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How to recover deleted Windows. old folder in Windows 11/10/8/7? Quick steps ahead.
- 1. Install and run the Data Recovery Wizard. Scan for the deleted "Windows. old folderrecover the deleted Windows. old folder along with its contents.
What is the "Windows.old" folder? Can I delete it without any problems?
"Sorry, you can't go back" is probably what you're encountering when trying to downgrade from Windows 10 after several failed attempts. I sought answers on forums and was told that it could be due to lost or deleted data and files in the Windows. old folder. What is this? Can the Windows.old file be recovered? Since I didn't create a system backup before the upgrade, it seems impossible to roll back from Windows 10 to Windows 8.1 now.
The Windows.old folder is a storage space for your previous Windows system data and files. If you made a system backup or don't plan on rolling back, you can delete it after successfully upgrading to Windows 10 to free up disk space. Also, the Windows.old folder will automatically delete itself 10 days after you upgrade.
However, usually, a restore of the old system requires the Windows.old folder to be intact. So, if you don't have a backup and the Windows.old folder has been deleted, rolling back to the previous version of Windows might be troublesome.
How to Recover the Deleted Windows.Old Folder in Windows 11/10/8/7
In this article, we will show you how to recover the deleted or missing Windows.Old folder in Windows 11/10/8/7.
Method 1: Recover Deleted Windows.old Folder in Windows 11/10 Using a Software
To restore the deleted Windows.old folder and roll back to a previous version, you just need to use the Data Recovery Wizard tool, which allows you to recover your Windows.old folder after deletion, formatting, virus attacks, or OS crashes. Additionally, the program offers full recovery of file and folder structure. Follow this detailed guide for assistance.
Step 1: Select a folder to scan for lost files
Launch the Data Recovery Wizard. Under “Select Location,” choose “Select Folder.” Click “Browse,” choose the location of the missing folder, and click “OK” to scan for lost folders.
Step 2: Look for the missing folder and preview the found files
If you remember the folder name, type it in the search box to quickly locate the missing file. Then, open the found folder and double-click to preview the scanned files. Alternatively, you can use the filter feature to look for a specific file type.
Step 3: Recover and save the lost folder
Finally, select the folders and files you need and click “Recover” to choose a new secure location on your computer to save the recovered data.
- Important Notice
- You have now restored the Windows.old folder with a professional data recovery tool. To keep your operating system and files safe, you should get into the habit of backing up regularly. If you don't want to do it manually, you can use Windows Scheduled Backup software for automatic backups.
Method 2: Run a System Restore or Backup
If System Restore was enabled on your computer, then you have a backup image of your Windows OS, configuration, and settings. This will revert Windows to an earlier date when the restore point was created. To restore Windows using System Restore, do the following:
Step 1: Open the Start menu.
Step 2. Type in Recover and tap on the top result.
Step 3: Select System Restore.
Step 4: Select the restore point you want to recover from.
Click "Next" and "Finish" to restore your computer to the selected restore point.
Method 3: Recover files from the Windows.Old folder
This is the easiest way to restore all your files manually, provided that you deleted the Windows.Old folder within the last 28 days. Your personal files are stored temporarily in the Windows.Old folder for up to 28 days. Here's how to retrieve them:
Step 1. Double-click on "This PC" or "My Computer".
Step 2. Go to the C: drive and open the Windows.old folder.
Step 3. Double-click on the Users folder.
Step 4. Double-click on your user name.
Step 5. Open the folder that contains the files you want to restore.
Step 6. Copy and paste the desired files from each folder to another location.
Conclusions
Even if you can't find the Windows.old folder, there are still ways to recover files from within it. If you've read this far, it should be easy for you to move files out of the Windows.old folder to a permanent home.
Frequently Asked Questions about Restoring the Deleted Windows.Old Folder
1. How to restore old folders in Windows?
Aside from using the Data Recovery Wizard tool to restore the deleted Windows.old folder, you can also manually perform a Windows.old restoration (with simple steps).
Step 1: Open the “Computer” window and navigate to the system partition.
2. Double-click or double-click the Windows.old folder > Users folder > User name.
Step 3: Copy and paste the files you want from each of these folders into a folder on your Windows 10 computer.
What happens if I delete the Windows.old folder?
The "Windows.old" folder contains all the files and data from your previous installation of Windows. You can use it to revert your system back to the older version of Windows. However, if you don't need it, Windows will automatically delete the "Windows.old" folder after one month to free up space. Don't worry, though; even if you lose the "Windows.old" folder, you can still recover it using a tool like the Data Recovery Wizard.
3. Where can I find old Windows files?
Here, you should be able to simply open File Explorer, navigate to the C:\Windows.old folder, and browse your file system. Your personal files will be located in C:\Windows.old\Users\Your Username.
4. How can I recover deleted files in Windows? To recover deleted files in Windows, follow these steps: 1. **Check the Recycle Bin**: First, open the "Recycle Bin," where deleted files are moved. Locate the file you want to restore, right-click it, and select "Restore." 2. **Use File History**: If you had File History enabled previously, you can access it from the Control Panel or Settings. Choose the file and the point in time you want to restore, then click "Restore." 3. **Data Recovery Software**: If the above methods don't work, try using data recovery software like Recuva or tools Data Recovery Wizard. These tools scan your hard drive for deleted files. Download and install the software, then follow its on-screen instructions. 4. **System Restore Point**: If the file was lost after a system update or settings change, you can attempt to use a System Restore Point. However, be aware that this may affect other settings and installed programs. 5. **Professional Services**: If the file is extremely important and all previous methods fail, consider seeking professional data recovery services. They have specialized tools and techniques to retrieve inaccessible data. Remember to act promptly, as deleted files can be overwritten by new data, reducing the chances of successful recovery.
There are three ways to recover deleted files in Windows:
Method 1: Recover Deleted Files from Recycling Bin
Method 2: Restore Deleted Files from a Previous Version
Method 3: Recover deleted files using a file recovery software
5. How can I recover a folder that I permanently deleted from my computer?
To recover a permanently deleted folder on your computer, you can restore from a previous version, use Windows Backup, or employ professional file recovery software. The first two methods require that you have created a backup beforehand, or they won't work. Therefore, the most effective way to recover a permanently deleted folder on Windows 10/8/7 is by using a file/folder recovery utility.
6. How can I recover a file I deleted years ago?
No matter how long the files have been deleted - a month, a year, or even longer - as long as the files have not been overwritten by new data, there is a chance to recover deleted files with Data Recovery Wizard.