How To Delete Windows Old Folder In Windows 7

Download Article

Download Commodity

When you lot upgrade or reinstall Windows, your old files may be placed in a folder on your C: drive labeled Windows.former. This is neat for retrieving your old files, but it tin take upwardly a large chunk of space on your estimator. You can't delete the folder similar you would most folders, only Windows includes a utility that allows you to quickly remove it.

Steps

one
Copy any essential files from the . Windows.old folder before deleting information technology. The Windows.quondam folder contains files and settings from your previous Windows installation. Make sure that any files y'all demand are copied to your current User folders before deleting Windows.old.
- Open the Computer/My Computer window, which yous can admission from the Start menu. Windows 8 users tin press ⊞ Win+E .
- Double-click the drive that contains Windows. This is typically the C: drive.
- Double-click the Windows.old folder.
- Double-click the Users folder and then open up the binder for the user account you want to recollect files from.
- Re-create and paste any files you lot want to keep into your current User folders (Documents, Pictures, Videos, etc.). Yous can also move files to your desktop.
2
Open the Disk Cleanup utility. This utility will assist automatically delete the Windows.quondam folder. In that location are a couple of different ways you can open it.
- Press ⊞ Win+R , blazon cleanmgr, and press ↵ Enter .
- Open the Control Panel, select "Organization and Security", then select "Administrative Tools". Open Disk Cleanup from the list that appears.
Advertizement
iii

Select the drive that contains the . Windows.old folder. This is usually the C: bulldoze.
iv

Wait while Disk Cleanup scans the drive. This may have a few minutes.
v

Click the . Make clean upward arrangement files button. You may be prompted for the administrator countersign.
half-dozen

Select your drive again if prompted. Disk Cleanup will scan the drive over again.
7

Check the "Previous Windows installation(southward)" box. You can also check the boxes for any other types of files on the list y'all want to remove.
eight

Click . OK to delete the Windows.quondam folder. Click Delete Files to confirm that you want to remove it.^[i]

Troubleshooting

one

I tin't delete the . Windows.one-time folder when I drag it to the Recycle Bin. The Windows.former folder is protected, and you'll likely encounter errors if you try to drag it to the Recycle Bin or right-click on it to delete information technology. Instead, follow the steps to a higher place to delete the folder completely.
two
Disk Cleanup is not removing the . Windows.old binder. This may be caused if you have more ane Windows.onetime binder, such as a Windows.erstwhile.000 folder.
- Open the Control Prompt as an Administrator. You can do this by clicking the Kickoff menu, right-clicking on Control Prompt, and selecting "Run every bit Administrator". Windows eight user'south can correct-click the Windows button and select "Command Prompt (Admin)".^[2]
- Blazon RD /S /Q %SystemDrive%\windows.old and press ↵ Enter . The Windows.quondam folder volition exist deleted immediately.
- Repeat for whatsoever additional Windows.old folders. For example, to delete Windows.former.000, type RD /S /Q %SystemDrive%\windows.old.000 and press ↵ Enter .
- Close the Control Prompt.

[watch tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/spotter?five=c7v4NToni6s]

Add New Question

Question

How can I remove an old Windows?

ッRosie~Dosieッ

Community Reply

You tin't remove the old Windows system, but you can upgrade to a newer version if you wish.