Have you noticed that your hard drive is fuller than usual after a Windows update? If so, the culprit could be the Windows.old folder, which stores files from the previous version of the operating system. Although Windows automatically deletes it after a while, you might want to delete it sooner to free up disk space . If you need more information on dealing with permissions, see this article about permissions in Windows 10.
However, it's not as simple as clicking 'Delete'. This folder is protected by the system and requires specific methods for its removal. In this article, we explain step by step how to safely delete the Windows.old folder in Windows 10 and Windows 11 without affecting your computer's performance.
What is the Windows.old folder and why is it created?
When you update your operating system, Windows creates a folder called Windows.old, where it stores the previous version of the system. Its main purpose is to allow you to revert to the previous version of Windows if the update causes problems or you're not satisfied with it. If you'd like to learn more about the system file structure and cleaning up folders, see this article on cleaning up installation folders.
In addition to system files, this folder contains settings, user profiles, and personal data . This can cause it to take up several gigabytes and is one of the main reasons why disk space is reduced after a Windows update.
Is it safe to delete Windows.old?
Yes, deleting the Windows.old folder is safe , as long as you're sure you don't need to revert to the previous version of the operating system. Windows automatically deletes it after 10 days (in Windows 10) or 30 days (in earlier versions), but if you need the space sooner, you can delete it manually. If you're having trouble accessing certain files, check out our tips on access denied in Windows.
How to delete Windows.old in Windows 10 and Windows 11
Below, we explain the most effective methods to remove the Windows.old folder from your system:
1. Use Storage Sense
Windows 10 and Windows 11 have a tool called Storage Sense that lets you delete unnecessary files, including the Windows.old folder. Follow these steps:
- Opens Configuration from the Start menu.
- Choose System and then Storage.
- In the Storage Sense section, click Change how we automatically free up space.
- Activate the option Delete previous versions of Windows.
- Press the button Clean now to complete the process.
2. Use Disk Cleanup
Disk Cleanup is a classic Windows tool for deleting unnecessary files. To use it:
- Press Windows + R, writes cleanmgr and hit Enter.
- Select the drive where Windows is installed (usually C:).
- Click on Clean system files.
- Check the option Previous Windows installations.
- Press Accept and then Delete files.
3. Use Command Prompt (CMD)
If you prefer to do it manually using commands , follow these steps:
- Open the Symbol of the system with administrator permissions (search cmd, right click and select Run as administrator).
- Type the following command and press Enter:
takeown /F "C:\Windows.old" /A /R /DY
- Then run:
icacls "C:\Windows.old" /grant *S-1-5-32-544:F /T /C /Q
- Finally, delete the folder with:
RD /S /Q "C:\Windows.old"
This process will remove Windows.old without the need for additional tools . For more information on reinstalling Windows, you can refer to this article on reinstalling Windows 10.
What to do if you can't delete Windows.old?
If you follow these methods and still can't delete Windows.old, you likely need additional permissions . To fix this, log in with an administrator account and try again. If you continue to experience problems, check your system for any errors that might require troubleshooting in Windows 10.
Another solution is to restart in Safe Mode before attempting to delete the folder. To do this:
- Press Windows + R, writes msconfig and hit Enter.
- Go to the tab start and check the option Fail-safe boot.
- Restart your computer and try deleting the folder from File Explorer or CMD.
If you still can't delete Windows.old after this, there may be files locked by the system. To remove them, you can use third-party tools like Unlocker.
Windows.old is a useful folder when you want to revert to a previous version of Windows, but if you don't need it, you can easily delete it to free up space. There are several ways to do this, from built-in tools like Storage Sense and Disk Cleanup to advanced methods using CMD. By following these steps, you can safely delete it without risking your system.
