The following article includes a guide with instructions aimed towards helping users uninstall Windows 7. The guide will work for all users who have updated to Windows 10.
So, you’ve upgraded to the latest Windows version from Windows 7. It’s all cool, you’re happy and possibly still exploring the features of your new operating system. But one issue arises and that is the incredibly space-consuming Windows.old folder on your system that still holds the details of your older OS. Many users find this quite annoying, especially if they’re completely satisfied with the newer version of Windows they’ve installed and have no intention of looking back.
That’s all fine, however, there’s actually a pretty legit reason for that folder to exist. For example, it’s there for anyone who wasn’t happy with the upgrade and actually found themselves longing for the old version. Picture being in that situation and not being able to go back to the way things used to be or having to pay (again) for the luxury of downgrading. Another possible scenario of why you might need the Windows.old folder is that something wasn’t copied to your new Windows version. A file, a program – whatever it is, you upgraded and found that something was missing. How do you fix that? By getting it from the Windows.old folder, where all the details from your old OS are, of course!
So, as you can see, there are some pretty good reasons for that folder to be there and consume some of your precious space. If the above may have prompted you to double-check your system for any missing components, you might want to hurry up, as Windows will automatically delete the folder on its own a month after you have upgraded. But since you’re here, you probably don’t feel like waiting that long, so here’s our fix for freeing up space on your computer. Keep in mind that simply deleting the folder the way you usually would with just about any other one won’t do the trick, so read on.
How To Uninstall Windows 7
How to delete the Windows.old folder in Windows 10
- Go to the Start menu and search for “Disk cleanup”. Click on the first result.
- Under Files to delete tick the box next to Previous Windows installation(s).
- Click OK.
The above actions will delete the Windows.old file and will have solved your free space issue, but you may also use the Disk Cleanup tool to remove any other unnecessary files on your for that purpose, such as Temporary Internet files, etc. However, please make sure to research whatever it is else that you’re thinking of deleting before doing so, as you might end up removing something important.