Windows.old

Question

I recently did an Install-Repair in Windows 11. Of course, this leaves a Windows.old file, so after several days, I used the System Cleanup which I went to in Start/System/Storage and cleaned up unneeded files, including the previous installation of Windows.

Everything went fine but the Windows.old file is still there and a couple directories still have files in them. Question is, can I safely delete that directory without my system going pads up. Please advise.

Answer 1

It's always best to make free backup images and save the images to another disk drive or the cloud.

With free backup images an image can be restored typically in less than one hour.

With backup images trial and error steps can be performed and if there is an unintentional error an image can be restored.

Microsoft deprecated backup imaging.

There are free and pay third party software for backup imaging.

(Acronis, Aoemi, EaseUS, Macrium, Paragon, etc.)

https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/61026-backup-restore-macrium-reflect.html

https://www.google.com/url?q=https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/free-up-drive-space-in-windows-a18fae02-a0fa-8df9-9838-8970f9939de4&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwiFkZK5kIOEAxX2HjQIHRntAXIQFnoECAEQAg&usg=AOvVaw16B5eqdvJ5nydmn-I-slpE

https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/83441-free-up-drive-space-windows-10-a.html

Answer 2

It's been a few years back when having removed the Windows.old that caused the computer not to reboot.

As per your instructions to save the Windows.old to another drive or the cloud, does that same instruction apply even though I removed it from the System/Storage/Temporary Files? Apparently, it wiped out most of what was in the Windows.old but still left the directory (Foldrer).

Answer 3

With the report of prior problems removing a Windiws.old it's best to either wait for the automatic deletion or temporarily save the Windows.old to another drive or the cloud.

Answer 4

Thanks for the suggestions. I had seen these before but my question is, is there still the chance removing this Folder manually, that it can cause serious issues with the computer.

I ask this, because this is something that happened before. Removing the Folder caused the computer not to reboot.

Answer 5

There is a Windows.old created during Windows upgrades which is by default scheduled for deletion after day 10.

If there are problems with the upgrade then a usable Windows.old allows return to the prior operating system version/build.

If there is a shortage of drive free space Windows.old can be saved to another disk drive or the cloud and can be deleted manually.

One or more of these links may be useful:

https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/2066-how-delete-windows-old-windows-bt-folders-windows-10-a.html

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/delete-your-previous-version-of-windows-f8b26680-e083-c710-b757-7567d69dbb74