How to delete Windows.old in Windows 11 and 10

Applies to: Windows 11 and Windows 10, after a feature update, an upgrade from Windows 10 to 11, a repair install or a reinstall that didn’t format the drive.

What the Windows.old folder is

When Windows installs a new version over an old one, it moves the previous system into C:\Windows.old. The folder holds the old Windows files, installed programs and, if the old system had them, the old user folders. It’s what lets you roll back from Settings > System > Recovery with Go back.

It’s usually 10 GB to 30 GB or more, and Windows normally removes it on its own after the rollback period, which is 10 days by default. If you need the space sooner, it’s safe to remove it with the methods below.

Before you delete it

• Check that the new version works well for you. Deleting Windows.old removes the Go back option for good.
• After a reinstall that kept the old system, look in C:\Windows.old\Users\YourName for documents, pictures or desktop files you still need, and copy them out first.
• You need an administrator account; standard users can’t remove it.

Method 1: Delete Windows.old in Settings

1. Open Settings > System > Storage.
2. Select Temporary files and wait while Windows scans the drive.
3. Tick Previous Windows installation(s). Untick anything else you want to keep, such as Downloads.
4. Select Remove files and confirm.

If you don’t see Temporary files on the first page, select Show more categories. On Windows 10, the same list is under Settings > System > Storage; on older Windows 10 builds, open Configure Storage Sense or run it now, tick Delete previous versions of Windows and select Clean now. The option only appears while a previous installation exists.

Method 2: Use Disk Cleanup

1. Press Win + R, type cleanmgr and press Enter. Choose drive C: if asked.
2. Select Clean up system files and choose C: again.
3. Tick Previous Windows installation(s). The size shown next to it is roughly how much you’ll get back.
4. Select OK, then Delete Files, and confirm the warning that you won’t be able to restore the previous version.

Disk Cleanup can take several minutes on this item. Leave it running until the window closes. If your drive is constantly busy while you clean up, our guide to 100% disk usage on Windows 11 explains why.

Method 3: Delete it from Command Prompt

Use this when the cleanup tools no longer list the folder, for example after Windows has already removed part of it. Open Command Prompt as administrator and run these three commands in order:

takeown /F C:\Windows.old /R /A /D Y
icacls C:\Windows.old /grant *S-1-5-32-544:F /T /C /Q
rd /S /Q C:\Windows.old

• takeown gives ownership to the Administrators group. The /D Y answer is for English Windows; on other languages, use that language’s word for “yes” (for example /D J in German) or leave out /D Y.
• icacls grants Administrators full control. *S-1-5-32-544 is the built-in Administrators group in every language.
• rd /S /Q removes the folder and everything in it without prompting.

Double-check the path before you press Enter: rd /S /Q deletes without using the Recycle Bin.

If Windows.old won’t delete

• Access denied: deleting it in File Explorer usually fails because the files belong to TrustedInstaller. Use Method 1 or 2, or Method 3 for ownership. Our guide to “You don’t currently have permission to access this folder” explains folder ownership in more detail.
• Some files are in use: restart the PC and run the cleanup again before opening other apps.
• A small Windows.old comes back: a later feature update or repair install creates a new one. That’s normal, and you can remove it the same way.
• Cleanup shows 0 bytes: the folder may only hold leftover empty folders. Method 3 removes them.

What about $Windows.~BT and $Windows.~WS?

These hidden folders hold setup files from a Windows upgrade or the Media Creation Tool. Once the upgrade is finished, you can remove them in Disk Cleanup by ticking Temporary Windows installation files after selecting Clean up system files. Don’t remove them while an upgrade is in progress.

An in-place repair install, like the one in our 0x800f081f guide, also leaves a Windows.old folder behind. For a full reset or clean install, see how to reinstall Windows 10.

Related guides

• 100% disk usage on Windows 11: how to find the cause and fix it
• How to reinstall Windows 10: reset, repair install or clean install
• “You don’t currently have permission to access this folder”: how to fix it
• Error 0x800f081f: how to fix it in Windows 11 and 10

Official sources: for more detail, see Microsoft’s own pages:

• Microsoft Support: Delete your previous version of Windows
• Microsoft Support: KB5012334, delete the Windows.old folder using Storage Sense

Frequently asked questions

Is it safe to delete Windows.old?

Yes, once you’re happy with the current version and have copied out any personal files. Your current Windows, apps and files don’t depend on it. The only thing you lose is the option to go back to the previous version.

Does Windows delete Windows.old automatically?

Yes. Windows normally removes it once the rollback period ends, which is 10 days by default, so you only need to delete it yourself if you want the space back sooner.

Can I move Windows.old to another drive instead?

It won’t help. Rollback only works from C:\Windows.old, so a moved copy is just a large folder you can’t use to go back. Copy out the personal files you need and delete the rest.

Why can’t I delete Windows.old in File Explorer?

The files belong to TrustedInstaller and the SYSTEM account, so even an administrator gets access denied. Windows’ own cleanup tools handle this for you.