If you recently upgraded to the latest version of Windows, as Microsoft released the Moment 2 update for Windows 11, your PC might consume more space. This is because there is a file named Windows. An old folder that has been wasting valuable space on your computer.
However, deleting the Windows .old folder is safe. Before proceeding, we would like to let you know that whenever you upgrade your Windows to the latest version, a new folder is automatically created on your computer. This folder contains installed programmes and files, settings, and data for users, which were important to run on your old Windows system. It was created to protect your computer from system update failure and help it roll back to the previous system. Thus, it makes it easier to undo changes in the event of failure. Deleting this file leaves no chance to roll back to the previous system.
Is it safe to delete Windows .Old on Windows 11?
Yes, deleting Windows .old files on Windows 11 is safe, but some users find it difficult. So, let’s examine this and learn more about it.
Can I delete Windows .Old? Yes, you can, and it is safe. You will not be eligible to roll back to the previous system due to issues with the new system. There will be no effect on your security, and nothing will compromise it. However, it automatically gets deleted after 28 days, so you do not have to worry about anything. It just gives users the option to roll back to 28 days.
Delete Windows .old
- Open File Explorer (shortcut key: Windows + E).
- Afterward, head to the C drive, where your windows are installed.
- There, you will find the Windows. old file at the bottom of the File Explorer page.
- Select the file, click Shift + Delete, and hit Enter to confirm your action.
- That is it!
Delete Windows. Old with StorageSense Settings from Windows 11’s storage settings page.
- Open Windows Settings (shortcut key: Windows + I).
- Go to the system, and from there, head over to storage.
- From there, enable Storage Sense, and under Storage Management, you can choose Clean Up Recommendations.
- From there, you can delete the previous version of Windows or the previous Windows installation(s).
- Check the checkbox for it, and then click on Clean Up.
- That is it!
Delete Windows .old from the Temporary File Settings.
- Open Windows Settings and head over to the system.
- From there, go to storage, and then you will find temporary files under Storage Sense.
- Click on it, and then you will find Previous Windows Installation.
- Check the checkbox for it, and then click Remove Files.
- That is it!
Delete the .old Windows files using Disc Cleanup.
- Open Windows File Explorer and right-click on your C drive where Windows is installed.
- From there, right-click on it to open Properties.
- After that, you will have the option to clean the disc. Click on it.
- This will open Disc Cleanup for Windows, with a list of files to delete.
- Check the Previous Windows Installation(s) checkbox, and click OK.
- It will start removing itself. Once it finishes, click OK, and your Windows .old file will be removed.
- That is it!
After deleting those files, you can free up much storage on your computer with these simple steps. It’s also going to help you boost your performance. If you later want to roll back to the previous version of Windows, you need to do a clean installation of your choice of Windows.