When you upgrade Windows to a new version and choose to keep your files, the Windows.old folder automatically saves personal files from the previous version. This guide will provide a comprehensive knowledge of Windows old folder and offer several solutions to recover files from Windows.old in Windows 10/11.
The Windows.old folder (typically located at C:\Windows.old) is created by the operating system during major updates, such as when you upgrade from one version of Windows to another (e.g., from Windows 7 to Windows 10). This folder contains a backup of the previous version of Windows, along with its files, system settings, and programs. The purpose of this folder is to allow users to revert to their previous version of Windows if the upgrade encounters issues or if they decide they no longer want the new version.
The Windows.old folder can be useful for recovering files after reinstalling Windows or that might not have transferred correctly during the upgrade. It's a safeguard to ensure users don’t lose data during a system upgrade.
However, usually after around 10 days, the operating system automatically deletes this folder to free up space on the disk. If you want to recover files from Windows.old folder, it is best to act quickly.
You may find that users generally care more about how to recover data from Windows.old rather than why. Once you have understood how Windows.old is generated and what it contains, you will usually use Windows.old to recover data in these scenarios.
⭐Missing Files Post-Upgrade
Sometimes, not all files get transferred correctly when upgrading to a new version of Windows. Files stored in user directories (like Documents, Pictures, Music, etc.) can sometimes go missing, and the Windows.old folder may hold the missing data.
⭐Recovering Program Files
You may want to recover specific programs or app data that you used before upgrading. Some applications might leave behind their data in the previous Windows installation.
⭐Accidental Data Deletion
If you forgot to back up important files before the upgrade, the Windows.old folder may still have them.
⭐System Restoration
If you need to roll back to the previous version of Windows, this folder can make the process smoother by offering a complete snapshot of your previous operating system.
When you choose the "Keep my files" option during system reinstallation, your personal files will be retained in Windows.old folder. Recovering files from the folder is also a straightforward process.
Step 1. Open File Explorer by pressing "Win + E", and Navigate to your C: drive. Look for the Windows.old folder. It should be located at the root of the drive.
Step 2. In the Windows.old folder, go to "\Windows.old\Users". You will see folders named after your user accounts from the previous Windows version.
Step 3. Open the user folder containing the files you wish to recover, then browse and select the files and right click to copy them (you can also press "Contrl + C" to copy them).
Step 4. Press "Contrl + V" to paste the files into a new location on your current system. Then you can organize the recovered files in the destination folder.
If the 10-day retention period is exceeded, the system will delete the Windows.old folder. Alternatively, if you choose to "Remove everything" during system reinstallation, the folder will not be generated. In such cases, recovering deleted files becomes more difficult—but not impossible. For these scenarios, MyRecover is highly recommended.
Here are the remarkable features of MyRecover:
✅Supports Over 1000 File Types: Recover photos, videos, documents, emails, ZIP files, and more.
✅Supports Multiple Storage Devices: support data recovery from external HDD, SSD drives, USB flash drives, SD/memory cards, digital cameras, and more.
✅Safe & Read-Only Process: Your original data remains untouched during the scan and recovery process.
✅Comprehensive Scan: You can run quick scan to recover data quickly, or choose Deep Scan to retrieve more data from fragmented clues.
✅Covers various complex scenarios: support file recovery from formatted hard drive, inaccessible USB drive, lost partition, crashed system (only available for paid versions).
Step 1. Download and install MyRecover on your computer, avoid installing it on the drive with lost files.
Step 2. Select the drive where deleted files were stored to scan and click "Scan".
Step 3. Choose the files you wish to recover from the recoverable lists and click "Recover".
Step 4. Select a safe location to save the recovered files.
Upon the completion of recovery process, you can click the destination folder to check the recovered files.
1. Does Windows.old get deleted automatically?
Yes, Windows automatically deletes the Windows.old folder after 10 days, though this period can vary depending on system settings. Once deleted, it is not recoverable through normal methods.
2. How to restore Windows 10 without losing data?
To restore Windows 10 without losing data, you can use the "Reset this PC" feature, which offers options to keep personal files while reinstalling the operating system. This can be done through "Settings > Update & Security > Recovery".
3. How do I get my files back after upgrading to Windows 10?
If your files weren’t transferred during the upgrade, you may be able to recover them from the Windows.old folder. If the folder is no longer available, try using File History or a data recovery tool like MyRecover to retrieve lost data.
4. Can you recover the deleted Windows.old folder?
Once the Windows.old folder is deleted by the system, it is typically not recoverable unless it was backed up or moved to a different location. Data recovery tools may be able to recover files that were inside the folder, but the folder itself is not retrievable.
By now, you should have a solid understanding of the Windows.old folder. To recover deleted files from the Windows.old folder, you can try both methods outlined above. Even if you accidentally lose files in this folder or delete the entire folder, MyRecover can still help you retrieve them.
To meet the advanced needs of professionals, MyRecover offers the Professional and Technician Editions. These editions support unlimited data recovery quota and include a file preview function before restoration.
