When it comes to upgrading your computer to Windows 10, one thing you may encounter is the presence of the Windows.old folder. This folder contains old Windows files that are saved when you upgrade to the new operating system. While it can be useful for some users, it can also take up a significant amount of storage space. In this article, we will explore the Windows.old folder in Windows 10, how to delete it, and the benefits of removing it.
The Windows.old folder can be quite large in size depending on the amount of data and programs you had on your previous Windows version. This can be a concern if you are running low on storage space. While some users find the Windows.old folder useful as a backup in case they need to revert to a previous Windows version, others may find it unnecessary and prefer to remove it manually.
Luckily, Windows 10 provides a built-in option to automatically delete the Windows.old folder after 30 days. This allows you to free up storage space without having to do it manually. However, if you urgently need the additional storage space, you can choose to delete the Windows.old folder manually.
To delete the Windows.old folder using the built-in storage management tool in Windows 10, follow these steps:
1. Go to Settings and click on System.
2. Select Storage.
3. Under Storage Sense, click on ‘Free up space now’.
4. The tool will start scanning your system for files that can be deleted, including the Windows.old folder.
5. Once the scanning is complete, the files available for deletion, including Windows.old, will be displayed.
6. Select the files you want to remove and click on ‘Remove files’ to initiate the removal process.
It is important to note that before deleting the Windows.old folder, you should consider whether you may need to revert to a previous Windows version. If you are certain that you won’t need it, then deleting it manually is a quick and easy process.
The Fall Creators Update introduced a convenient tool called Storage Sense, which helps in managing files and optimizing storage space in Windows 10. With Storage Sense, you can easily delete temporary files, including the Windows.old folder. This provides an efficient way to free up storage space without the need for manual deletion.
By understanding the purpose and use of the Windows.old folder, you can effectively manage your storage space in Windows 10. Whether you choose to manually delete it or let Windows 10 automatically remove it after 30 days, it is important to make informed decisions based on your individual preferences and experience with the operating system.
In conclusion, the Windows.old folder is a folder that contains old Windows files after upgrading to a new operating system. It can take up a significant amount of storage space, but its usefulness depends on the individual user. Windows 10 offers options to automatically delete the Windows.old folder or delete it manually using Storage Sense. Before deleting the folder, consider whether you may need to revert to a previous Windows version. By understanding the purpose and use of the Windows.old folder, you can effectively manage your storage space in Windows 10 and optimize your system’s performance.
