How to completely remove Windows.old

The Windows.old folder is a folder generated in versions of the operating system prior to the Windows 10 update. This folder contains old Windows installation files, program files, and personal files, and it takes up a lot of disk space. When you've confirmed that you won't be rolling back to an older operating system version some time after using Windows 10 updates, you might consider deleting the Windows.old folder entirely. Here are some methods for you to choose from.

Method 1: Use the Disk Cleanup Tool
Windows 10 provides a built-in Disk Cleanup tool that can help you delete files and folders you no longer need, including the Windows.old folder. You can follow these steps:

1. Type "Disk Cleanup" in the search bar of Windows 10 and select the Disk Cleanup app.
2. Select the disk you want to clean, usually the system disk (usually labeled "C:").
3. Click the "Clean System Files" button.
4. Check the "Previous Windows installation" option and make sure the other options are also checked (based on your needs).
5. Click the OK button and confirm your choice again.
6. The system will begin deleting the Windows.old folder and its contents. Please wait patiently for completion.

Method 2: Manual deletion
If you cannot delete the Windows.old folder using the Disk Cleanup tool, or you want to delete it more completely, you can try the following:

1. Open Explorer (press the Win E key) and browse to the system drive (usually "C:").
2. Type "C:Windows.old" in Explorer's address bar and press Enter.
3. Right-click on the Windows.old folder and select the Delete option.

Please note that since the Windows.old folder is a system folder, you may need administrator rights to delete it. If a confirmation dialog pops up, click the "Continue" button to authorize the deletion.

Extra Tip:

• Deleting the Windows.old folder may take some time, depending on the size of the folder and the performance of your computer. Please do not interrupt the deletion process as it may cause other problems.
• Before deleting the Windows.old folder, make sure you no longer need any of the files in it as they cannot be recovered after deletion.

Summary:
The above are two commonly used methods to completely delete the Windows.old folder. You can choose one of the methods according to your own needs, and be careful to back up important files to avoid accidental deletion. Deleting the Windows.old folder frees up disk space and makes your computer run smoother.

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