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When you install an update on your PC, a mysterious folder may suddenly appear: Windows.old. The latter can be very useful in the event of a problem during the update, by allowing you to revert to an older version of Windows. But it can also eat up a little too much space on your computer. Here we explain how to remove it.
You've probably already wondered what this strange folder called Windows.old that appeared out of nowhere on your PC could be. Furthermore, if you have switched to Windows 11, there is a good chance that you have found yourself faced with it, without knowing what to do with it. After a few days, it then disappeared without you having to do anything.
At the risk of sounding like a joke, this is not a bug, but a feature. Indeed, this mysterious folder whenever you install an update plays a very important role during it. However, for various reasons, you may want to remove it from your PC. We explain everything to you in this article.
At the risk of sounding like a joke, this is not a bug, but a feature. Indeed, this mysterious folder whenever you install an update plays a very important role during it. However, for various reasons, you may want to remove it from your PC. We explain everything to you in this article.
WHAT IS WINDOWS.OLD ?!?
We can never say it enough, it is essential to create a backup of your PC before an update, especially when it is significant. If this goes wrong, important system files may be corrupted, jeopardizing the stability of the operating system and, in fact, all of your data. This is why Windows sometimes takes the lead, in case you have not made a backup, by generating the Windows.old folder.
As its name suggests, Windows.old is a complete backup of the old version of Windows just before an update. In the event of a problem, the file allows the user to return to this old version and thus resolve any problems caused by the upgrade. This is also why it automatically disappears after 10 days, since the OS considers that you will no longer need it after this period of time.
As its name suggests, Windows.old is a complete backup of the old version of Windows just before an update. In the event of a problem, the file allows the user to return to this old version and thus resolve any problems caused by the upgrade. This is also why it automatically disappears after 10 days, since the OS considers that you will no longer need it after this period of time.
WHY DELETE THE WINDOWS.OLD FOLDER ?!?
If Windows.old deletes itself automatically after 10 days, you can choose to wait until the end of this period to let it disappear on its own. Especially since the latter can prove useful, in the event that you detect a problem after just a few days, which would require going back to an old version of your operating system.
But you may also prefer not to wait until the end of these 10 days. The most common reason is the size of the folder, which takes up quite a lot of space on your hard drive or SSD. However, if you have just installed a big update, or even if you have just upgraded to Windows 11, you may plan to take advantage of this opportunity to do a major cleaning on your PC.
It is entirely possible to delete the Windows.old folder. But before doing so, it is important to remember that it plays a crucial role. By removing it, you remove any possibility of going back if something goes wrong. So make sure everything is working properly before getting rid of the file or, at the very least, make a backup backup of your data.
But you may also prefer not to wait until the end of these 10 days. The most common reason is the size of the folder, which takes up quite a lot of space on your hard drive or SSD. However, if you have just installed a big update, or even if you have just upgraded to Windows 11, you may plan to take advantage of this opportunity to do a major cleaning on your PC.
It is entirely possible to delete the Windows.old folder. But before doing so, it is important to remember that it plays a crucial role. By removing it, you remove any possibility of going back if something goes wrong. So make sure everything is working properly before getting rid of the file or, at the very least, make a backup backup of your data.
HOW TO DELETE WINDOWS.OLD FOLDER ?!?
If you clicked on this article, it is probably because you noticed that you cannot remove Windows.old in the traditional way. Fortunately, that doesn't mean it's impossible. Here is the procedure to follow to get rid of the file :
- Open Windows Settings (keyboard shortcut: Win + I)
- Go to the System section, then click on Storage
- Click Temporary Files
- In the new window, check the Previous Windows installation(s) box
Note that this only appears if you have installed an update within the last 10 days.
- Finally, click on the Delete Files button
- You can take advantage of this to delete other temporary files and thus free up even more space on your PC
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