How to Delete the Windows.old Folder in Window 10, 8, and 7

Remove previous Windows installation files to free up hard drive space

By
Scott Orgera
Scott Orgera
Scott Orgera
Writer
Scott Orgera is a former Lifewire writer covering tech since 2007. He has 25+ years' experience as a programmer and QA leader, and holds several Microsoft certifications including MCSE, MCP+I, and MOUS. He is also A+ certified.
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Updated on March 16, 2021

What to Know

  • Go to Disk Cleanup > Clean up system files > Previous Windows installations > OK.
  • Do not delete the Windows.old folder if you might want to revert to the previous operating system.

This article explains how to remove the Windows.old folder in Windows 10, 8, and 7 to clean up your computer and get rid of files that you no longer need.

How to Delete the Windows.old Folder

If you've upgraded to a new version of Windows at some point, then a significant portion of your previous operating system's files are likely still sitting on your hard drive in a folder named Windows.old. Deleting these files can free up precious space on your PC. To delete the Windows.old folder:

Do not delete the Windows.old folder if there's a chance that you may want to revert back to the previous operating system in the future.

  1. Type disk cleanup in the Windows search box and select the Disk Cleanup app from the list that appears.

    Select the Start Menu to access the search box in older versions of Windows.

    Type disk cleanup in the Windows search box and select the Disk Cleanup app from the list that appears

  2. Select Clean up system files. Disk Cleanup will analyze your hard drive and calculate how much space it can clear up.

    The Clean Up System Files button

  3. Once scanning and analysis are complete, the Disk Cleanup window will re-appear with new options listed under Files to delete. Check the box beside Previous Windows installations (or Older versions of Windows), then remove the checkmarks next to other items in the list (unless you want to delete them from your hard drive as well) and select OK.

    If you do not see these options available, then Disk Cleanup didn't find any old Windows files on your PC.

    Once scanning and analysis is complete, the Disk Cleanup window will re-appear with new options listed under Files to delete
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