Windows 10: Old Windows left after re-install

I had to reinstall Win10 Pro 64 after boot sector failure. I have been left with a Directory in my C drive containing a huge amount of Windows files etc named 'Windows.old' this contains the following directories, 'Program Files, Recovery (empty), Users and Windows. This directory is huge, 20.3Gb containing in excess of 230,000 files.

This is taking up valuable space on my SSD which is unacceptable.

My question is simple. Can I safely remove this directory? I have been advised that should I do so then I will end up repeating the reinstall exercise ad infinitum as the offending directory will keep reappearing.

Is a completely new install with a clean formatted 'C' my only option?

Thanks in advance for any help or suggestions

Tim

:)

 

Win 10 Anniversary Update Stuck on Reboot

My notebook for the 5th try, is still running the old version of windows 10

Powered my notebook down. Forced during reboot. Removed the battery and left it off for several minutes. Powered up without the battery and it went to perpetual reboot again. After one hour I forced stop again, re-installed battery and powered up. It then reverted
back to old version of windows 10.

 

ASUS T100A webcam not working after update to windows 10 ver 1607

My webcam has stopped working again after the update to 1607. This happened with the last major update as well but last time I re-installed the old drivers and it solved the problem. Re-installing the old drivers didn't work this time so I am left wondering.
I can't rollback to the previous version of windows because I had to delete it for space reasons on my hard drive.

The webcam drivers report working correctly in the device manager but applications such as Skype do not detect any webcam installation.

Any suggestions welcome

John

 

This will be deleted automatically probably 10 days after upgrading. It is there to support reverting to the previous version.

Otherwise a simple search resolves the issue.

Here's a tutorial from the Tutorial section, which you're free to browse and search.
Delete Windows.old Folder in Windows 10 Windows 10 Installation Upgrade Tutorials

Note that Macrium Reflect's boot disk (or Macrium on Kyhi's boot disk available at the top of the Software and Apps section) offers a useful Fix Boot feature.

 

Welcome to TenForums @Wobblybootie

Dalchina has answered 'how' to remove windows.old, the question remains 'why' you had one.

How did you reinstall Windows? From your own media? or from the manufacturer's 'reset to factory' procedure? Either way you may have installed a previous version (1607 or 1511). On first boot and checking for updates the Creators Update may have downloaded and upgraded this to the current version 1703. Check what version you have now with Winver, the latest is 1703, os build 15063.332.

Elsewhere on this forum there are reports of brand new 'out of the box' PCs having a windows.old. Seems that, rather than develop a new image each time Microsoft releases the next version, some OEMs are still supplying PCs with 1511 images on them that upgrade themselves to 1703 when first turned on.

 

My Winver shows 1607 (OS Build 14393.118), and I am told I am up to date ??

 

@Stevekir - different issue. Same as mine. I have 'Defer feature updates' set (= don't give me the CU - Win 10 Pro).

If you're not due the CU by Windows update, or have done the above, that's fine.