Forum Discussion
Why doesn't Disk Cleanup show "Previous Windows installation(s)" on Windows 10?
Why does Disk Cleanup on my Windows 10 PC never show the “Previous Windows installation(s)” option, even though I recently upgraded or installed a major update and I know that folder is taking up spa...
Hi BrantZhao ,
The most likely reason is that the folder is already gone, or never existed. Disk Cleanup only lists previous Windows installation when a Windows.old folder is actually there. Windows 10 deletes it automatically about 10 days after a feature update. Regular monthly updates never create it, only major upgrades do.
Here’s how to check:
- Look for C:\Windows.old in File Explorer. If it isn’t there, there’s nothing to clean, and the space is being used by something else.
- Go to Settings > System > Storage > Temporary files. Windows 10 lists “Previous version of Windows” there too, and it also shows other cleanup items.
- Folders like $WINDOWS.~BT can remain after an upgrade. Disk Cleanup may list them as “Windows upgrade log files” or “Temporary Windows installation files.”
- Find what’s really using the space. Settings > System > Storage shows a breakdown by category, which usually explains it faster than guessing.
For a safe cleanup, tick “Windows Update Cleanup” in Disk Cleanup (Clean up system files) and also run DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /StartComponentCleanup from an admin prompt. Don’t delete anything from WinSxS by hand, as that can break updates.