Backup / move Windows.old file


  1. Posts : 167
    XP / 10 Pro
       #1

    Backup / move Windows.old file


    I was going to clone my HP laptop hard drive, but first I want to move the huge folder, "Windows.old" to a NVMe hard dive (in enclosure) for archiving.
    I tried to CUT and PASTE into the external HD, but seems it did not all move over ,or only some parts.
    The folder "windows.old" was created Sept 7, 2020 by the way.

    Any trick to get the Windows.old off the C drive into a portable hard drive?

    Windows version 21H1
    19043.1526

    I like this version just fine.
    Last edited by Gibbs; 25 Apr 2023 at 11:46.
      My Computers


  2. Posts : 989
    Windows 10 Pro
       #2

    Right click drag and select copy /move
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 45,607
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #3

    Hi, if it really was created that long ago, that would suggest your Windows installation is way out of date- not upgraded since then. (Noted you say you have 21H1).

    Further, normally it's deleted 10 days after the upgrade automatically.


    Now Windows.old allows you to revert to the previous build- but only up to 10 days after upgrading. And you say you're happy with 21H1. So why would you wish to keep it?
    How to Delete Windows.old and $Windows.~BT folders in Windows 10
    Last edited by dalchina; 25 Apr 2023 at 12:39.
      My Computers


  4. Posts : 18,032
    Win 10 Pro 64-bit v1909 - Build 18363 Custom ISO Install
       #4

    Hello @Gibbs,

    Out of interest, why do you want to keep it ?

    You will be better off creating a System Image.

    Have a look at this > How to Delete Windows.old and $Windows.~BT folders in Windows 10. I know it refers to deleting it, but it also says that the Windows.old folder gets automatically deleted after ten days anyway.

    The Windows.old folder contains a copy of the previous Windows installation, so that is why I suggested creating a System Image.

    I hope this helps.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 5,030
    several
       #5

    It can be done from booted media, winpe/re etc.

    From inside windows one easy way is with dism++ file explorer. Click it and a browse window opens which will let you move/delete etc similar to what you could do when booted into winpe. Another way is with nsudo, but dism++ is simpler.

    https://github.com/Chuyu-Team/Dism-M....1.1002.1B.zip

    Backup / move Windows.old file-dism-fileexplorer.jpg
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 167
    XP / 10 Pro
    Thread Starter
       #6

    I followed the links and used the option of "Settings" and "Storage" and deleted the previous Windows installation folder. It is now gone.
    I also downloaded a batch file to delete that $WINDOWS.~BT folder but it i not nearly as large (69 GB) as was the Windows.old file.
    I guess I have not had a reason to use that windows.old folder for some time, so might as well delete it.

    Often my wife and I wish we had stayed with Windows 8.1 pro.
      My Computers


 

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