Safe to remove "Windows.old"?

After reading all of the similar queries about 'Safe to delete Windows.old', I'm still not sure and would appreciate any constructive help.

Before you reinstall Windows 7, I copied all my files, data, etc. on an external hard drive. After re-installation of Windows 7 and recovering an external hard drive, my drive "c" shows, among many other issues, ' Windows (19.5 GB - 87 900 files & 17 512 records) and "Windows.old" (100 GB-182 630 files & records 28 412). I understand that it is necessary, before deleting "Windows.old", to ensure that all records etc. inside are included in the new (?) "Windows", but it seems a very important task. Some of the folders etc. in "Windows.old" I recognize as obsolete or unnecessary and would be deleted manually, but these are relatively numerous.

AM I correct in this assumption, or is there, I hope, a shortcut?

No no no.... you do not have need of the old folder at all.  Your system doesn't have it.  It is there only as a convenience to you, the user.  Just in case where you might have had some of your personal files or anything else you want to get to it (for example the emails that have been stored in your Inbox before you reinstalled).

If you do not need anything, whether it is safe to delete.

If you are still not sure: you can always just move it to the Recycle Bin for a few weeks. If nothing comes that you discovered that you need, you can simply empty the trash.

Tags: Windows

Similar Questions

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    http://Windows.Microsoft.com/en-us/Windows-8/how-remove-Windows-old-folder

    How to remove the "Windows.old" folder in Windows 8 (several methods)
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    ================================

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    Rob Brown - Microsoft MVP<- profile="" -="" windows="" expert="" -="" consumer="" :="" bicycle=""><- mark="" twain="" said="" it="">

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    http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2527-Windows-old-folder-delete-Windows-8-a.html

    How to recover files from the Windows.old folder
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    ================================

    If necessary:

    1. open a command prompt (Admin)

    Since the office - key Windows + X, or right-click in the lower left-
    Command prompt (Admin); OR in the screen start just start typing CMD
    or in the Menu of charms - research - Apps - CMD-> and right-click on it.
    then on low screen "Run as Administrator".

    2 prompt probably like C:\Windows\System32 >

    This type at the prompt, and then press ENTER.

    CD\

    Now, the line should look like C:\ >

    3: This type at the prompt, and then press ENTER.

    Windows.old DIR

    Should resemble C:\>DIR Windows.old

    It should return

    C:\Windows.old directory

    and view the contents of Windows.old

    It's just to make sure that the Windows.old folder is under C: (drive C) - if she does not STOP

    4 this type at the prompt, and then press ENTER.

    Attrib - r - / s has s h Windows.old

    Should look like C:\>Attrib/s - r - a s h Windows.old
    (there are SPACES between Attrib and / s and r - and - a and -s-h and Windows.old)

    He should return to the prompt C:\ if it shows and ERROR and STOP - then check the command
    and if it has been entered correctly you are not in the right place.

    5 this type at the prompt, and then press ENTER.

    RD/s Windows.old

    Should resemble C:\>RD/s Windows.old
    (there are SPACES between the RD /s and Windows.old)

    Return Windows.old, are your sure Y/N Y type

    (If you get a message that you have no property rights then type this command
    "and press ENTER.)

    TAKEOWN /f Windows.old/a/r

    and repeat step 5 - were you using an elevated command prompt?

    6: This type at the prompt, and then press ENTER.

    Windows.old DIR

    Should look like C:\>DIR Windows.old - and press ENTER.

    It should return

    Directory of C:\

    File not found

    Which confirms that it is gone.

    7 close the COMMAND window

    I hope this helps.

    Rob Brown - Microsoft MVP<- profile="" -="" windows="" expert="" -="" consumer="" :="" bicycle=""><- mark="" twain="" said="" it="">

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    http://Windows.Microsoft.com/en-GB/Windows-8/restore-files-upgrade-Windows-old

    To remove the Windows.old folder after you have copied your files, see the followingdocument.

    http://Windows.Microsoft.com/en-GB/Windows-8/how-remove-Windows-old-folder

    Best regards

    DP - K

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