Windows 10: Why would a new Laptop have an upgraded version of Windows 10?

We really have no idea why, you should contact the seller, as suggested.

 

In BIOS:
Born on date: 3/18/2017 - the day I took it out of the box.
Factory Installed OS: Win10

 

How: If you take a brand new system that had 1607 on it from new, then click 'Update now' here...
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/soft...load/windows10
...it will run the upgrade assistant to reinstall the same version, making a windows.old in the process.

Why: who knows, but it's not really 'brand new' any more - it would be better described as 'refurbished'.

 

I would just make sure it`s fully updated and then delete the windows.old folder.

Use Disk Cleanup as Admin and click Clean up system files.

 

Think he's been thru all that.

Why would a new Laptop have an upgraded version of Windows 10?

 

I NEVER buy ANY Computers, Drives, etc. from Amazon. Most listed as "NEW", sold by third party seller are almost all used, old or refurbished "junk". Just read the REVIEWS of the product, look at the one star reviews. Some seller had the guts to sell a "used" 500 GB HDD with a label slapped on it reading 4 TB. Also, beware of China Clones.

 

OK, some info.

I checked out the HP Forum and there are a LOT of questions about that windows.old folder.
So I think this is an HP "thing".
Sage advice from HP: If you are happy with Windows 10, delete the folder.
Thanks.

My pure speculation:
I know that PC manufacturers use a disk image to batch load hard drives for any particular model. They are not going to pay some dude to sit and clean install the OS on each machine.
So I'm thinking they haven't gotten around (at HP) to updating their licensed image file. Probably still using the original version 15xx OS.
They set up the Upgrade Assistant software so the OS updates on first start (maybe?).
That might explain why "installing updates" took over an hour when I first started it up and went through the initial setup screens.

Feel free to tell me I'm nuts.

 

No, that sound a plausible 'Why' - and an hour is about right for the upgrade to 1607.

 

Bingo!
The remnants of the windows.old folder contain 2 drivers and will not delete normally.

Will do Safe Mode deletion, but wondering if those drivers are actually being used/are necessary.
I tried to just copy the folder to a thumb drive as a backup plan, but it won't copy either.
What do y'all think of this?

 

No, not necessary. Windows has a teeny buggy-boo (surprise!) where it's still pointing to that driver, even though it's been updated in the real Windows/system32/drivers. Probably an audio driver, that's what I've always found. Gotta go in thru the backdoor.

 

Well, that was 'fun'.
Folder wouldn't delete in Safe Mode, even when changing Permissions and taking Ownership of the entire drive!

Fired up an Ubuntu stick and killed it that way.

Then, had the dreaded .Trash-999 folder when I booted back into Windows.
Fortunately that deleted without any voodoo magic.

All is good now.

 

I'd be concerned it might have been a returned item from a previous user. Just a guess.

 

I second this. I would almost put money on the fact that it upgraded on the first boot after being removed from the box and thats why you had that bit of an anamoly. I wouldnt be concerned.

 

I'm not. All indications are that it is a new machine. Just a weird way of delivering it by a major company.

 

UPDATE: I set up a brand new Lenovo laptop this past weekend. Same thing. Windows.old folder and Windows10UpgradeAssistant installed.

It's a thing.