Files transferred when installing windows 7

benbamboo said:

Hello there,

When I installed windows 7 I noted the option to either completely reformat the hard drive or have all previous files saved in a windows.old file. I chose the latter as its a pretty useful option.

However, there have been quite a few files copied across that are showing in the (C: ) drive - folders that were on vista but haven't been put in the windows.old file. Some of it was work stuff that I no longer needed and it has been deleted, but some of the folders are full of windows files and random files that I simply don't recognise. My HDD is showing as 345GB free of 465GB - 120GB is therefore in use and I don't want it to be. Even after deleting windows.old and the folders I recognise there is a lot of stuff on my computer that I don't want. Windows 7 itself should only take about 16GB I believe so over 100GB of stuff has been transferred across.

Without going into detail about all the files and given that I installed windows 7 just today (19th Dec) can I assume that any files that predate 19/12/09 can be deleted without affecting the running of windows 7? An example - WMSysPr9.prx is a file name that terrifies me. As far as I know it could be the most vital or most useless file in existence. It was last modified on 10/06/2009 so would I be safe assuming it wasn't required for an instal of Windows 7 on 19/12/09 and can safely be deleted?

Thanks in advance.

They should be safe to delete, but be sure. Make a system image of you HD, before making any changes. Put the image in a safe place and then delete,what you think is warranted. If you run into problems you have the system image that I told you to make, safely tucked away, and ready to bring your OS back to the way it was when you took the image.

As far as I know, and based upon what I read, the files that can be safely deleted are those found in windows.old. They can be deleted by using the clean disc function found on the c drive, properties.

benbamboo said:

I hope this isn't too simple a question but what do you mean by creating a system image? Is that the same as a system restore point or something different?

First there are no simple questions, just people to simple to ask. I love doing this, gives me a good feeling to help others. To be honest I like the easy ones.

But I digress.

System restore will restore your OS, System image is a copy of your entire hard drive. Everything that is on your hard drive is copied. You should always have one, in case your hard drive fails you can bring it back with System Image.

Go to search, by start button. Type system image and then follow the instructions. You should make your image on an external hard drive. In that way anything happens to your hard drive or your OS, you can correct it with the system image.

There is alos back up and restore which makes copies of your personal data. Pics, documents, etc. Get familiar with that too. Just type in search the term and follow the instructions on how to back up.