Has it ever happened to you that after upgrading the operating system of the seventh or eighth modification to the tenth version, or when installing the latest updated assemblies of the "top ten" in the system partition (on drive C), an impressive size folder was found called Windows.old? Why is it needed, some users do not know, not to mention how to get rid of it as unnecessary. Consider a few basic methods that allow you to delete the Windows.old folder in Win 10, as well as deal with the purpose of the desired directory and the consequences of such actions.
What is the Windows.old object and why is it needed?
Speaking about the main role that is assigned to the described directory in Windows 10, it should be noted right away that this folder contains files of past systems and assemblies, designed so that the user can easily return to the previous system by performing a rollback. This applies equally to those cases when you upgraded the existing OS of the seventh or eighth version to the tenth (and did not perform a clean installation), and to situations where upgrades in the form of updated assemblies were installed for the "top ten" (all kinds of packages Redstone, April Update, October Update, etc.).
However, few people realize that when switching from Windows 10 to the same “seven” (downgrade), the files of the tenth version of the system during reinstallation are also placed in the Windows.old directory (in case Windows 10 can be restored already). But the size of the folder is very large, so users begin to think about deleting the Windows.old folder in Windows 10 or in similar operating systems of a lower rank. The methods proposed below are quite simple and can be used by users of any level of training. In addition to their consideration, in the end we will try to determine which technique is optimal and most effective. In the meantime, let's think about what such actions might lead to.
Consequences of deleting a directory
Is it possible to get rid of this directory so that it does not affect performance? Yes, you can remove Windows.old in Windows 10, but only on condition that you do not plan to return to previous modifications and assemblies at all. It is clear that if this directory is deleted, a return will become impossible in principle. Some try to copy it to removable media (so to speak, just in case), so that at any time you can return it to its place in the system partition. But here it is important to understand that such actions always turn out to be completely inconclusive.
How to remove Windows.old in Windows 10: options
With an understanding of the purpose of the catalog and the consequences of its removal, I think so far everything is clear. Now we will pass directly to the methods allowing to get rid of this directory. Keep in mind that you won’t be able to delete the Windows.old folder in manual mode in Windows 10 and similar systems, since the strict prohibition is set to perform such actions on the OS itself. Nevertheless, as the simplest methods that can be used if necessary, we consider the following:
- standard cleaning of the system partition;
- deleting a directory through the settings of the storage (hard disk)
- two ways using the command line;
- speeding up the process of automatic deletion in the "Task Scheduler";
- removal with preliminary disabling of blocking descriptors.
How to remove Windows.old on Windows 10: standard disk cleanup
As the first and simplest method, ordinary users can be offered to use the disk cleaning tool that is available on any Windows system. You can call it either through the section properties or from the Run console by entering the cleanmgr command.
But in the window, unlike the standard procedure, it is additionally necessary to press the button for cleaning system files, and in the list that appears after the scan is completed, select the delete item for the previous system files. When using the second method of accessing the cleaning tool, you will need to double-select the section for which such an operation is intended.
Using storage options
Also, simply deleting the Windows.old folder in Windows 10 can be done using the settings available for storage in the options menu, called by pressing the start button.
Here you need to go to the system section, then select the device’s memory item on the left and call up the available options on the right by clicking on the link to immediately free up space.
Further on the list, simply mark the item of previous Windows installations and confirm the deletion of objects.
Removing a Directory from the Shell: Method One
A more advanced method is to delete the Windows.old folder in Windows 10 using command-line tools. In this case, you can use two options.
The first way is to start the console as an administrator, and then set the command shown in the image above to execute it. You can go the longer way, alternately executing the lines shown in the following image.
Using the command line: method two
The second methodology for using the command line tools is not very different from the previous one, but to access the console itself you need to use special boot options with a jump to the troubleshooting menu.
After starting the command line, you will need to determine the letter of the system partition using DISKPART tools for this, and only then run the delete commands that were shown in the previous example. It is believed that this method is the most effective, since the system is not completely loaded at the moment, and the desired deleted directory is not blocked.
Additional techniques
In the case of upgrading the system to "ten", by and large, removing the Windows.old folder in Windows 10 can not be done at all, because after ten days (previously thirty), it will be deleted automatically. Nevertheless, if for some reason you want to speed up the process, you can call up the Task Scheduler (taskschd.msc), use the Scheduler libraries, go through the Microsoft and Windows sections to the Setup directory, open the SetupCleanupTask subfolder, double by clicking call up editing options, and then change the cleaning date to a closer one.
Note: this method does not always work, because after the specified time has elapsed in the "Scheduler" sections that are responsible for setting and changing the relevant parameters may not appear.
Finally, for that matter, getting rid of the ill-fated directory can be even easier. To do this, you need to install the Unlocker utility, which integrates its own command into the Explorer context menu, then call it through RMB in the desired directory, and select delete as the final action in the list. But this method, although it looks simple, nevertheless has one significant drawback associated with the fact that after deleting the directory you will need to clean the registry yourself. To automate this process, you can use special programs like CCleaner, RegCleaner, ASC and their analogues.
Which method is better and easier?
If you give advice on the use of the proposed methods, the most simple can be called using standard tools to clean the system partition. If for some reason a positive result with their application cannot be achieved, use the command line. As mentioned above, when you call it through the advanced boot options, you will get one hundred percent guaranteed removal of the unnecessary directory. But do not forget that you can not even dream of any return to previous systems and assemblies after that.