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Thread ID: 104423 2009-10-27 04:47:00 Windows 7 upgrade. JOYBEBA6679 (10686) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
824544 2009-10-27 04:47:00 Hi to all, I just updated my laptop from Windows Xp to Windows 7, which Im loving right now. But I noticed inside C: that there is a folder named "Windows.old", That is really big in size. I know that has to do with my old Xp, maybe a back up.

Question is, Is it safe to delete this folder? Not that I need the space right now but maybe later I Will. Thanks in advance!!
JOYBEBA6679 (10686)
824545 2009-10-27 04:51:00 It's a copy of all your old data etc. Anything you want out of it, copy it to where you want it (docs, pics, music, email, whatever) and then you can delete it. Deleting it won't affect win7, but it will wipe everything in that folder. if you already made backups of your important stuff it won't matter if it's gone. wratterus (105)
824546 2009-10-27 04:56:00 The windows.old is basically a copy of the old OS, it will have all your previous data.

Whats "meant" to happen is when upgrading all your data/programs are transferred across, the .old folder is there 'just in case" something doesn't go quite right. (backup)

Once you are positive all your programs, data etc have transferred and working correctly you can dump that folder, if not there, then copy data across first.

Vista and Windows 7 have a removal app included in cleanup. As described here (www.kodyaz.com). OR Slightly better instructions (www.sevenforums.com)

Edited: if you simply try to delete it, it will more than likely not allow you.
wainuitech (129)
824547 2009-10-27 05:02:00 Well I just deleted it and its gone thanks guys! JOYBEBA6679 (10686)
824548 2009-10-27 05:04:00 Speaking of upgrading (www.pcworld.com ss_reboots.html). Some upgrades arent that easy as you'll see. Your system CAN go round in circles Speedy Gonzales (78)
824549 2009-10-27 07:25:00 Well I just deleted it and its gone thanks guys!

You really should have using Disk Cleanup. Run disk cleanup now. There are probably leftovers..
Blam (54)
824550 2009-10-27 09:07:00 Speaking of upgrading (www.pcworld.com ss_reboots.html). Some upgrades arent that easy as you'll see. Your system CAN go round in circles

Thats why clean installs are always recommended ;)
Chilling_Silence (9)
824551 2009-10-27 09:09:00 Correct. But then whats the point in having upgrade cd's/dvd's. If they screw your system up? Speedy Gonzales (78)
824552 2009-10-27 17:40:00 Because some people will always be too lazy, which is kind of silly considering you no longer have to backup your data to an external drive etc.
Keeping the files in windows.old is a great idea by MS, so now everybody *should* do clean installs :p

However, in reality, there's always going to be *some* who don't :(
Chilling_Silence (9)
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