Windows 7 - Windows.old Folder - Delete

**Brink**

How to Delete the Windows.old Folder in Windows 7

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.

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

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

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.

Here's How:

1. Open Disk Cleanup.

2. Select the Windows 7 C: drive and click on OK. (See screenshot below)

3. Click on the Clean up system files button. (See screenshot below)

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)

7. Click on Delete Files. (See screenshot below)

8. When Disk Cleanup finishes, the C:\Windows.old folder will be deleted.

That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

Tweety · 08-03-2009

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

**Brink** · 08-03-2009

You're welcome Tweety.

Shawn

Professional · 08-03-2009

wooow nice tutorial,tnx admin.

**Zidane24** · 08-03-2009

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

**Brink** · 08-04-2009

You're welcome Profesional.

**Brink** · 08-04-2009

Quote: Originally Posted by Zidane24

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.

**Zidane24** · 08-04-2009

Quote: Originally Posted by Brink

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.

**Brink** · 08-04-2009

I have my UAC set to max.

**Zidane24** · 08-04-2009

Quote: Originally Posted by Brink

I have my UAC set to max.

there goes that theory...I have no clue why others have issues with this