Can't find Windows.Old folder after upgrade install.


  1. Posts : 110
    Windows 7 Professional x64
       #1

    Can't find Windows.Old folder after upgrade install.


    Hi, I did an upgrade install W7 to W7 however I can't find the Windows.old folder to delete. I looked it up in disk cleanup as well but nothing.

    I remember it would be in program files > windows.old or in the windows folder but I can't find anything even after enabling 'show hidden folders and files'.

    In disk management drive C only has 1 partition (w7 installation 64-bit) but it's taking up around 70GB.

    I'm using a SSD could that be the problem? I want to reclaim the space.

    thanks,
      My Computer


  2. AC
    Posts : 956
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64-Bit
       #2

    The Windows.old folder would be on C: drive. But I'm not sure upgrade makes that folder. Not sure, I only do clean install.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 72,043
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
       #3

    Hello Bishop,

    Are you sure that you did an upgrade install?

    Windows.old Folder - Delete
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 110
    Windows 7 Professional x64
    Thread Starter
       #4

    I bought a new ssd, I put w7 on it, but the Key wouldn't work for me because it said my version was only for upgrade. I couldn't validate the W7 installation, I found a worked around on the net by installing it again, it work validated, but now there was 70GB used up on my ssd. Can't find the old windows folder. After the first installation it was only 30 GB.
      My Computer


  5. AC
    Posts : 956
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64-Bit
       #5

    Did you qualify for the upgrade? IMO, it's wrong if you didn't. Anyway did you follow the tut, and try all 3 if the other 2 didn't work? If it didn't work, backup your files and format your drive. Then do a custom install.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 17,322
    Win 10 Pro x64
       #6

    bishop101 said:
    I bought a new ssd, I put w7 on it, but the Key wouldn't work for me because it said my version was only for upgrade. I couldn't validate the W7 installation, I found a worked around on the net by installing it again, it work validated, but now there was 70GB used up on my ssd. Can't find the old windows folder. After the first installation it was only 30 GB.
    Sounds like you had to do this,

    Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version

    See if this shows you where that space has gone,

    WinDirStat - Windows Directory Statistics
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 110
    Windows 7 Professional x64
    Thread Starter
       #7

    I came up from 64-bit vista, same machine just new ssd.

    Using windirstat I looked at the ssd, I think its the pagefile thats eating up all my space.
    Perhaps I should move it to a hdd?

    Maybe I'm interpreting it wrong, I don't see anything that should look like windows.old
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Can't find Windows.Old folder after upgrade install.-capture.png  
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 17,322
    Win 10 Pro x64
       #8

    You can gain 12Gb by turning off Hibernation if you don't use it.

    Hibernate - Enable or Disable

    I wouldn't move the pagefile, you can decrease it Virtual Memory Paging File - Change - Vista Forums

    I don't see a windows.old either, did you do the install by booting from your disc or from the desktop?
      My Computer


  9. whs
    Posts : 26,210
    Vista, Windows7, Mint Mate, Zorin, Windows 8
       #9

    In addition to deleting the hiberfile, set the pagefile to 2GB. I always do that on my SSDs without any problems.

    PS: I see no Windows.old
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 110
    Windows 7 Professional x64
    Thread Starter
       #10

    derekimo said:
    I don't see a windows.old either, did you do the install by booting from your disc or from the desktop?
    From boot the first time, second time from desktop.

    I will move the files to hdd.
      My Computer


 

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