can i delete "windows old files" ?


  1. Posts : 1,223
    Windows 10
       #1

    can i delete "windows old files" ?


    i noticed my pc's memory is very depleted. i got rid of some programs i dont use...didnt help. so i ran disk cleanup and it found 28GB of junk, but after an hour, my patience soon ran out and didnt complete said scan. and even though the windows old files are over 8GB, i might have to test patience once again. what do you think

    can i delete "windows old files" ?-os.jpgcan i delete "windows old files" ?-windows-old-8gb.jpg
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 17,661
    Windows 10 Pro
       #2

    Windows.old is a folder created by an upgrade. It contains the data required for a so called roll back, restoring the previous version of Windows. It can be deleted, by default it should be automatically deleted ten days after upgrade, when restoring previous version is no longer possible.

    See tutorial: Delete Windows.old Folder in Windows 10 Windows 10 Installation Upgrade Tutorials

    Kari
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 1,223
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #3

    salutations kari, i think i will go ahead and delete that folder, possibly early tomorrow morning, it will take maybe 2-3 hours at most to complete. i have a system update waiting to be installed, set for friday... wondering if thats the creators update? and if so, i need extra space to accomendate
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 18,483
    Windows 11 Pro
       #4

    You say your computer's "memory" is very depleted, then post a screenshot that shows you have 406 GB free of 465 GB on the hard drive. And you want to delete files to fix "memory" depletion?

    Umm...none of that makes sense, respectfully.

    The term memory normally refers to RAM - Random Access Memory. Your specs show you have 3.91 GB of RAM. So I am guessing the computer has 4 GB RAM installed and you are probably running 32-Bit Windows 10. Deleting files from the hard drive will not help "memory" depletion, if we are talking about RAM. You would need to install more RAM, and make sure to be running Windows 10 64-bit to use it. Or - your computer may actually have more RAM installed and if you are running 32-Bit Windows 10, it is only seeing 3.91 GB of it and just need to install 64-Bit Windows to see and use the rest of it.

    Now, if by the term "memory" you mean the hard drive. You are only using 13% of your hard drive. You have 87% free space left. There are very few of us here that would consider that depleted. That's like being at 3/4 tank of gas in the car and saying you are running out of gas.
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  5. Posts : 1,223
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Hi, im on my tablet now, iam in process of running disk cleanup on pc, deleting 17GB of junk. Should be finished in an hour or two.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 18,483
    Windows 11 Pro
       #6

    Pathfinder said:
    Hi, im on my tablet now, iam in process of running disk cleanup on pc, deleting 17GB of junk. Should be finished in an hour or two.
    See my edit to post #4 please. You already have 87% free space on the hard drive. I mean I certainly don't like junk files on my system either....but your hard drive is far from "depleted" in free space.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 1,223
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #7

    *back on the pc... as you requested. lets face it, iam always worried (paranoid) of how much space I have left. its a constant daily issue.

    can i delete "windows old files" ?-c.jpg
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 57,009
    Multi-boot Windows 10/11 - RTM, RP, Beta, and Insider
       #8

    Pathfinder said:
    *back on the pc... as you requested. lets face it, iam always worried (paranoid) of how much space I have left. its a constant daily issue.

    can i delete "windows old files" ?-c.jpg
    Malcolm, why don't you shrink that 465 down to around 64GB for your OS, and make another partition for data?

    And pardon, but what is the space issue?
      My Computers


  9. Posts : 1,223
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #9

    f14tomcat said:
    Malcolm, why don't you shrink that 465 down to around 64GB for your OS, and make another partition for data?

    And pardon, but what is the space issue?
    that suggestion is pending. as for space issue.. the latest figure shows marked improvement.. I have more space than before - odd!

    can i delete "windows old files" ?-c.jpg
      My Computer


 

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