Safe to remove windows.old?

[sfazngiants]

so i just finished custom installing windows 7 professional. i see that my C drive is still using the same amount of storage space as before when i had vista? why is that? i did a custom install shouldn't it remove everything in the C drive and install windows 7? is it safe to trash the windows.old?

 

[harpua]

The windows.old file contains a backup of all your data from your previous installation. It's safe to delete as soon as you are sure that everything transfered over properly. You can use the "disk cleanup" utility in W7 to remove the folder when you are ready.

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

 

[stormy13]

Yes it is safe to delete the windows.old folder.

Before you do you might want to go through it and move over any documents/music/personal files/game save folders/etc you may have forgotten to backup before doing the upgrade install. Also you can save yourself some program install time by going through the Program Files folder (as well as the Program Files (x86) folder if Vista was x64) and testing what programs will work without having to be re-installed. When you fins the ones that do, just move them over to the new Program Files and make a shortcut for it on the desktop; or if you don't want to clutter up the desktop place them here,

C:\Users\Your Name\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu

 

[LoosyGoosy]

I cleaned out the windows.old folder using Disk Cleanup although the folder still exists can I just manually delete what is left?

 

[stormy13]

I cleaned out the windows.old folder using Disk Cleanup although the folder still exists can I just manually delete what is left?

Yes.

 

[LoosyGoosy]

Thanks stormy13

 

[sfazngiants]

so what is with my C drive still using a little more storage as when i have windows vista. would tossing out the windows.old folder solve this? i thought windows 7 uses less date than vista

 

[Brink]

Hello Sfazngiants,

The Windows.old folder is a copy of your previous installation (Vista) files, so it will take up a bit space on the hard drive. If there is nothing in there that you would like to copy back first, then deleting it would free up a large amount of space on your hard drive.

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

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[rich0077]

How to move Program Files Over?

Yes it is safe to delete the windows.old folder.

Before you do you might want to go through it and move over any documents/music/personal files/game save folders/etc you may have forgotten to backup before doing the upgrade install. Also you can save yourself some program install time by going through the Program Files folder (as well as the Program Files (x86) folder if Vista was x64) and testing what programs will work without having to be re-installed. When you fins the ones that do, just move them over to the new Program Files and make a shortcut for it on the desktop; or if you don't want to clutter up the desktop place them here,

C:\Users\Your Name\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu

Thanks for your suggestion!

I am not sure what is the proper way to move programs in the old Program Files over to the new one so that it will work. I moved individual program folder over but could not see the program appear in my new Windows 7.
Thanks in advance for any further instruction.

 

[Brink]

Hello Rich, and welcome to Seven Forums.

When programs install they place entries in your registry, and may place files in other locations than just in the Program Files folder. Unless it is a standalone exe program that didn't require installation, you will usually almost always need to reinstall all of your programs and cannot just copy them over into the new installation.

 

[nobrainz]

WIndows.old Driver Files Query ...

Hi Stormy13: Would this "Copy-Mode" also work for driver files? i.e. I have a couple of Fresco folders in my Windows.old program x86 folder that actually worked back then: (to enable multiple monitors in extended desktop-mode) but somehow this new install has conflicts when I try to extend my desktop regardless I've installed the same drivers again? Cheers.

Yes it is safe to delete the windows.old folder.

Before you do you might want to go through it and move over any documents/music/personal files/game save folders/etc you may have forgotten to backup before doing the upgrade install. Also you can save yourself some program install time by going through the Program Files folder (as well as the Program Files (x86) folder if Vista was x64) and testing what programs will work without having to be re-installed. When you fins the ones that do, just move them over to the new Program Files and make a shortcut for it on the desktop; or if you don't want to clutter up the desktop place them here,

C:\Users\Your Name\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu