Is it safe to delete Win7?

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

  1. Posts : 6
    Windows 10
       #1

    Is it safe to delete Win7?


    Hi, I installed Windows 10 Pro in 2015. My SSD is running out of room and I'd like to delete the folder "Win7" that was created when I installed 10. Is that safe to do?
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 30,119
    Windows 11 Pro x64 Version 23H2
       #2

    Hi Oshad. Welcome to the TenForums @Oshad

    If you are asking do you need Windows 7 to re-install Windows 10 the answer is no. Your machine has been recorded on the Microsoft servers and you can do a clean install of 10 using the media Microsoft provides at their download site.

    https://www.microsoft.com/en-ca/soft...load/windows10

    Ken
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 6
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Thanks, Ken. No, I installed Windows 10 in 2015 and have been using it just fine ever since. When I installed Win 10, the directions were to create a folder called Win7 with various old program files. I'd like to delete the folder "Win7" to free up much-needed space, but I don't want to make programs inoperable. So I guess I'm asking if Windows 10 uses the files it had me put in Win7 during the installation? Thanks!
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 30,119
    Windows 11 Pro x64 Version 23H2
       #4

    Not to my knowledge. Your Windows 10 is self sufficient.

    I was unaware of those directions, did these come from your PC maker? The upgrades I did created a "Fallback" process on its own, as the Feature updates do today. I also used a backup process in case things went down the drain.

    As a safety step you could create an image with a tool like Macrium Reflect. This gives you a recovery path.

    Backup and Restore with Macrium Reflect

    or you could rename the folder win7.old and test a few.


    Ken
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 6
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #5

    I'll give that a try and report back. Thanks!
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 983
    Windows 7/64 Professional
       #6

    Or you could just 'copy' the Windows 7 folder to a usb thumb drive. Verify the copy and remove the original from your system.

    You could run Disk Cleanup and see if it finds your old Windows 7. If so, you just check mark it and follow the instruction to remove it.

    This tutorial by Brink will guide you.

    Delete Windows.old Folder in Windows 10 Performance Maintenance Tutorials



    Jack.
      My Computers


  7. Posts : 6
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #7

    First: Thanks for all the help! Even though I'm the admin for my computer, I get this error message when I try to delete the file
    . Is it safe to delete Win7?-screenclip.png
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 983
    Windows 7/64 Professional
       #8

    If you are logged in as the administrator I really don't understand why you are getting the error.

    I'm very new to Windows 10 so I will not be able to help you with your permission problem.

    Sorry.

    Jack
      My Computers


  9. Posts : 6
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #9

    Thanks for trying!
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 30,119
    Windows 11 Pro x64 Version 23H2
       #10

    There is a tutorial on changing permissions. I imagining administrators are already listed.

    So I would think Option 5 for this folder would work.

    Change Permissions of Objects for Users and Groups in Windows 10

    Did you try disk cleanup as listed in a previous post by Jack
      My Computer


 

  Related Discussions
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 10 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 10" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

© Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 14:57.
Find Us




Windows 10 Forums