Question about deleting old Windows Versions

Paul Black said:

Hello @Maghdalena,

You could of course, BEFORE you do anything, either copy the Windows.old folder to an external HDD/SSD, or create a System Image. This will allow any information, if needed, to be retrievable.

I hope this helps.

Where do I find the Windows.old folder. I looked in the C: drive and it wasn't there. I'm assuming it was automatically deleted? My C: Drive is in the blue (not red) and has 11 GB of storage space left. Does that mean it's gone. I'n not having any trouble with the 20H2 Feature update.

I believe that windows.old is a hidden folder. You may need to make sure that that in File Explorer options you have selected the option to show hidden files and folders.

hsehestedt said:

Maghdalena, Windows 10 20H2 is indeed an updated version of Windows 10. In fact, it is two versions newer than 1909.

Once you know that everything is running fine in the updated version of Windows, there is no need to keep the old files around any longer.

Here is a straightforward way to clean up some space on your computer:

Press the Windows Key + R, type "cleanmgr" (without the quotes), and then press <ENTER>. This will open the Disk Cleanup tool. If prompted to select a drive, choose C:.

My recommendation would be to check all the boxes. These are all things that are safe to delete. After doing so, click on the "Clean up system files" button. If prompted to select a drive, choose C: again.

Select the "More Options" tab. Under "System Restore and Shadow Copies" click the "Clean up..." button. When prompted if you are sure, click on the "Delete" button. Click "OK". You may again be prompted for confirmation. Click on "Delete Files".

This may take a little while. Just allow the process to complete.

That should free up space for you.

You may also want to enable "Storage Sense" to do a little automatic housekeeping for you. To do so, follow these steps:

Click on Start > Settings > System > Storage. Turn on the Storage Sense option.

I hope that this helps. If you have any questions, do let us know.

I got the main stuff with the cleanmgr, and I have more room, but I'm still not sure about the restore points. Is it really for me to delete the restore points. I kind of froze there. Not too sure about that. Can I go ahead and get it or do I need to save a copy or what? Not so worried about the Shadow Copies, but more than a little twitchy about the restore points. :)

cereberus said:

It is not a hidden folder.

Thanks, wasn't sure. I have no systems with such a folder so I had no way to check for sure.

hsehestedt said:

I believe that windows.old is a hidden folder. You may need to make sure that that in File Explorer options you have selected the option to show hidden files and folders.

OK, I checked the hidden folders, so it's not there either, so I"m guessing it was deleted. :)