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Windows 7 - Windows.old Folder - Delete



Windows.old Folder - Delete

How to Delete the Windows.old Folder in Windows 7
Published by Brink
08-02-2009
Default Windows.old Folder - Delete

How to Delete the Windows.old Folder in Windows 7

information   Information
If you performed a custom installation (not a upgrade installation), without formatting the drive for a clean install, and selected to install Windows 7 on the same partition of the previous Windows installation, then this will show you how to delete the Windows.old folder generated during installation.

Windows.old Folder - Delete-install.jpg

Note   Note
The C:\Windows.old folder contains folders and files from the previous Windows installation. Be sure to copy any files or data that you may still want to keep to another location before deleting this folder.
Tip   Tip
For how to restore a Windows 7-based computer to a previous Windows installation by using the Windows.old folder, see: How to restore a Windows 7-based computer to a previous Windows installation by using the Windows.old folder
warning   Warning
Be sure to copy any files that you want out of the Windows.old folder before you delete it. Once deleted, they are gone.

You will need to do this while logged on to an administrator account.

EXAMPLE: Windows.old Folder
NOTE: Notice how much space this folder uses.
Windows.old Folder - Delete-windows7-1.jpgWindows.old Folder - Delete-windows7-1b.jpg


Here's How:
1. Open Disk Cleanup.

2. Select the Windows 7 C: drive and click on OK. (See screenshot below)
Windows.old Folder - Delete-step1.jpg
3. Click on the Clean up system files button. (See screenshot below)
Windows.old Folder - Delete-windows7-2.jpg
4. If prompted by UAC, then click on Yes.

5. Repeat step 2 above.

6. Check the Previous Windows installations box, and click on OK. (See screenshot below)
Windows.old Folder - Delete-windows7-3.jpg
7. Click on Delete Files. (See screenshot below)
Windows.old Folder - Delete-windows7-4.jpg
8. When Disk Cleanup finishes, the C:\Windows.old folder will be deleted.
Windows.old Folder - Delete-windows7-5.jpg
That's it,
Shawn



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08-03-2009   #1
Tweety


Windows 7 RC Build 7100
Ohio
 
 


Thank you! I now have 13gb of free space added to my hard drive.

My System SpecsSystem Spec
08-03-2009   #2
Brink


Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1 beta
Texas
 
 


You're welcome Tweety.

Shawn
My System SpecsSystem Spec
08-03-2009   #3
Professional


Windows Vista Home Premium x64
 
 


wooow nice tutorial,tnx admin.
My System SpecsSystem Spec
.
08-03-2009   #4
Zidane24


Windows 7 Home Premium x64 - Mac OS X 10.6.4 x64
North Carolina, United States of America
 
 


I might be mistakened but I believe that the Windows.old folder has no additional permissions applied to it...you should be able to just delte the folder like any other
My System SpecsSystem Spec
08-04-2009   #5
Brink


Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1 beta
Texas
 
 


You're welcome Profesional.
My System SpecsSystem Spec
08-04-2009   #6
Brink


Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1 beta
Texas
 
 


Quote   Quote: Originally Posted by Zidane24 View Post
I might be mistakened but I believe that the Windows.old folder has no additional permissions applied to it...you should be able to just delte the folder like any other
Hi Chris,

Other than having to approve the deletion for a few system files in that folder, I had no problems with just right clicking on it and deleting it. There have been quite a few people that have reported not to be able to do so though.
My System SpecsSystem Spec
08-04-2009   #7
Zidane24


Windows 7 Home Premium x64 - Mac OS X 10.6.4 x64
North Carolina, United States of America
 
 


Quote   Quote: Originally Posted by Brink View Post
Hi Chris,

Other than having to approve the deletion for a few system files in that folder, I had no problems with just right clicking on it and deleting it. There have been quite a few people that have reported not to be able to do so though.
That is strange...Shawn what is your normal setting for UAC...just a theory but if UAC is set to max and then an install is placed on the older one...maybe UAC permissions keep in place.
My System SpecsSystem Spec
08-04-2009   #8
Brink


Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1 beta
Texas
 
 


I have my UAC set to max.
My System SpecsSystem Spec
08-04-2009   #9
Zidane24


Windows 7 Home Premium x64 - Mac OS X 10.6.4 x64
North Carolina, United States of America
 
 


Quote   Quote: Originally Posted by Brink View Post
I have my UAC set to max.
there goes that theory...I have no clue why others have issues with this
My System SpecsSystem Spec
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