How do I remove an older version of windows after installing Windows 7?
I had Vista installed when I first bought the computer, but when I installed my free upgrade copy of Windows 7 it did not migrate the user files to the new OS, and the old files are still there. How do I remove the older files without damaging the current
installed version? Is there a place I can have the entire system scanned to see what files should be removed and which ones should be kept?
The Windows.old folder has two purposes:
1) Can be used to un-install Windows 7 and return your PC to the previous version of Windows.
2) Contains in effect a backup of all your personal data files, documents, photos, Etc. from the previous version of Windows.
If you do not need either of these two options the Windows.old folder can be deleted.
Note: Change Windows Explorer option to see the Windows.old folder:
Click Start and in the 'Search' box enter: "hidden" (without the quotes)
Click the "Show hidden files and folders" option at the top of the list.
In the 'Folder Options' Window:
Click of the 'View' if it is not already selected.
In the 'Advanced settings' list locate 'Hidden files and folders'.
Now click on 'Show hidden files and folders'
Next uncheck the following:
'Hide empty drives in the Computer folder'
'Hide extentions for know file types'
'Hide protected operating system file'
