Now, lets start with what is Windows.old.
In short, the Windows.old folder contains your old Windows system.
To sum up, Windows.old offers an easy way to downgrade Windows 11 to 10.
Some users even complained that they cant delete Windows.old folder after upgrading to Windows 11.
Lets take a look at two of the real cases.
Can I Delete Windows.old
Can I Delete Windows 10 Files after Installing Windows 11?
Microsoft creates Windows.old folder for safety reasons, so it should be kept there on users PCs.
This is very annoying especially when users arerunning out of disk space.
So, heres the conclusion.
The answer is negative.
The Windows.old directory will be deleted automatically 4 weeks after your system has been updated successfully.
Before that, it will stay on your disk to provide a quick option to roll back.
If you tried to delete Windows.old from your PC in the following two regular ways, youll fail.
You should know that Microsoft blocks the usual methods for removing Windows.old folder.
Well, how to delete Windows 10 from Windows 11?
you’ve got the option to try the next three methods.
Method 1.
Delete Windows.old Using Disk Cleanup
Disk Cleanup is a Windows built-in tool tofree up disk spaceon your rig.
you’ve got the option to use this cleanup tool to delete unneeded files in a safe way.
Here, you’ve got the option to also delete Windows.old folder in Windows 11 using Disk Cleanup.
Step 1: PressWin + Etoopen File Explorer.
Step 2: SelectThis PCfrom the left-side pane.
Step 3: Right-hit theC: driveand choosePropertiesfrom the context menu.
Step 4: hit theDisk Cleanupbutton under theGeneraltab.
Step 5: SelectPrevious Windows installation(s)underFiles to delete.
Step 6: ClickOK, then chooseDelete Filesin the prompt window.
Windows.old folder has been deleted.
If you want to delete this folder without using Disk Cleanup, you’re able to keep reading.
Method 2.
Storage Sense will erase these unused files periodically, with a 30-day cycle.
Using Storage Sense to delete Windows.old is a good choice.
Step 1: PressWin + Ito initiate the prefs window.
Step 2: SelectSystemand shift to theStoragetab on the left pane.
Step 3: press theTemporary filesand wait for the analysis process to finish.
Step 4: Find and checkPrevious Windows Installation(s)and tap on theRemove filesbutton on the top.
If you dont enable Storage Sense, it’s possible for you to toggle the switch toOn.
Method 3.
Delete Windows.old with Command Prompt
Command Promptis a useful tool to execute plenty of command lines.
Step 1: PressWin + Rto fire up the Run window.
Step 2: Typecmdinto the text box and pressShift + Ctrl + Enterto run Command Prompt as administrator.
Step 3: TypeRD /S /Q %SystemDrive%windows.oldand hitEnter.
Then, you’re able to delete old Windows update files successfully.
Can You Restore Deleted Windows.old Folder
What if you want Windows.old folder back after deleting it?
Is it possible to recover files or programs from Windows.old?
In fact, its not a difficult task to recover the deleted Windows.old folder withMiniTool Power Data Recovery.
It is friendly for both the experienced and novice because of clear instructions.
you could try the free edition to scan and recover up to 1GB of files at first.
Then, get a suitable advanced edition fromthis pageif needed.
Step 2: launch the software and it will launch into This PC interface.
Step 3: Choose the target partition, usually theC:drive, and clickScan.
Step 4: Wait until the scan process is finished.
you’re able to browse the items listed on the result page.
Step 6: Select a storage path in the following window and clickOKto confirm.
Final Words
You should have a better understanding of Windows.old folder after reading this post.
If you better recover deleted files, you might try MiniTool Power Data Recovery with confidence.
It provides a secure data recovery service and will cause no damage to the data stored on your box.
kindly feel free to share any questions with us via[email protected].
