How To Delete Previous Version Of Windows

When y'all upgrade your calculator to a new version of Windows ten, or you install a preview build, the installation process saves a re-create of the previous version in the "Windows.sometime" folder.

This is part of the safety machinery in case the upgrade process goes wrong. If the installation fails for any reason, the organization can use the Windows.old folder to disengage the changes. Also, if the upgrade completes successfully, the backup re-create of the previous version volition be kept to provide the option to rollback in the case the new installation is causing issues.

Although this is a handy feature, if your calculator is working correctly subsequently the upgrade, y'all can safely delete the Windows.one-time folder to reclaim gigabytes of space.

In this Windows 10 guide, nosotros'll walk yous through the unlike ways that you can become rid of the Windows.old folder to free up several gigabytes of space to store more than important files.

How to delete the Windows.onetime folder using Storage sense settings
How to delete the Windows.old binder using Temporary files settings
How to delete the Windows.old folder using Disk Cleanup

Update November 29, 2018: We've updated this article with the latest information for the Windows ten Oct 2018 Update.

How to delete the Windows.one-time binder using Storage sense settings

The easiest method to delete the Windows.old folder from your device is to utilise the Storage sense with these steps:

Open up Settings.
Click on System.
Click on Storage.
Under the "Storage sense" section, click the Change how we costless upwards space automatically option.
Under the "Free up space now" section, bank check the Delete previous version of Windows option.
Click the Make clean now button.

Once you've completed the steps, the folder with the previous installation of Windows ten volition no longer be available on your device.

How to delete the Windows.quondam folder using Temporary files settings

Alternatively, using the Settings app, yous can delete the Windows.old folder using the Temporary files settings with these steps:

Open Settings.
Click on System.
Click on Storage.
Nether the "Storage sense" section, click the Free up infinite now option.
Check the Previous Windows installation(southward) choice.
(Optional) Articulate the default selected options if you only want to remove the Windows.quondam folder to free up space.
Click the Remove files push button.

Later on completing the steps, the folder with the previous installation of Windows 10 will be removed freeing upwards 14GB to 20GB of storage space on your primary hard drive.

How to delete the Windows.old folder using Disk Cleanup

You can also delete the Windows.erstwhile folder using the legacy Disk Cleanup tool with these steps:

Open up File Explorer.
Click on This PC from the left pane.
Under the "Devices and drives" section, right-click the drive with the Windows 10 installation (usually the C drive) and select the Properties selection.
In the "General" tab, click the Disk Cleanup button.
Click the Cleanup organization files button.
Check the Previous Windows installation(s) selection.
(Optional) Clear the default selected options if you lot simply want to remove the Windows.onetime binder to free up space.

Of import: Starting with the October 2018 Update, Windows 10 is deprecating Disk Cleanup in favor of Storage sense, but information technology adds an selection to delete all the contents from the Downloads folder. If you're using this option, and you lot have important files in the Downloads folder, make certain to clear this option.
Click the OK button.
Click the Delete Files button to confirm the deletion.
Click the Aye push button to confirm the alarm.

Once you've completed the steps, the Windows.quondam folder will be removed from your device.

Wrapping things up

While it'south prophylactic to delete the Windows.quondam binder, if you remove its contents, yous volition no longer exist able to employ the recovery options to rollback to the previous version of Windows x. If y'all delete the folder, and so yous want to rollback, you'll need to perform a clean installation with the desire version.

More Windows 10 resource

For more helpful manufactures, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10, visit the post-obit resources:

Windows ten on Windows Cardinal – All yous need to know
Windows x assist, tips, and tricks
Windows x forums on Windows Key