Can I delete c:\windows.old after install of Win7

J

jayrwv

New member
Local time
2:43 PM
Messages
13
I have installed the retail version of Windows 7 (Pro) and it works great. But I see a file on my C: drive for c:\windows.old/windows.

Can I delete that file? It is 32 GB and I see no need for it. During installation of Win 7 there was a notation that it was saving those old files but that I would not be able to use them. So I am curious as to why I would want to keep them.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Professional 32 bit Build 7600Intel Pentium 41 GB256 MB PCI Express, ATI Radeon X600 SE Hyperm...
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Dell Dimension 5100
OS
Windows 7 Professional 32 bit Build 7600
CPU
Intel Pentium 4
Motherboard
Dell 0J8885
Memory
1 GB
Graphics Card(s)
256 MB PCI Express, ATI Radeon X600 SE Hypermemory
Sound Card
Integrated Audio with Dolby (Integrated Systems)
Monitor(s) Displays
Dell 1704FPT
Screen Resolution
1280 x 1024
Hard Drives
160 MB Serial ATA
160 GB Maxtor external
PSU
2.80 ghz
Case
Mini Tower
Keyboard
Dell wireless
Mouse
Microsoft
Internet Speed
ADSL
jayrwv, after you take ownership I would recommend you take a look and see what is in there. It should have stored your files from your previous OS, as well as your personal files. Where did you see you would not be able to use them?
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 x64 finally!AMD Athlon II X2 240OCZ Platinum 4GB DDR2 1066 (will not work pas...MSI R4670-MD1G Radeon HD 4670 1GB 128-bit GDDR3
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Wally, Innc.
OS
Windows 7 x64 finally!
CPU
AMD Athlon II X2 240
Motherboard
Biostar TA790GX XE
Memory
OCZ Platinum 4GB DDR2 1066 (will not work past 800MHz)
Graphics Card(s)
MSI R4670-MD1G Radeon HD 4670 1GB 128-bit GDDR3
Sound Card
ATI High Definition Audio Device Realtek ALC888
Monitor(s) Displays
HP w19e
Screen Resolution
1440x900
Hard Drives
Western Digital Caviar Green WD5000AADS 500GB SATA
Western Digital Caviar Blue WD5000AAKS 500GB SATA
PSU
Athena Power Micro ATX 400W
Case
HEC 6T 6T10BB Black MicroATX Mini Tower
Cooling
stock
Keyboard
wired, many keys
Mouse
HP wireless, 2 buttons, 1 wheel
Internet Speed
DSL 2Mb (recently getting 1.65M!)
Thank you so much of such a fast and good reply. I have done that operation with no problems. I still wonder why I can't just delete that folder/files? Does "taking ownership" allow me to use the files? I am not familiar with this operation.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Professional 32 bit Build 7600Intel Pentium 41 GB256 MB PCI Express, ATI Radeon X600 SE Hyperm...
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Dell Dimension 5100
OS
Windows 7 Professional 32 bit Build 7600
CPU
Intel Pentium 4
Motherboard
Dell 0J8885
Memory
1 GB
Graphics Card(s)
256 MB PCI Express, ATI Radeon X600 SE Hypermemory
Sound Card
Integrated Audio with Dolby (Integrated Systems)
Monitor(s) Displays
Dell 1704FPT
Screen Resolution
1280 x 1024
Hard Drives
160 MB Serial ATA
160 GB Maxtor external
PSU
2.80 ghz
Case
Mini Tower
Keyboard
Dell wireless
Mouse
Microsoft
Internet Speed
ADSL
wallinnc. I saw a message as I was installing Win 7 that said something to the effect that it was saving those files but that I could not use them. I don't recall the exact message.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Professional 32 bit Build 7600Intel Pentium 41 GB256 MB PCI Express, ATI Radeon X600 SE Hyperm...
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Dell Dimension 5100
OS
Windows 7 Professional 32 bit Build 7600
CPU
Intel Pentium 4
Motherboard
Dell 0J8885
Memory
1 GB
Graphics Card(s)
256 MB PCI Express, ATI Radeon X600 SE Hypermemory
Sound Card
Integrated Audio with Dolby (Integrated Systems)
Monitor(s) Displays
Dell 1704FPT
Screen Resolution
1280 x 1024
Hard Drives
160 MB Serial ATA
160 GB Maxtor external
PSU
2.80 ghz
Case
Mini Tower
Keyboard
Dell wireless
Mouse
Microsoft
Internet Speed
ADSL
jayrwv said:
Thank you so much of such a fast and good reply. I have done that operation with no problems. I still wonder why I can't just delete that folder/files? Does "taking ownership" allow me to use the files? I am not familiar with this operation.
Click to expand...
You should be able to access that folder normally like any other now.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 x64 finally!AMD Athlon II X2 240OCZ Platinum 4GB DDR2 1066 (will not work pas...MSI R4670-MD1G Radeon HD 4670 1GB 128-bit GDDR3
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Wally, Innc.
OS
Windows 7 x64 finally!
CPU
AMD Athlon II X2 240
Motherboard
Biostar TA790GX XE
Memory
OCZ Platinum 4GB DDR2 1066 (will not work past 800MHz)
Graphics Card(s)
MSI R4670-MD1G Radeon HD 4670 1GB 128-bit GDDR3
Sound Card
ATI High Definition Audio Device Realtek ALC888
Monitor(s) Displays
HP w19e
Screen Resolution
1440x900
Hard Drives
Western Digital Caviar Green WD5000AADS 500GB SATA
Western Digital Caviar Blue WD5000AAKS 500GB SATA
PSU
Athena Power Micro ATX 400W
Case
HEC 6T 6T10BB Black MicroATX Mini Tower
Cooling
stock
Keyboard
wired, many keys
Mouse
HP wireless, 2 buttons, 1 wheel
Internet Speed
DSL 2Mb (recently getting 1.65M!)
If you think of the folder as a backup or the recycle bin - check through the contents and if you are sure that you do not need anything (pay particular attention to personal information and/or program settings files) you can delete the folder and it will have no effect on the running of your new OS
 

