What is the Windows.old folder? How to delete the Windows.old folder

Computer operating systems are increasingly improving, bringing users great experiences. Windows is no longer a stranger to us, but what is the Windows.old folder, is still a question mark for many users. Let's find the answer and how to delete the Windows.old folder very easily in this article!

1. What is the Windows.old folder?

The Windows.old folder is a type of folder that contains all the settings from previous versions of Windows including documents and other files.

Thus, the Windows.old folder is created when the computer is upgraded to a new version of Windows or from one version to another.

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The Windows.old folder is 'available' to support those cases where users want to switch from version to version without losing data.

Or a place to help you find files that are not copied correctly in the new version.

In short, this folder is a place to store files and data that were installed in old Windows that you can find again when needed.

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2. How to recover individual files from the Windows.old folder

To recover individual files, just open the File Explorer window > Select the C: drive > Search the Windows.old folder > Find the file you want to recover.

To find your personal files, go to the following: C:Windows.oldUsersYour name.

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3. How to downgrade to an old version of Windows

Step 1: Go to Settings > Select Update & Security.

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Step 3: Select Recovery > Select the feature Go back to the previous version of Windows X (X is the previous version number).

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Find Recovery > select Get Started under Go back to the previous version

Note: If the message This option is no longer available because your PC was updated more than 10 hours ago, you cannot downgrade.

4. Should the Windows.old folder be deleted?

When upgrading to new Windows, the Windows.old folder will appear in the C: drive. Although very convenient for finding old data, it takes up a lot of space, making  the computer  heavier.

Deleting this special folder is completely possible, but cannot be deleted in the usual way like other normal folders.

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5. How to delete the Windows.old folder

How to delete the Windows.old folder in Command Prompt

Step 1: Search 'CMD' > Open CMD > Right click and select Run as administrator.

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Step 2: Copy the command line: 'RD /S /Q %SystemDrive%windows.old' > Right-click on CMD > Select Paste. (Do not use the combination Ctrl + V).

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Step 3: Select OK and wait for the system to complete.

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How to delete the Windows.old folder using the Storage feature

Step 1: Type Storage in the search box > Enter.

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Step 2: Select Temporary Files.

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Step 3: Scroll down and select Previous Windows installation(s) > Click Remove Files to proceed with deletion.

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The above article has provided you with information about the Windows.old folder. Hope it will be useful to you. Wishing you every success in all fields.

Jessica Tanner

Update 06 July 2021