Delete the Windows.old Folder and Save Space (Again)

[Julio Franco]

To keep on the safe side, Microsoft's install setup saves a full copy of your current Windows installation (that's the Windows.old directory right there), and while this will come handy in case something goes wrong or you need to revert back, it will also occupy several gigabytes of precious storage.

Read the full article here.

https://www.techspot.com/guides/1219-delete-windows-old-folder/

 

[fktech]

YUK!

 

[Diegocamp]

Thanks, guys! You just saved me 25GB os SSD storage space!

 

[kick2head]

Once you already have the Windows 10 upgrade, you can create a USB installation with Windows 10 via software freely available on the Microsoft site (You need to be registered as having the upgrade). I did this and was able to completely wipe my drive clean of all data and partitions. I created a new partition and was able to install a "Full" Windows 10 install for free, without re-installing the original OEM operating system, in my case it was Windows 7, make sure you choose the "Home" version if you got the free upgrade. When I did the upgrade I had a lot of bugs and glitches, now with a full install my Windows 10 installation is running perfectly and there is no Windows.old folder because I didn't upgrade. Just putting this out there for those who don't know that this is an available option.

 

[cliffordcooley]

make sure you choose the "Home" version if you got the free upgrade.

No! Make sure you choose the edition you are upgrading (or did upgrade) from.

 

[Mike100]

Faster way from Microsoft help:
1. In the search box on the taskbar, type Settings, then select it from the list of results.
2. Select System > Storage  > This PC, then scroll down the list and select Temporary files.
3. Under Previous version of Windows, select Delete previous versions, then select Delete.

 

[hahahanoobs]

Thank you. I was able to remove 16GB of old installation and temp files.

 

[Julio Franco]

Faster way from Microsoft help:
1. In the search box on the taskbar, type Settings, then select it from the list of results.
2. Select System > Storage  > This PC, then scroll down the list and select Temporary files.
3. Under Previous version of Windows, select Delete previous versions, then select Delete.

Indeed, that works, too. Be careful what you select however because it lists your downloads folder within the temporary files and you may be storing valuable stuff there you just haven't moved elsewhere yet.

 

[Phr3d]

Using Touch on all of those check boxes looks as unfriendly as ever (fat finger touch results in check one, UN check the one above/below for those wondering), among other UI issues with Win 10 in a Touch only environment (and having it reset to defaults after is irritating as well).
Member of the Preview, and disheartened about the rhetoric regarding input/suggestions from that program improving the Win 10 experience. Guessing that there are too few Touch only users to move the needle, as, in That environment, the Win 10 Microsoft apps' UI is a PITA at times.

 

[Nobina]

Delete the new Windows folder while you're at it.

 

[GeforcerFX]

Once you already have the Windows 10 upgrade, you can create a USB installation with Windows 10 via software freely available on the Microsoft site (You need to be registered as having the upgrade). I did this and was able to completely wipe my drive clean of all data and partitions. I created a new partition and was able to install a "Full" Windows 10 install for free, without re-installing the original OEM operating system, in my case it was Windows 7, make sure you choose the "Home" version if you got the free upgrade. When I did the upgrade I had a lot of bugs and glitches, now with a full install my Windows 10 installation is running perfectly and there is no Windows.old folder because I didn't upgrade. Just putting this out there for those who don't know that this is an available option.

yeah the digital license has been a thing since launch. But now they actually attach your license to a Microsoft account, I just moved the same license between 4 computers with different hardware no issues, was kinda amazed.

 

[ET3D]

Thanks. I noticed the folder, though if it's automatically deleted after a while I have no problem waiting for that to happen.

 

[corb06]

Thanks!! Saved 26 gb space on my precious SSD

 

[nismo91]

Also, if you are running dated tablet with very limited space like I did with my 16GB tab, you can insert a flash drive that will be occupied during the upgrade, and will let you install the update despite running out of C: space. Windows update assistant app says it doesn't work but just let the download continue in the settings page.

after all that, run disk cleanup for C: and the occupied space in your flash drive will be deleted altogether.

 

[p51d007]

Don't forget the C:\Windows10Upgrade folder. It's not that big, but it's just wasting space.

 

[learninmypc]

Thank you

 

[NahNood]

Another disk space saver: If you had hibernation disabled before the upgrade, it probably got turned on again. Disable it again in an admin command prompt to get back another 12gb or so. ( command is powercfg -h off )

 

[cliffordcooley]

If you had hibernation disabled before the upgrade, it probably got turned on again.

You are correct. I did have Hibernation turned off and it is once again turned on.

 

[cartera]

Ignore this - not sure how I thought this was a new article.

 

[mailpup]

Ignore this - not sure how I thought this was a new article.

No, it's not a new article but it has been updated and revised this week.

 

[Julio Franco]

Yes, the article got revised, new screenshots added, and text updated for Fall Creators Update.