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro x64 [Latest Release and Releas...Ryzen 9 5950X, 3.8 - 5.2 MHz64GB [2 x 32GB] DDR4 3200MHz4GB NVIDIA GEFORCE GTX 1650 Ti
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
    ChillBlast - Custom to my design
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro x64 [Latest Release and Release Preview]
    CPU
    Ryzen 9 5950X, 3.8 - 5.2 MHz
    Motherboard
    Asus Prime X570-Pro
    Memory
    64GB [2 x 32GB] DDR4 3200MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    4GB NVIDIA GEFORCE GTX 1650 Ti
    Sound Card
    On-board SPDIF to 5.1 System + HDMI [5.1 system]
    Monitor(s) Displays
    32" UHD 32 Bit HDR Monitor + 43" UHD 4K 32Bit HDR TV
    Screen Resolution
    2 x 3840 x 2160 @60Hz
    Hard Drives
    1TB M2 SSD OS, 500GB Fast Access SSD, 2 x 8TB Data + Various Externals from 1TB to 4TB, 10TB NAS
    PSU
    NZXT C750 80 PLUS Gold 750W Modular PSU
    Case
    Workstation Case [Matt Black]
    Cooling
    NZXT Kraken X63 280mm CPU Cooler +2x Quiet Case fans
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless MX Keys & K400 + others
    Mouse
    Logitech Wireless MX Master 3S
    Internet Speed
    920 MB Down 50 MB Up
    Antivirus
    BitDefender Total Security Pro
    Browser
    Chrome (always run latest Non-Beta)
    Other Info
    Also run ...
    Laptop - Quad 8GB - Windows 10 Pro x64
    Nexus 7 Android tablet x2
    Samsung 10.2" tablet
    Blackview TAB 8 4G Android Tablet c/w Keyboard
    Wacom Intuos Pro Medium Pen Pad
    Wacom Intuos Pro Small Pen Pad
    Wacom Expresskeys Remote
    Loopdeck+ Graphics Controller
    Shuttle Pro v2 Control

