What is the $Windows.~BT Folder? Can It Be Safely Removed? [Updated for 2024]

What is the $Windows.~BT Folder?

The $Windows.~BT folder appears as a backup folder in Windows 10, which contains important system files and folders from a previous version of the operating system. Windows 10 is one of the most prominent versions of the Windows operating system, which includes the $Windows.~BT folder among its many features. This hidden folder shows up on your computer alongside the Windows.old and $Windows.~WS folders when you upgrade from Windows 7 or 8 to Windows 10.

If a user wishes to revert to a previous version of Windows, they can do so with the help of the relevant folder in question. The $Windows.~BT folder contains previous installation files and important log files that may come in handy if the upgrade to Windows 10 didn't fully cover its tracks. This folder can be very useful if you want to roll back to an earlier version or troubleshoot issues with the operating system.

Deleting this folder might have some implications since you won't be able to roll back to a previous version of Windows. If you don't think that's an issue, you might consider removing it from your computer as it does take up quite a bit of space.

Where is the $Windows.~BT folder located?

Wondering where the $Windows.~BT folder is on your computer? This particular recovery folder is usually located in the C:\ drive of your computer. However, you won't be able to access it like you would a regular folder on a drive. To do this, you'll need to enable a few options so that the folder will show up in your drive:

Step 1. To access the Windows folder, you need to open the File Explorer on your computer and navigate to the C:\ drive. You can do this by clicking the "View" tab at the top.

Step 2. Click the “Options” button at the top-right corner of the Taskbar, and then select “Change folder and search options” from the drop-down menu.

Select the Options option

Step 3. When the new window opens, look for the “View” tab at the top and check the box next to “Show hidden files, folders, and drives.” Make sure that the “Hide protected operating system files (Recommended)” option is unchecked. Click “Apply,” then search your drive for the Windows BT folder.

Can the $Windows.~BT$ folder be safely deleted?

Deleting this folder won't harm your computer or the operating system itself. This folder is only important if you need to revert to a previous version of Windows, or if a system file is missing after an upgrade. Otherwise, it's safe to delete it, as it's just taking up space on your computer. However, keep in mind that once you delete this folder, you won't be able to roll your PC back to a previous version of the Windows OS.

How do I delete the $Windows.~BT folder?

Those who wish to learn how to remove the $Windows.~BT folder from their Windows 10 computer can follow the steps outlined below for a better understanding of the process:

1. Click the “Search” box on the taskbar, type “Disk Cleanup”, and open the tool on your Windows computer.

Step 2. When it opens in a new window, select the drive that contains your Windows folder, which is usually the "C:" drive, and click "OK." A new window will open to proceed with the process, where you need to choose the "Clean up system files" option at the bottom.

Step 3: Select the disk again, and wait for a new window with a list of options to appear. Check the boxes next to "Windows Update Cleanup," "Windows Upgrade Log files," "Downloaded Program Files," and "Temporary Internet Files" to clear out the Windows BT folder on your computer.

Perform a disk cleanup process

Last Words

The $Windows.~BT folder is crucial for providing the option to roll back to a previous version of Windows in case the upgrade proves inefficient for users. While it serves its purpose in certain scenarios, it takes up space on your computer, which is less than ideal. To save space, you should remove this Windows folder from your computer. This article provides accurate guidance on how to locate and execute the process of deleting the folder.