[Full Guide] How to Remove Windows Old Files from Windows

Benefits of Clearing Old Files From Windows

For a few reasons, keeping your computer free of old, unnecessary files is essential. First, the more cluttered your hard drive is, the slower your computer will run. This can be especially problematic if you’re trying to work with large files or programs that require quick access times.

Also, having a lot of old data on your PC increases the risk of data breaches, as outdated software may not be secure. Finally, finding the files you need is easier when there is less clutter. Removing old files can help keep your computer running smoothly and your data secure.

Using Disk Cleanup

Upgrading your Windows OS usually creates a folder named Windows.old, which stores all the files and folders from your previous OS. This folder can take up a large amount of storage space, which may cause your computer’s reduced performance. To free up storage space, we recommend deleting the Windows.old folder. To do this, follow the instructions below.

Step 1: Open the Start menu. Type Disk Cleanup and click the Open button.

Step 2: Select Windows (C:) drive. Click OK.

Step 3: Locate and find the Previous Windows installation. Check the box and click OK to delete.

Using Storage Settings

Deleting a previous Windows installation using Storage Settings can be pretty straightforward. It is important to note that you must have the latest version of Windows installed on your device before you can delete the old version. Here is how you do it.

Step 1: Open Windows Settings by opening the start menu and clicking the settings icon.

Step 2: Click System and select Storage.

Step 3: In the right pane, click Temporary files.

Step 4: Now, find and check the box for Previous Windows installation(s).

Step 5: Click the Remove files button and click Continue to confirm.

Step 6: Wait for the process to finish and close the Window.

Using the Command Prompt

Using the command prompt, the process is straightforward if you want to delete a previous Windows installation. It involves using a few commands to delete the files associated with the previous installation and certain registry entries.

This process will help you reclaim space on your hard drive and eliminate any potentially unnecessary files left behind by the previous installation. While it may seem intimidating, the process is relatively simple and can be completed quickly. With the proper knowledge and patience, you can quickly delete a previous Windows installation using the command prompt. (or delete key)

Step 1: Open the Start menu, and type cmd.

Step 2: Click Run as administrator and select Yes.

Step 3: In the command prompt window, type “RD /S /Q %SystemDrive%\windows.old” and press Enter.

An Alternate Command:

Step 1: Open the Start menu, and type cmd.

Step 2: Click Run as administrator and select Yes.

Step 3: Type takeown /F “C:\Windows in the command prompt window.old” /A /R /D Y” and press enter. This will take ownership of the file.

Wait for the completion message; it should read like this:

Step 4: Now, type this command to change the permission icacls “C:\Windows.old” /grant *S-1-5-32-544:F /T /C /Q”

Step 5: Press Enter.

Step 6: Type this command to delete Windows.old, RD /S /Q “C:\Windows.old” and press Enter to delete.

Using Storage Sense

Storage Sense is the simplest way to remove Windows.old folder from your device. To do so, follow these steps:

Step 1: Press Win + I to open the Windows Settings.

Step 2: Click on System and select Storage.

Step 3: Click Configure Storage Sense or run it now.

Step 4: Check the box Delete the previous version of Windows.

Step 5: Click the Clean Now button.

Once you finish the procedures, the folder associated with the prior Windows 10 installation will no longer be on your device.

Using Command Prompt at Boot

If you’re having difficulty getting Take Ownership to work, you can delete Windows.old using Command Prompt during startup.

Step 1: First, restart your PC and boot to Advanced Startup. Then, open the Start menu and click the Power button icon.

Step 2: Hold the Shift key and click Restart.

Step 3: After your PC restart, Click Troubleshoot.

Step 4: Select the Advanced Option and Click Command Prompt.

Step 5: In your command prompt window, Type diskpart and press Enter.

Step 6: Then run the list volume, Type list volume, and press Enter.

After executing the list volume command, search for the drive letter of your Windows 10 drive in the ltr column. The C drive generally corresponds to 98% of people. But it depends on where you install the Windows. Once that is identified, verify the size to ensure it is correct. (In the picture below, the windows.old is located in D)

Step 7: Then type exit.

Step 8: Execute delete the windows.old folder command as follows: RD /S /Q “D:\Windows .old”

Step 9: Close the Command Prompt and click continue to boot into your system.

Can You Retrieve Files After Deleting Them

Deleting a file on Windows can be done in a couple of different ways – through the Recycle Bin, by directly deleting it from your hard drive, or with special software. If you’ve accidentally deleted a file and need to retrieve it, several methods can be used to recover the data.

The first option is to restore the file from the Recycle Bin on your PC. This is the easiest and most successful method for retrieving deleted files. If a file was recently deleted and you’re sure it hasn’t been overwritten, you can open the Recycle Bin (usually found in the start menu), select the file, and click the restore button. The file will be restored to its original location on your computer.

If the file has already been emptied from the Recycle Bin, or if you deleted it directly from your hard drive, you can try using special recovery software to retrieve it. Several options are available online – some free and some paid – but they may not always work depending on how badly the data has been overwritten.

In most cases, these programs will scan your storage device for any files that have been deleted and display a list of the deleted files with their original names and locations so you can easily restore them.

Conclusion: Simplify Your System: Remove Windows Old Files With Confidence

In conclusion, removing old and unnecessary files from your Windows system can significantly impact your computer’s performance and speed. As we discussed in this guide, there are several methods you can use to clear out old files, including Disk Cleanup, Storage Settings, Command Prompt, Storage Sense, and Command Prompt at Boot.

While each method may vary in complexity, they are all effective in freeing up disk space and improving your system’s overall performance. However, before you delete any files, you must ensure you don’t accidentally remove any important data.

As we mentioned, some files may be recoverable even after deletion, but it’s always best to create a backup of any files you want to keep before deleting them. By following these steps, you can keep your computer running smoothly and efficiently while keeping your data safe.

Frequently Asked Questions About Removing Old Files From Windows