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro x64 Latest RPIntel I7 10750H 5.0GHz32GB [2x16GB] DDR4 2933 MHznVidia GTX1650Ti 4 GB GDDR6
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model Number
    Dell XPS 17 10750H
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro x64 Latest RP
    CPU
    Intel I7 10750H 5.0GHz
    Motherboard
    Dell XPS
    Memory
    32GB [2x16GB] DDR4 2933 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVidia GTX1650Ti 4 GB GDDR6
    Sound Card
    Stock [Realtek] 4 Speaker
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17" IPS UHD+ Infinity Edge Touchscreen
    Screen Resolution
    3840 x 2400
    Hard Drives
    2TB M2 NVMe, 4TB External + various 500GB & 1TB External NVMe (also have access to spinner HDD from
    PSU
    Stock
    Case
    Stock XPS Aluminium & Carbon Fibre
    Cooling
    Stock - Active Fan Control
    Keyboard
    Backlit + Various Logitech
    Mouse
    Stock Track Pad + Logitech MX Trackball
    Internet Speed
    72 MB Down 18MB Up
    Browser
    Chrome
    Other Info
    Also run ...
    Laptop - Quad 8GB - Windows 10 Pro x64
    Nexus 7 Android tablet x2
    10.2" tablet
    Sony Z3 Android Smartphone
    Wacom Intuos Pro Medium Pen Pad
    Wacom Intuos Pro Small Pen Pad
    Wacom Expresskeys Remote
    Loopdeck+ Graphics Controller
    Shuttle Pro v2 Control Pad
    10TB NAS
Thank you Wallyinnc and Barman58. Actually it could prove helpful. Thanks for your help.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Professional 32 bit Build 7600Intel Pentium 41 GB256 MB PCI Express, ATI Radeon X600 SE Hyperm...
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Dell Dimension 5100
OS
Windows 7 Professional 32 bit Build 7600
CPU
Intel Pentium 4
Motherboard
Dell 0J8885
Memory
1 GB
Graphics Card(s)
256 MB PCI Express, ATI Radeon X600 SE Hypermemory
Sound Card
Integrated Audio with Dolby (Integrated Systems)
Monitor(s) Displays
Dell 1704FPT
Screen Resolution
1280 x 1024
Hard Drives
160 MB Serial ATA
160 GB Maxtor external
PSU
2.80 ghz
Case
Mini Tower
Keyboard
Dell wireless
Mouse
Microsoft
Internet Speed
ADSL
jayrwv said:
I have installed the retail version of Windows 7 (Pro) and it works great. But I see a file on my C: drive for c:\windows.old/windows.

Can I delete that file? It is 32 GB and I see no need for it. During installation of Win 7 there was a notation that it was saving those old files but that I would not be able to use them. So I am curious as to why I would want to keep them.
Click to expand...

Hello Jay, and welcome to Seven Forums.

In addition to the above, you can also use the normal method of deleting the Windows.old folder in Disk Cleanup.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/19151-windows-old-folder-delete.html

Hope this helps,
Shawn
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

64-bit Windows 11 Pro for WorkstationsIntel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600...ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Self built custom
OS
64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
CPU
Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
Motherboard
ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
Memory
64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz
Graphics Card(s)
ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
Sound Card
Integrated
Monitor(s) Displays
2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
Screen Resolution
2560x1440
Hard Drives
1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
TerraMaster F8 SSD Plus NAS
PSU
Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
Case
Thermaltake Core P3
Cooling
Corsair Hydro H115i
Keyboard
Logitech wireless K800
Mouse
Logitech MX Master 4
Internet Speed
2 Gb/s Download and 100 Mb/s Upload
Antivirus
Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
Browser
Google Chrome
Other Info
Logitech Z625 speaker system,
Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
Galaxy S23 Plus phone
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Solved Secondary hard drive disappeared after install of Blu Ray DVD drive
Replies
8
Views
9K
Golden
Golden
Help for re-install of Win7 while using existing Users folder
Replies
5
Views
4K
gregrocker
gregrocker
BSOD numerous different messages even after a fresh install of win7
2 3
Replies
47
Views
9K
writhziden
writhziden
Solved Can I delete superfluous Win7 files for more space?
Replies
8
Views
5K
Bongo
Bongo
What Can i delete on my C drive after installation?
Replies
13
Views
8K
Night Hawk
Night Hawk
Back
Top