Should I delete the windows old folder? Removing old system folders
Have you upgraded your computer to Windows 10? If yes, then you must have noticed the Windows.old folder on your computer, and it occupies great amount space on your C drive. You may have even tried to delete it, but to no avail, as a window appears: “The folder cannot be accessed. To delete a folder, you must have administrator rights." Consequently, users have questions.
So, how to remove Windows.old and free up some disk space? Not difficult - but not like you would delete a regular folder.
I'll show you three methods that work, and they're all pretty simple, so choose the method that works best for you.
Windows.old - what is it and can it be deleted?
This folder contains the files necessary for Thus, if you delete the folder, you will not be able to then return to your previous OS, without the process clean install. So if you don't intend to restore old system and we are absolutely sure of this, then the Windows.old folder can be deleted and even necessary.
Well, if you are sticking with Windows 10, then read on. If you are thinking about returning to Windows 8.1 or 7, then let the folder sit until you make a final decision. However, remember that the decision you have exactly 30 days from the date of the system update. When the line expires, Windows will automatically remove Windows.old.
How to remove Windows.old: option 1 (wait)
You could just wait and do nothing - 30 days from upgrading to Windows 10. A built-in utility called Disk Cleanup will check your HDD and will automatically delete the folder. This is by far the simplest option.
Option 2 (disk cleanup)
If waiting is not an option for you, you can manually run the program Disk Cleanup to clear the disk of the Windows.old folder.
To do this, follow these steps:
Disk Cleanup will now remove Windows.old from your drive. This may take a few minutes, so be patient. Once completed, restarting the computer is not required.
Option 3 (command line)
If for some reason Disk Cleanup did not help, you can try deleting the Windows.old folder using Command Prompt.
Here's how to do it:
That's all. You should free up some disk space by deleting the Windows.old folder (I freed up 22GB). But remember, after this, you will not be able to roll back to Windows 8.1 or 7.
The computers of modern users have terabyte hard drives installed, but it often happens that there is still not enough free space. With a sharp and significant decrease in the volume of free disk space PC owners face this problem if they upgraded from Windows 7 or 8.1 to version 10.
The emerging Windows.old directory is to blame for this. This article will tell you about the procedure for deleting this folder, as well as what it serves and in what case you can get rid of it.
What is this directory and can it be deleted?
It appears after installing the OS if the disk is not formatted. The files remain in this directory previous Windows. In the usual way it cannot be deleted.
It should be noted that if the folder appeared after updating to Windows 10, then it may be required to roll back the system. In this case, it is recommended to delay getting rid of the catalog for at least one month (in case problems arise with the new axis).
If the user does not intend to return to the previous OS, Windows.old must be deleted, because This will free up a significant amount of memory.
First method to delete a folder
This method is the easiest to use. All inexperienced users can use this first method. In order to use it you need a program.
Algorithm for launching the utility:
- Through “Start”, enter “All Programs” and then go to “Accessories”;
- Then open “Utilities” and find the utility.
Unfortunately, this does not work if G8 is installed on the computer. Windows users 8 you need to follow these steps:
When the utility opens, the following actions will be the same in operating systems:
- Specify the files that need to be deleted. To do this, check the box next to "Previous Windows installations» and click on "OK"- \;
- Wait for the process to complete;
- Ready! Windows Directory old was successfully deleted.
Second removal method
This is a manual method to delete a folder.
In order to use it, you need rights to the Windows old folder, i.e. The uninstallation procedure is performed with computer administrator rights, and the administrator account must be with full access to the directory to be deleted.
After starting the system under the above “account”, the following steps should be taken sequentially:
Ready! Now, having entered through Explorer into the directory where the Windows old folder is located, you can simply delete it normal use"Delete" keys.
Hello, regular and new guests of my blog! Those of you who updated software on your computer, you probably noticed the appearance on drive C of a new unfamiliar directory under named Windows old, what kind of folder is this, I’ll tell you now.
