Can the Windows.old folder be deleted?

windows.old is the folder in the Windows operating system where previous operating system files are stored. When we upgrade to a new Windows version or reinstall the Windows operating system, old files and settings are stored in the windows.old folder. So, can windows.old be deleted?

The answer is yes, the windows.old folder can be deleted. In some cases, deleting the windows.old folder can free up disk space and prevent unnecessary file accumulation. However, there are some factors we need to consider before deleting.

First of all, if you have recently upgraded or reinstalled your Windows operating system, you can roll back to the previous version by following these steps before deleting the windows.old folder: Open "Settings" --> Select "Update & Security" --> Click "Restore" --> Select the "Start" button under "Return to previous version." This allows you to revert to a previous Windows version without losing any files and settings.

Secondly, if you have rolled back to a previous Windows version or you are sure you don't need any files in the windows.old folder, you can delete it by following these steps: Right-click the Windows icon--> Select "Command Prompt (Administrator)" or "Windows PowerShell (Admin)" --> Enter "rd /s /q C:Windows.old" in the Command Prompt or PowerShell window, where C is the system installation drive, change based on the actual drive. This command will delete the entire windows.old folder.

It should be noted that before running the delete command, please make sure you have backed up any important files in the windows.old folder. Because once you delete the windows.old folder, the files inside cannot be recovered.

Finally, one thing to be clear about is that if you are having trouble finding certain files or settings in a new Windows version, deleting the windows.old folder may not resolve those issues. Because windows.old is only used to store the files and settings of the old operating system, not the new files and settings in the new version. In this case, you may need to perform additional troubleshooting steps or reinstall the Windows operating system.

To summarize, the windows.old folder can be deleted, but please make sure to back up any important files before deleting it. If you are not sure how to delete or feel unsafe about deleting, it is recommended that you seek professional help.

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