Windows 10: Just Wondering if its safe to delete Windows.old file

talking about the windows.old file that was created after the not so long ago major update...

just realized my HDD is starting to take a tanking and that folder is taking up a good chunk of space! hence why im wondering if it should be okey to remove or not.

:)

 

Windows 10 Failure to start

No need to delete. The System will delete it on its own, in due time. Please store the recovered Data/Fotos externaly, on a Stick, Cloud or DVD. Then you are on the safe side, that it wasn't just a shortcut to the Windows.old file, which will be wiped
by the System, at some stage.

 

Should I delete windows.old folder?

I recently upgraded to windows 10 and I figured out that a folder named windows.old is present in C drive having very large file size. I just want to know that is it safe to delete it and if no then what are its consequences??

 

Hello DiBBz,

If there's nothing in there you want to keep, and you don't plan on going back to the previous Windows installation within 30 days if you upgraded from say Windows 7/8, then it's safe to delete. *Smile

https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/2...dows-10-a.html

 

i remove mine all the time ,I use a acer switch 10, with only 32 gig hdd, so mine is gone as soon as i feel the latest update/upgrade of win10 is working ok ,

 

im not talking about upgrades.. i upgraded to win 10 about a month or so after it was aviable for download... im talking about the recent update that required my hole system to go into a massive update sequence...

copying files and transferring them to the new build and re-downloading drivers etc etc

this caused me to get a windows.old file and hence i was asking the question.

 

basically the same thing i'm talking about ,if you remove it you will not be able to go back to before the major upgrade . if you have issues with win10,

I remove my via windows disk cleanup ,it have reappeared after a major bild upgrade, and I just remove it again ..
right click on the folder and check properties to show how big the files are

 

what ,version /build are you up to now, right click on the windows icon and open RUN ,type in , winver

https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/2...mber-find.html

 

That' fine. You can use the same tutorial to delete the Windows.old folder. *Smile

 

build 10586 - 10.0.10586

 

Bottom line it's the same folder you would get after an upgrade from Windows 7 to 8 or Windows 8 to 10. The recent Windows Update created the same folder so you could roll back the update if you wanted to.

Deleting it is perfectly safe. You might just want to make sure there aren't any programs or files you need in there before doing so, however.

 

hi again and thanks again for the quick feedback...

ive took the time over the holidays to backup everything etc... and im just now realizing that im running into problems deleting the folder. cant fully delete it because certain sub-folders like system etc wont allow you to delete it.

 

DiBBz, *Smile

If you haven't already, you might see if you may be able to delete the Windows.old folder using OPTION THREE below.

https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/2...dows-10-a.html

If that fails, then you might see if the free program Unlocker may allow you to.

 

I use Unlocker to do it - It's a good app, but anyone wanting to install it should do it from the MajorGeeks page for it, I posted how to avoid getting the Babylon virus, which comes with a toolbar that's opt in- It's easy to opt out of it, just use custom or advanced install and uncheck all of the items for "delta toolbar".

 

I was always able to remove it when I used the windows feature to remove system files ,, I'm using a acer switch ,with 32gig ,and need the space so I have removed it every time it reappears , with just a right click /delete of the folder