Can Windows (old) folder be deleted

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  1. Posts : 1
    Windows 10
       #1

    Can Windows (old) folder be deleted


    Can the "Windows (old)" folder be deleted safely?

    I only have a 128g ssd for my operating system, and 25gig is being taken up by a folder called Windows (old)

    I would like to free up some space.
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  2. Posts : 325
    Windows 10 Pro
       #2

    The Windows old folder can be safely deleted but Microsoft gives you 30 days to change you mind and go back to Wn 7 or Win 8. If you delete it before the 30 days you can not go back. If you are sure you want to stay with Win 10 it is safe to delete. If you are not sure use Win 10 for a week or two and then make up your mind.
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  3. Posts : 27,162
    Win11 Pro, Win10 Pro N, Win10 Home, Windows 8.1 Pro, Ubuntu
       #3

    Do not do it directly, but use Disk Cleanup run as administrator.
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  4. Posts : 703
    Windows 10 Pro x64
       #4

    TrustMe said:
    The Windows old folder can be safely deleted but Microsoft gives you 30 days to change you mind and go back to Wn 7 or Win 8. If you delete it before the 30 days you can not go back.
    You can still go back to your old os without windows.old. You can also go back to your old os after 30 days. In both scenarios, you just do a clean install of your old os.
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  5. Posts : 68,652
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
       #5

    Hello WolfCreek, and welcome to Ten Forums. :)

    In addition: https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/2...dows-10-a.html
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  6. Posts : 325
    Windows 10 Pro
       #6

    WhyMe said:
    You can still go back to your old os without windows.old. You can also go back to your old os after 30 days. In both scenarios, you just do a clean install of your old os.
    You can go back but all your settings and programs will be lost.
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  7. Posts : 384
    Window 10
       #7

    Brink, I ran the process described in the tutorial. I still have two folders (with subfolders and files) remaining, and when I use the elevated command prompt process I get access denied. I took ownership of both folders and full control permissions, but when I try to delete some of them I get denied because the file is in use. For example, in the Windows.old>Program Files>en-US folder the wmpnetwk.exe.mui file (the only one in it) will not delete saying that the file is open by the Windows Media sharing process. The other folder under Program Files is Windows Defender with seven files in it. (I'm hesitant to mess with these because I'm nervous because of the Windows Defender folder and not wanting to mess anything up). There second of the two folders just under Windows.old is Windows with 1,470 files in it. Any advice?
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 68,652
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
       #8

    PJLLB said:
    Brink, I ran the process described in the tutorial. I still have two folders (with subfolders and files) remaining, and when I use the elevated command prompt process I get access denied. I took ownership of both folders and full control permissions, but when I try to delete some of them I get denied because the file is in use. For example, in the Windows.old>Program Files>en-US folder the wmpnetwk.exe.mui file (the only one in it) will not delete saying that the file is open by the Windows Media sharing process. The other folder under Program Files is Windows Defender with seven files in it. (I'm hesitant to mess with these because I'm nervous because of the Windows Defender folder and not wanting to mess anything up). There second of the two folders just under Windows.old is Windows with 1,470 files in it. Any advice?
    Anything in Windows.old is safe to delete if you don't want it.

    You might see if you could delete it at boot using a command prompt at boot opened from installation media while it's not in use.

    https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/2...a.html#option3
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  9. Posts : 325
    Windows 10 Pro
       #9

    I belong to another forum and got this procedure from there. It was posted by Zardoc
    I followed this and it worked great. Hope it helps.

    Delete Windows.OLD Folder


    Boot in system recovery options and run this command (command line: C:\Windows\System32\shutdown.exe -r -o -f -t 02 -c "Restart 2 seconds!!")
    Go to Click/tap on Advanced options.
    Command Prompt


    diskpart
    list volume
    Check and make sure the drive letter of your windows 10 drive.
    exit
    RD /S /Q "C:\Windows.old"


    (C= Win root)
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 68,652
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
       #10

    TrustMe said:
    I belong to another forum and got this procedure from there. It was posted by Zardoc
    I followed this and it worked great. Hope it helps.

    Delete Windows.OLD Folder


    Boot in system recovery options and run this command (command line: C:\Windows\System32\shutdown.exe -r -o -f -t 02 -c "Restart 2 seconds!!")
    Go to Click/tap on Advanced options.
    Command Prompt


    diskpart
    list volume
    Check and make sure the drive letter of your windows 10 drive.
    exit
    RD /S /Q "C:\Windows.old"


    (C= Win root)
    Yep, that's what I posted above for OPTION THREE below. :)

    https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/2...a.html#option3
      My Computers


 

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