How to Delete Windows.old Folder on Windows 10

Try expert-tested ways and instantly free up storage on the PC

4 min. read

Updated onFebruary 26, 2024

updated onFebruary 26, 2024

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Starting from Vista, Windows creates a folder calledWindows.oldwhen you upgrade the installed iteration. Though it’s practically harmless, many users want to removeWindows.oldfolder toclear up storage spaceon the PC.

But what is theWindows.oldfolder, why you have it, will delete it affects the functioning of Windows, and what are the ways to deleteWindows.oldfolder. These are some of the questions users often ask. Let’s find out the answer to each.

How to delete Windows.old folder from Windows 10?

1. Use Disk Cleanup

That’s it! This should remove and delete theWindows.oldfolder on your PC and clear up storage right away.

2. Via Settings

All you have to do now is wait for the OS to remove theWindows.oldfolder. It shouldn’t take much time.

3. Use Command Prompt

ClickYesin theUACprompt that appears.
Now, pastethe following commands individually and pressEnterafter each one:takeown /F C:Windows.old /A /Ricacls C:Windows.old /Grant Administrators:F /inheritance:e /Tattrib -r -a -s -h C:Windows.old /S /DRD /S /Q %SystemDrive%windows.old
After the commands are executed, closeCommand Promptand check if theWindows.oldfolder is deleted.

An easy and quick method to delete the Windows.old folder on your device is to do this through Command Prompt. All you need to do is run a few deletion commands, then the tool will remove the folder for good.

4. Use CCleaner

CCleaner is one of the besttools to clear storageon the hard drive, and it can be used to delete a range of files. Besides, the app is capable of running deep scans and identifying files stored deep down.

5. Manually delete the Windows.old folder

That’s it! If the other methods to removeWindows.oldfolder didn’t work, you could always delete it manually. It would require reconfiguring the permissions and taking control of the folder.

Keep in mind that when you install a new version of Windows, such as Windows 10, for example, your system automatically moves your older installation toWindows.oldfolder. This way, you can quicklyroll back to the previous iterationif the new one doesn’t work well.

In addition, this folder works as a backup, so even if the installation process fails for some reason, your PC can useWindows.oldfolder to restore the previous version of Windows.

The size of theWindows.oldfolder ranges anywhere between 6 to 30 GB depending on the previous installation.

Yes, you can safely and, in all likelihood, easily remove theWindows.oldfolder from your PC. Windows, anyway, will delete it after 10 days. That’s the maximum period you canrevert to the previous iterationwithout having to do a complete reinstall.

Remember, once you remove theWindows.oldfolder, you will have to reinstall the OS using the Media Creation Tool or abootable USBif you plan to downgrade the OS. So, make sure to verify this beforehand.

If the sole objective of deleting the folder was to clear storage, do not forget to check the otherways to free up disk space. We also have a guide onremoving extra Windows folder, so don’t miss it.

Tell us which method you choose to delete theWindows.oldfolder in the comments section below.

How to Delete Windows.old Folder on Windows 10#

How to delete Windows.old folder from Windows 10?#

1. Use Disk Cleanup#

2. Via Settings#

3. Use Command Prompt#

4. Use CCleaner#

5. Manually delete the Windows.old folder#