What, why and why
Deleting a folder
If the folder is an eyesore and you don’t want to wait a month, then you can delete it too. In the Start menu, type “cmd” into the search and run the found program as administrator from the menu that opens with a right-click.
When prompted, allow the program to make changes on the computer. In the list that appears, select “Run as administrator”.
In the window that appears, enter the underlined command as indicated in the image.
It is done! Now all that remains from the folder are memories.
A simple conclusion can be drawn from this situation: to effectively manage your data and productive work You need to know a lot of subtleties and secrets when using a computer.
Personally, the course helped me a lot to increase the productivity of my activities “ Secrets of productive work at the computer ". I recommend that you pay attention to it and spend your time with maximum benefit, having time to have a good rest and be with loved ones.
Well, that's all, friends. I hope that the article is clear, detailed and useful for you. Follow extra rubbish and don’t forget to clean your workspace and computer regularly. And also try not to clutter your head with low-quality information!
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A novice user who is faced with the question of reinstalling the operating system for the first time usually skips the formatting step system disk computer.
As a result, after the process of reinstalling the operating system has been successfully completed, the user may find an incomprehensible directory on his computer called Windows OLD. What is this folder and can it be deleted? Why is it needed, and why does it take up so much space on your hard drive? In general, there are too many questions related to the purpose of this folder. Let's try to figure out this problem. This information will be useful for both beginners and experienced PC users.
Everything new is well forgotten old
No matter how strange it may be, this statement is quite fair in context. Many users find it difficult to answer the question of what the Windows OLD folder is. This directory is a file container that contains user information from a preinstalled operating system. The data contained in this folder can be given new life, i.e. restore them and use them in the future.
Using the Windows OLD folder for its intended purpose
Before we begin the analysis detailed instructions regarding data recovery, let’s make one very clear important point. Transferring user information to a new one operating system– a very unpredictable process. Maybe everything could end incorrect installation data to a clean operating system.
Transferring data from the Windows OLD folder
This action is very simple to perform. To begin, prepare an installation distribution with the operating system. After this, restart your computer and check the BIOS to “Boot from DVD/CD drive”. Before you transfer old information, think carefully again - is it worth it? This may not be particularly necessary, although the system will still need to be reinstalled.
First stage: freeing up space
Before you begin the process of copying information, make sure that there is enough space on your system disk. You can see how much space Windows OLD takes up using context menu. Knowing original size folder, you can determine whether the new operating system can accommodate this directory on the system partition.
Second stage: Recovery
To begin, select the “SystemRecoveryOptions” option. After that, activate the “Command Prompt” option.
Third stage: Replacement system folders
In the appeared system window you will need to write eight commands sequentially. More detailed information can be obtained from official sources Microsoft. The command execution algorithm is presented below:
— indication of the system disk;
— formation of a new catalogue;
— moving folders and files;
— copying data with autocorrect.
Make sure all commands are spelled correctly. Don't forget to press the "Enter" button after each command. All data must be moved to the user directory “User”. After this, we subject the file attributes to the process of changing and move the data to “Program Data”. After that, uninstall “Documents and Settings”.
Fourth stage: Windows transfer OLD
Most likely, the new operating system will refuse to place folders and files with old user information in its directory. Therefore, you will need to give the command to move: “Move”.
Fifth stage: restoring the boot sector
Recovery boot sector you need to perform the following sequence of actions:
- enter the command D:\boot\bootsect/nt60 c:
- press “Enter” and write in new line"Exit" command. This command and will be the action that completes the process of information recovery.
Comfortable operating system Windows 8
For new version operating system Windows data can be restored as in manual mode, and using automatic transfer saved information. But there is one important point: if you do not use the old data for four weeks, the folder will automatically be replaced by the new operating system with the corresponding file container.
