In addition to what natakuc4 stated, in the folder, Windows had all the programs that were installed on the old system. Some items don't get removed, when uninstalled and that could be some of the items. It would include the software installed, also. When you did your new installation, you didn't install all the bloatware that came with the computer, so that makes it smaller from the start. If your pictures, music, videos and documents are not on the new system, then that also is incleded.
Look in the device manager and see if you have any yellow exclaimination marks or red x's. As long as you installed the desktop/notebook system utility and the chipset drivers first, then install the rest of the drivers in order, then I would save Windows.old for a week or two, then delete. If you don't need the space, it's your option.
The Windows.old folder is the old operating system. If you need any files and folders from it and forgot to copy them, they files and folders are still in Windows.old. If you have all the files and folders you need, and everything is running correctly, then it is safe to delete this folder.
while comparing properties, between Windows (15.0GB - 72,935 files - 13,980 folders) and Windows.old (30.2GB - 179,511 files - 24,841 folders), I see a major difference, yet the reinstall onscreen prompts led me to believe these .old files were not being used to operate Windows any longer.
I surely don't want to copy any old files, which may have been corrupting the system, causing the problems I had in the first place.
Philip_Yip
9 Legend
•
16.1K Posts
1
July 17th, 2011 15:00
"Windows.old", contains the old Windows files, the old programs files and also your old documents and music etc. Not just the folder "Windows".
The only thing that is potential useful is any of your old files. Move them from the subfolder in windows.old to the new place if you don't have the.
If you have all this stuff then just delete the folder and recover your harddrive space.
PudgyOne
9 Legend
•
30.3K Posts
1
July 17th, 2011 16:00
Dennis,
In addition to what natakuc4 stated, in the folder, Windows had all the programs that were installed on the old system. Some items don't get removed, when uninstalled and that could be some of the items. It would include the software installed, also. When you did your new installation, you didn't install all the bloatware that came with the computer, so that makes it smaller from the start. If your pictures, music, videos and documents are not on the new system, then that also is incleded.
Look in the device manager and see if you have any yellow exclaimination marks or red x's. As long as you installed the desktop/notebook system utility and the chipset drivers first, then install the rest of the drivers in order, then I would save Windows.old for a week or two, then delete. If you don't need the space, it's your option.
Rick
PudgyOne
9 Legend
•
30.3K Posts
0
July 17th, 2011 12:00
dcegan7,
Is your operating system running correctly?
The Windows.old folder is the old operating system. If you need any files and folders from it and forgot to copy them, they files and folders are still in Windows.old. If you have all the files and folders you need, and everything is running correctly, then it is safe to delete this folder.
Rick
dcegan7
7 Posts
0
July 17th, 2011 13:00
Rick,
Yes, everything runs like new again.
My concern is,...
while comparing properties, between Windows (15.0GB - 72,935 files - 13,980 folders) and Windows.old (30.2GB - 179,511 files - 24,841 folders), I see a major difference, yet the reinstall onscreen prompts led me to believe these .old files were not being used to operate Windows any longer.
I surely don't want to copy any old files, which may have been corrupting the system, causing the problems I had in the first place.
Dennis
dcegan7
7 Posts
0
July 17th, 2011 19:00
natakuc4,
All personal files were saved to a flash drive prior to reinstall, and all programs have been reinstalled as well.
Thank you for your explanation as to the major size difference.
Dennis
dcegan7
7 Posts
0
July 17th, 2011 19:00
Rick,
As I have related to natakuc4, all the personal files are spoken for, along with any program files.
There was an issue with a "6TO4" adapter, which has been resolved with the help of "Fix it Solution Center".
Thank you for the information.
Dennis
PudgyOne
9 Legend
•
30.3K Posts
0
July 18th, 2011 14:00
Dennis,
Glad everything went smoothly for you. Thanks for posting back.
Take care,
Rick