How to delete $extend folder in windows?

Question

How to delete $extend folder in windows 10 Home. It consumes more space?

Answer 1

The $extend folder is a system folder used by the NTFS file system to store metadata and is not intended to be deleted by users. Attempting to delete it can lead to system instability or data loss. If you're looking to free up space on your Windows 10 Home system, consider using the built-in Disk Cleanup tool or Storage Sense to remove unnecessary files safely.

To use Disk Cleanup:

1. Press Windows key + S and type "Disk Cleanup."
2. Select the drive you want to clean (usually C:).
3. Check the boxes for the types of files you want to delete (temporary files, system files, etc.).
4. Click "OK" to delete the selected files.

For Storage Sense:

1. Go to Settings > System > Storage.
2. Turn on Storage Sense to automatically free up space by deleting temporary files and content in the Recycle Bin.

These methods will help you manage disk space without risking the integrity of system files like the $extend folder.

Answer 2

Hi abimuktheeswaran chidambaram,

Thank you for reaching out to the Microsoft Q&A Forum. I’m here to clarify things and help you keep your system running smoothly.

The $Extend folder is a normal part of the Windows NTFS file system. It stores important system metadata that Windows uses in the background to manage files and keep the disk healthy. Because it’s a protected system folder, it isn’t meant to be opened, modified, or deleted - doing so can risk system errors or even data corruption.

If you’re trying to improve system performance or reclaim storage, here are safe options you can use in addition to the AI's response:

1 - Clear Microsoft Store cache

• Press Win + R, type wsreset.exe, and run it.

2 - Review large personal files

• Videos, downloads, and old installers often take more space than system folders.

I look forward to receiving your update. Let me know if you need further assistance, feel free to ask me by clicking "Add Comment" or "Add Answer" if you cannot add comment so your response will be visible. Thanks for your effort.

---

If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have additional questions about this answer, please click "Comment".

Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.