub-folders like system etc wont allow you to delete it.
      My Computer


 

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