What is Windows.old folder
The Windows.old folder isn’t something new with Windows 10. This folder is created when you upgrade from one version of Windows to another. The Windows.old folder contains all the files and data from your previous Windows installation, so it’s using up a huge amount of space.
You can use it to restore your system to the old version of Windows if you don’t like the new version. Essentially, the Windows.old folder just contains the old Windows system. From the Windows system files to your installed programs and each user account’s settings and files, it’s all here. If you’re looking for a specific file that wasn’t properly copied to your new Windows installation, you also could dig into the Windows.old folder and find it.
But, don’t wait too long! Windows will automatically delete the Windows.old folder to free up space after a month.
Use Disk Cleanup to delete Windows.old folder in Windows 10
Windows.old folder cannot just directly delete by hitting the delete key and you may try to use the Disk Cleanup tool in Windows to remove this folder from your PC:
- Press Windows + E, click This PC.
- Right-click the drive with Windows installation and click Properties.
- Click Disk Cleanup and select Clean up the system.
- Select the Previous Windows Installation(s) option to delete Windows.old folder.
- You can also choose to delete other installation files including Windows upgrade log files and Temporary Windows installation files etc.
- Click OK and select Delete Files on the pop-up dialog to confirm the deletion.
- Click Yes.
Extra tip: delete Windows.old folder in Windows 10
- In the search box on the taskbar, type settings, then choose it from the list of results.
- Select System > Storage > This PC and then scroll down the list and choose Temporary files.
- Under Remove temporary files, select the Previous version of Windows check box and then choose to Remove files.
Then Windows.old folder will be deleted in Windows 10 without any obstacles.