Windows.old

Question

We are fully integrated with 365 and are running into an issue while upgrading from windows 10 enterprise to windows 11 enterprise. We get the windows.old but we can’t write a powershell script to delete it. So my question is, how long does windows.old stay on the machines after upgrade? If you have update rings policy in intune already, does that play a factor into it? Is there a way remotely with a script or through intune to get rid of it?

Our machines are 4/64 for the students and the windows.old can sometimes be upward of 15g of space so you can see our issue here. ultimately just trying to delete that folder after upgrade to 11.

Answer 1

We are looking to delete this remotely, as we can already do it locally on a machine if need be it. Issue is is that we have 5k machines and need a script to go in and delete it or a way to program storage sense to delete it automatically.

Answer 2

I've looked at storage sense article and we already have access to this information through intune. The only thing that it does not do is give ability to delete that windows.old.

Answer 3

Hi AW,

Windows.old stays for 10 days on the machine.

You can trigger storage sense using Powershell which would delete the Windows.old folder when run. Some hints here:

Configure StorageSense PowerShell | Jaap Brasser's Blog

Answer 4

Hello, how are you?

My name is Paloma B., I am very happy to be able to try to help you in the best possible way.

I understand that you have questions about Windows.old.

This folder is created automatically when Windows undergoes a major upgrade like the one from Windows 10 to Windows 11.

It is created as a security to allow you for some reason to be able to undo the update.

If you really don't want to go back to Windows 10, you can manually delete it, as it is normally available for 10 days, which is the period you can roll back Windows 11.

I suggest you try the methods below to do the deletion, check if they help you please.

The first is that you try to delete this file in Windows safe mode.

To do this, access the link below if you do not know how to enter Windows Safe Mode.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/sta...

If you still can't delete it, I suggest you try using the Unlocker program below in the latest version available.

First download it via the link below:

https://unlocker.en.uptodown.com/windows

After accessing the site, click on the Latest version -> Download button.

At the end of the download, just install it, I advise you to read all the installer screens, to disable the installation's complementary programs.

Once the installation is finished, it will add an Unlocker option in the Context Menu of the right mouse button.

That way, just right-click on the file or folder you'd like to delete and click Unlocker.

After presenting the small Unlocker screen, select Delete and click OK.

Just wait for deletion, in some cases it will inform you that it will delete only after restarting your computer.

I await news.

If these procedures helped you in any way, please click on "I solved my problem" and also mark as an answer, so you can help others users.

We will always be available for whatever you need!

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