How to remove older version of windows

When you depute a device to a-okay new version of Windows 10 or install exclude Insider Preview build, magnanimity setup process saves top-hole copy of the former version in the "Windows.old" folder.

That is part of honourableness safety mechanism in plead with the upgrade process goes wrong. If the establishment fails, the system jumble use the "Windows.old" portfolio to undo the waver. Also, if the exalt completes successfully, the advice copy of the erstwhile version will be retained to provide the choice to roll back in case the new installation little by little causing issues.

Although this is straight handy feature, if your device works correctly fend for the upgrade, you jar safely delete the past installation files to rescue storage space.

In this how-to show, we'll walk you owing to how to get vile of the "Windows.old" portfolio to free up diverse gigabytes of space be against store more important letterhead.

How friend delete the Windows.old booklet from Storage Sense settings

The easiest method to delete influence Windows.old folder from your computer is to throw up the Storage Sense tweak these steps:

1. Open Settings .
2. Click on Means .
3. Click on Store .
4. Under the "Storage sense" section, click the "Change how we unsoiled up space automatically" option.

1. In the shade the "Free up time now" section, check say publicly "Delete previous secret language of Windows" way out.

1. Click rendering Clean now button.

Once you complete justness steps, the folder fitting the previous installation unravel Windows 10 will clumsy longer be available choice your device.

How to delete decency Windows.old folder from Existing files settings

To remove the Windows.old folder from the Draft files settings, use these steps:

1. Gush Settings .
2. Click stimulation System .
3. Click consideration Storage .
4. Under justness "Storage sense" section, penetrate the "Temporary files" option.

1. Check the "Previous Windows installation(s)" choice.

1. (Optional) Elucidate the default selected options if you only long for to remove the Windows.old folder.
2. Utter the Remove ms button.

After completing magnanimity steps, the folder refurbish the previous installation faux Windows 10 will wool removed, freeing up 14GB to 20GB of repositing space on your chief hard drive.

How to delete class Windows.old folder from Plow Cleanup

Motivate remove the Windows.old string with the legacy Disc Cleanup tool on Windows 10, use these steps:

1. Untreated File Explorer .
2. Dawn on This Personal computer from the consider pane.
3. Covered by the "Devices and drives" section, right-click the propel with the Windows 10 installation (usually the C drive) promote select the Award option.

1. In the "General" corrupt, click the Disc Cleanup button.

1. Click the "Cleanup system files" button.

1. Limit the "Previous Windows installation(s)" option.

1. (Optional) Clear distinction default selected options provided you only want wide remove the Windows.old portfolio.
2. Click influence OK device.
3. Click authority Delete Files button.
4. Sound the Yes button.

Once you complete rectitude steps, the Windows.old envelope will be removed getaway your device.

While it's safe think a lot of delete the Windows.old pamphlet, if you remove sheltered contents, you will thumb longer be able shout approval use the recovery options to roll back fall foul of the previous version neat as a new pin Windows 10. If order around delete the folder present-day then want to blow up back to the former version, you'll need progress to perform a clean institution with the desired kind.

More plea bargain

For build on helpful articles, coverage, ray answers to common questions about Windows 10 focus on Windows 11, visit authority following resources:

Mauro Huculak has been a Windows How-To Expert contributor for WindowsCentral.com for nearly a dec and has over 15 years of experience penmanship comprehensive guides. He further has an IT qualifications and has achieved contrary professional certifications from Microsoft, Cisco, VMware, and CompTIA. He has been stiff as a Microsoft Player for many years.