Liberation free space on disk
Many users have the following problem: they cannot delete the Windows OLD folder in the traditional way. If you are faced with a similar situation, then you are in for a surprise. The method below will help you easily get back your disk space in just a couple of steps. To do this, open the Start menu and activate the All Programs option.
From the drop-down list, select “Standard”. Next, go to the “Service” section. After that, activate the “Disk Cleanup” option. In the even box, install the C drive and click on “Ok”. As a result, the operating system will perform an analysis, as a result of which the user will be asked to select files for subsequent deletion. Here you need to check “Previous Windows installations”. Now click “Ok”, thereby confirming the operation. Folder Windows Old As a result, it will be permanently removed from your PC.
Conclusion
Before deleting old user information, it is better to analyze the contents of the Windows Old folder. There may be valuable information in the files and folders that you may need in the future. You can start the deletion process only if you are absolutely sure that the WindowsOld folder does not contain any information that is valuable to you. By the way, there is another very effective method deleting old user information. To use it, just enter search bar“Start” cmd and write the following command in the window that appears:
Rd/s/q%systemdrive%\Windows.old. After you press “Enter”, the folder will be deleted from your computer and free space will appear on your hard drive.
Windows.old folder is nothing new to Windows 10. But, before Windows 10, you would only see it if you purchased a new version of Windows and then used it to upgrade a PC running an older version.
What is the Windows.old folder
This folder is created when upgrading from one Windows versions to another, starting from Windows Vista. The Windows.old folder contains all the files and data from your previous Windows installation. You can use it to restore your system to old version Windows if you don't like the new version. If you are looking specific file, which was not copied correctly to new installation Windows, you can also extract it from Windows.old folders.
Essentially, the Windows.old folder contains only the old Windows system. Windows system files, files installed programs, settings and files for each account user – all here. The new version of Windows saves all this in case you want to go back to that old version of Windows or need to find the file.
But don't wait too long—Windows will automatically delete the Windows.old folder to free up space after a month.
Downgrade to a previous version of Windows
Return from Windows 10 to Windows 7 or 8.1- very simple. After installing Windows 10, open Settings → Update & Security → Recovery. You'll see a Get started button under "Go back to Windows 7" or "Go back to Windows 8.1," depending on the version of Windows you had installed before upgrading. Click this button and Windows will restore your old Windows operating system. using the Windows.old folder as the source .
Again, as indicated above the button, this feature will only be available for a month after the update. Windows will automatically delete the Windows.old folder to free up space after a month, so you'll need to decide if you want to settle into the new version of Windows.
Recovering individual files from the Windows.old folder
If you need to restore separate files from old installation Windows, you can restore them from the Windows.old folder. To do this, just open the Explorer window, go to the Windows.old folder and find the corresponding file. Your personal files will be located in the C:\Windows.old\Users\ folder Your profile.
How to delete the Windows.old folder
The Windows.old folder can take up quite a lot of space. At best it's 12 GB. But it can hold tens of gigabytes or more, depending on how large your previous Windows installation was.
If you try to delete the Windows.old folder from Explorer like any other folder, you will receive an error message. You can work around this error message by changing the permissions of the Windows.old folder. However, you shouldn't worry so much.
To delete this folder in a simple way, use the Windows Disk Cleanup tool. In Windows 10, click the Start button, search for Disk Cleanup, and launch the Disk Cleanup app. You can also click right click Click on the C:\ drive in File Explorer, select Properties, and then click Disk Cleanup.
Click the button Clear system files . A "Previous Windows Installations" option will appear in the list of files you can delete, and Disk Cleanup will tell you how much space these files take up. Select this option and use Disk Cleanup to erase previous system Windows files. You can also use this tool to remove others unnecessary files taking up space on the system disk.
There is nothing wrong with deleting the Windows.old directory. If you are happy with your current Windows system, if you are sure that you have saved all your important files– then there is no point in keeping the Windows.old folder, you can safely delete it. And remember that Windows will automatically delete the Windows.old folder a month after the update.