How to Delete Windows Old in Windows 11?
Are you thinking of upgrading to Windows 11? If so, you may be wondering how to delete the Windows.old folder on your computer. This folder stores the files from your previous version of Windows, taking up valuable storage space on your hard drive. Fortunately, getting rid of it is quite simple and only takes a few minutes. In this article, we will explain how to delete Windows.old in Windows 11.
- Press the Windows key + R together to open the Run window.
- Type cleanmgr.exe and press Enter.
- Select the C: drive and click OK.
- Check the Previous Windows Installation(s) checkbox and click OK.
- Finally, click Delete Files to remove the Windows.old folder.
What is Windows.old?
Windows.old is a folder created by Windows 10 when users upgrade from a previous version of Windows. It contains all the files from the previous version of Windows, including programs, settings, and user files. This folder is used to rollback to the previous version of Windows in case the upgrade process fails.
The Windows.old folder is usually located in the root of the primary hard drive, usually C:\Windows.old. It can be several gigabytes in size, so it can take up valuable storage space.
Why Should You Delete Windows.old?
The Windows.old folder can take up valuable storage space, so if you don’t plan on downgrading your Windows version, it’s best to delete it. Deleting Windows.old will also help improve system performance, as the files stored in this folder are no longer being accessed.
If you plan on downgrading your Windows version, it’s best to keep the Windows.old folder. This folder contains all the files needed to downgrade to the previous version of Windows.
How To Delete Windows.old in Windows 11?
Deleting Windows.old in Windows 11 is a simple process. The first step is to open the Settings app. You can do this by clicking the Start button and then selecting Settings.
Using Storage Sense
The easiest way to delete Windows.old in Windows 11 is to use Storage Sense. To do this, go to the System section of the Settings app and select Storage. Then, toggle the Storage Sense switch to On.
Storage Sense will then automatically delete temporary files, including the Windows.old folder, whenever your system runs low on storage.
Using Disk Cleanup
You can also delete Windows.old using Disk Cleanup. To do this, open File Explorer and right-click on the primary hard drive (usually C:). Then select Properties and then select the Disk Cleanup button.
Select the files you want to delete and then select the Cleanup system files button. This will open the Disk Cleanup window. Select the Previous Windows installation(s) option and then select OK. This will delete the Windows.old folder.
Using Command Prompt
You can also delete the Windows.old folder using Command Prompt. To do this, open Command Prompt as an administrator. Then, type the following command and press Enter:
rd /s /q C:\Windows.old
This will delete the Windows.old folder and all its contents.
Top 6 Frequently Asked Questions
What is Windows Old?
Windows Old is a folder created by Windows 10 when it upgrades from a previous version. It stores the files and settings of the previous version so that you can revert to it if there are any compatibility issues with the new version.
What Does Deleting Windows Old Do?
Deleting Windows Old will free up some space on your hard drive, as the folder can take up several gigabytes of space. It will also prevent any files or settings from the previous version of Windows from being loaded.
How Do I Delete Windows Old in Windows 11?
You can delete Windows Old in Windows 11 by opening File Explorer, navigating to the C:\ drive and double-clicking on the Windows.old folder. Once you have done this, you can select all the files and folders in the Windows.old folder and delete them.
Are There Any Risks to Deleting Windows Old?
Yes, there are risks to deleting Windows Old. If you delete the folder, you will no longer be able to revert back to the previous version of Windows. Additionally, you may lose important system files or settings if they are stored in the Windows.old folder.
Is There an Alternative to Deleting Windows Old?
Yes, there is an alternative to deleting Windows Old. You can use the Disk Cleanup tool to compress the Windows.old folder, which will reduce the size of the folder without deleting it. This will allow you to keep the folder in case you need to revert back to the previous version of Windows.
Are There Any Benefits to Keeping Windows Old?
Yes, there are benefits to keeping Windows Old. If you ever need to revert back to the previous version of Windows, the Windows.old folder will contain all of the files and settings from the previous version, which can make the process of reverting much easier. Additionally, if you ever need to troubleshoot any compatibility issues, the Windows.old folder can be a valuable source of information.
In conclusion, deleting Windows Old in Windows 11 is a simple process that does not require any extra tools or software. It should take less than five minutes to complete the process by following the steps outlined in this article. By removing the Windows Old folder, you can free up valuable disk space and keep your system running more efficiently.
