is windows.old?!

I noticed i have a ton less space on my HDD, and apparently all my files copied over despite the fact I did a clean install. I'm really confused--what did i just waste an hour backing up and restoring files for? Should I just delete it? I definitely selected custom install from the options--NOT upgrade.

thanks!

 

While you selected custom upgrade, you probably didn't tell setup to format the partition, thus it just renamed the old windows files and did a clean install.

It was a clean install. If it was an upgrade, it wouldn't have kept any old files.

It is safe to delete.

 

If you clean install without formatting first, Windows copies your old installation to a directory called "Windows.OLD". (I consider this a nice feature, personally.) Just make sure you don't need any of your files in there and then delete it.

 

I did the same thing, and then it wouldn't let me delete some of the .old files. I knew it was eventually going to start bothering me lol so I formatted the hard drive and installed 7 again, this time completely clean.

 

simply boot to safe mode then you can delete the .old folder if you can not while windows is running. easy.

 

I think the reason why there are some files you can't delete, it is because you need to seize ownership of them, not because they are in use.

 

not sure there but i know ive done this many times and in safe mode they can simply be deleted for me anyway.

 

I've never done the windows.old route, you got that experience on me.

 

lol remember i work on prob 30-50 machines or more each week (i own a business)

 

It happens me too this windows.old and i believe that was a clean installation.

Which is better do i have to stay with this folder and delete it and i have my clean installation or should i format the drive again? I wanted to start fresh with my os but didn't note this option very well.

If i want to reinstall win7 with the upgrade disk formating the drive, do in need to restore the vista?

Thanks,

 

Windows just creates a backup just incase we forgot to backup our files. So, if you dont need any documents,pictures or any game saves then it can be deleted from anywhere. I neved had to goto safe mode to do that.

 

Hey guys. I just installed windows 7 home prem on a couple of notebooks, through the "custom" option. Once you have Win 7 installed you can simply go to "disc cleanup". After it calculates, clicl on the tab "Clean up system files" (lower left hand side). You can then add your old windows files to the cleanup, mine were +40GB.
As well, I went from Vista 64 to Win7 32bit, without any issues using the upgrade disc and selecting "custom" install option. You will however have an extra file, "Program Files (X86)" which is not needed now.

 

Program Files (x86) is definitely needed on a 64bit system. You could still install 32bit applications on the 64bit OS, but that folder is the default install folder for any 32bit application.

 

Thanks Greg. I realize (X86) is needed on a 64bit system. What I stated is that I went from 64bit Vista to 32bit Win7, and yet it kept a (x86) program file, as well as a regular program file.
You can delete this file, however not without a work around.

 

Just to add another positive experience in using the custom installation option without formatting, it worked like a charm for me. After Windows 7 installed, I simply deleted the Windows.old folder and reclaimed the space. No formatting needed.

 

You're one of the guys who screwed up the Sidekick/Danger disk upgrades last week, aren't you.......

 

LOL ...