Is it safe to delete windows.old after spring update

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  1. treblefree
    Posts : 217
    windows 8.1 pro
       New #1

    Is it safe to delete windows.old after spring update


    After updating to Spring Update..installation went ok but my pc rebooted to spinning dots for hours.
    Out of frustration i did a pc reset..now everthing is ok.A couples of questions...

    Can i delete Windows.old folder and another folder called Windows 10 upgrade...say after a week?
    and when i delete above folders..and have to do another pc reset ( hope not ) ..what OS would be on my pc...?
    Windows 10 with Spring Update or Windows Spring Update..i'm confused..would i have re-install Windows 10
    then install Spring Update again ?

    Thank you
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  3. Brink
    Posts : 68,954
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
       New #2

    Hello treblefree, :)

    The official name is "Windows 10 April 2018 Update".

    Windows 10 April 2018 Update now available Monday, April 30 - Windows 10 Forums

    The Windows10Upgrade folder is safe to delete now if you like. It gets created when you install the Windows 10 Update Assistant to update to the latest version of Windows 10.

    Delete Windows10Upgrade Folder in Windows 10 Windows 10 Tutorials

    If you delete the Windows.old folder, you will no longer be able to go back to the previous version of Windows. If this is not a concern for you, then it's safe to delete the Windows.old folder.

    Delete Windows.old Folder in Windows 10 Windows 10 Tutorials
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  4. swarfega
    Posts : 7,254
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
       New #3

    If you're happy all your personal files are present, yes you can delete it, use the tutorial above to delete it properly.
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  6. wjay
    Posts : 34
    windows 10
       New #4

    I would not delete .old just yet I am finding the new update is really slow loading apps and generally on Firefox(my preference) and Edge . I unfortunately deleted mine without thinking about it and now cannot go back to any previous version .
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  7. treblefree
    Posts : 217
    windows 8.1 pro
    Thread Starter
       New #5

    Thanks for reply member.I deleted Windows 10 upgrade folder...pc rebooted ok..no issues.I downloaded Media Creation Tool to put Spring Update on USB drive..When i ran tool it states i need at least 8gb on drive..but i the usb i have is a 32gb !...and when i checked the properties it states 2.28mb !!...reformatted it...still states 2.28mb !...there's nothing on it....is it dud ?

    I have ordered another 32gb drive anyway...

    I will wait until this usb drive arrives and put Spring update on it...then delete Windows.old folder
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  8. EdTittel
    Posts : 4,224
    Windows 10
       New #6

    Unless you're really short on disk space or have a known, good working image backup of the previous Win10 edition, there's nothing wrong with leaving Windows.old alone on your hard disk or SSD. It will be automagically removed at the start of the 11th day after you installed the latest/current version anyway.
    FWIW, the second thing I do after a feature upgrade is to run Macrium Reflect to create a fresh, new image backup. The first thing I do is to run disk cleanup, DriverStore Explorer, UnCleaner, PatchCleaner, and DISM /online /cleanup-image /startcomponentcleanup.
    HTH,
    --Ed--
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  9. kcmichaelb
    Posts : 22
    Windows 10 Pro 64 bit
       New #7

    My personal plan has been to create a system image prior to any major update. I have 3 computers and it's minimal time lost if the update fails. I also use file history and Onedrive for docs, music, photos...etc.

    So far so good on the Windows 10 April 2018 Update and I have not deleted any windows.old folders as of yet.
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  10. Bree
    Posts : 31,660
    10 Home x64 (22H2) (10 Pro on 2nd pc)
       New #8

    EdTittel said:
    FWIW, the second thing I do after a feature upgrade is to run Macrium Reflect to create a fresh, new image backup. The first thing I do is to run disk cleanup, DriverStore Explorer, UnCleaner, PatchCleaner, and DISM /online /cleanup-image /startcomponentcleanup.
    So do I, or at least something very similar ...but they are my third and seconds things to do.

    The first and most important is to make sure I have an up to date system image of the machine as it stood before applying the Features Update - so I can go back if it all goes pear-shaped :)
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  12. EdTittel
    Posts : 4,224
    Windows 10
       New #9

    @Bree: of course you're absolutely correct that an image prior to big changes is a must. I skipped that step because I took it as a given. I routinely make a backup every night at 10 PM on a schedule. If I've made changes between that last backup and when I get started with an upgrade/update or other big change, I'll make another one before kicking any such thing off. Thanks for reminding all of us that a safe haven to which one can return is the best start to any journey where we might not end up in a good place along the way!
    --Ed--
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  13. Bree
    Posts : 31,660
    10 Home x64 (22H2) (10 Pro on 2nd pc)
       New #10

    EdTittel said:
    @Bree: of course you're absolutely correct that an image prior to big changes is a must. I skipped that step because I took it as a given...
    Sadly, not all users are as aware as you are. Some don't realise the value of imaging until they learn the hard way....
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