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How to Delete the Windows.old Folder in Window 10, 8, and 7

Remove previous Windows installation files to free up hard drive space

By Scott Orgera Scott Orgera Writer Scott Orgera is a former Lifewire writer covering tech since 2007. He has 25+ years' experience as a programmer and QA leader, and holds several Microsoft certifications including MCSE, MCP+I, and MOUS. He is also A+ certified. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on March 16, 2021 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Windows The Ultimate Laptop Buying Guide

What to Know

Go to Disk Cleanup > Clean up system files > Previous Windows installations > OK.Do not delete the Windows.old folder if you might want to revert to the previous operating system. This article explains how to remove the Windows.old folder in Windows 10, 8, and 7 to clean up your computer and get rid of files that you no longer need.

How to Delete the Windows old Folder

If you've upgraded to a new version of Windows at some point, then a significant portion of your previous operating system's files are likely still sitting on your hard drive in a folder named Windows.old. Deleting these files can free up precious space on your PC. To delete the Windows.old folder: Do not delete the Windows.old folder if there's a chance that you may want to revert back to the previous operating system in the future. Type disk cleanup in the Windows search box and select the Disk Cleanup app from the list that appears. Select the Start Menu to access the search box in older versions of Windows. Select Clean up system files. Disk Cleanup will analyze your hard drive and calculate how much space it can clear up. Once scanning and analysis are complete, the Disk Cleanup window will re-appear with new options listed under Files to delete. Check the box beside Previous Windows installations (or Older versions of Windows), then remove the checkmarks next to other items in the list (unless you want to delete them from your hard drive as well) and select OK. If you do not see these options available, then Disk Cleanup didn't find any old Windows files on your PC. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Remove Junk Files From Windows 11 35 Best Free Data Destruction Tools (October 2022) How to Check Free Hard Drive Space (Windows 11, 10, 8, +) Smart Defrag Review (v8) How to Delete Temporary Files in Windows The 21 Best Free Data Recovery Software Tools (Oct. 2022) The $Windows.~BT Folder: What It Is and How to Delete It 6 Things That are Taking up Too Much Space on Your PC How to Use Free Up Space, an Alternative to Disk Cleanup in Windows 10 32 Best Free File Shredder Programs (October 2022) 12 Best Free Defrag Software Tools (October 2022) 12 Best Free Spyware Removal Tools (October 2022) 8 Best Free Disk Space Analyzer Tools How to Clean Install Windows 8 or 8.1 [Walkthrough] How to Fix Broken Registry Items in Windows 11 Scan and Fix Your Hard Drive: Windows System Files Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies