It is not difficult to learn how to delete backup files in Windows 10. You can have different reasons for having backup files on your Windows 10 PC. The importance of PC backup cannot be overemphasized. It is easier for you to restore your files if you have them backed up should anything happen to your PC.
As good as backup is, its sole con is the space it consumes on your computer. If your computer’s hard disk space is limited, backup files will slow down your PC speed.
It is good to maintain an automatic system update to delete unnecessary backup files from time to time. Windows will pile up unnecessary files on your hard drive. That is why you should keep deleting unwanted files from your PC. Now that you are ready to learn how to delete backup files in Windows let us dive into it.
How to Delete Backup Files in Windows 10
To delete backup files in Windows 10, follow the instructions outlined below.
Delete Your Windows File History
Windows 10 has a built-in file backup feature that betters backup files than the previous Windows. When it comes to Windows with the far better regular backup system, Windows 10 takes the lead.
Do you know that some activating Windows File History saves files in critical folders regularly? These changes occur either once a day or every ten minutes. The Windows File History saves numerous copies in this way.
If this process should left unchecked, meaningful storage space is being used up on your hard disk. If you are concerned with deleting backup files in Windows 10, the first step is to delete Windows File History.
To delete Windows File History, follow the guidelines below:
- First, launch the Windows Settings by right-clicking the Windows Icon. Next, locate Update & Security.From there, locate backup. At this point, if the Windows File History is in use already, click on the More Options button.
- Again, you can change the frequency at which backup is made from the Backup options. Also, you can change how long the backup files stay before they are deleted. The setting just described can easily be done by clicking on the Keep my Backupsand Backup my Files from the drop-down menu.
You will discover that the Keep my Backups is set to “forever” by default. What you should do next is to select whether to delete backup files monthly or more space is needed on your hard drive. Doing so will make your PC work faster and with more space on the hard drive.
- Also, you can choose to disable the Windows File History on your PC completely. Although this is not advisable, to disable Windows File History completely, click on the menu option Stop using this drive. Doing this will disable the entire feature by completely removing the Windows file backup drive.
- You can as well remove immediately all saved backup files that are kept by File History. To do that, right-click on the “Windows Icon” and then select Windows Powershell.
If you do not see the Windows Powershell option, press the Windows Key on the keyboard and type “Windows Powershell.”
- Next, type fhmanagew. exe-cleanup 0in the “Windows Powershell” being displayed on the monitor and press enter so that the command will run. The “0” in the fhmanagew.exe-cleanup 0stands for the number of days to retain saved backups. You can change it to any other number you desire.
Update Windows 10 and Delete the Windows.old Folder
If your PC Windows is not up to date, you should ensure you update it. After the update, a folder will be automatically created on your PC, which is a backup of the previous Windows installation.
Although Windows will remove the Windows old Folder automatically in about one month after the update, you can delete it immediately after you update your Windows.
It is not difficult to delete Windows.old folder. Follow the guidelines below:
- You will first have to run a Disk Cleanup tool on your PC to delete the Windows.old folder. To do that, press the keysWindows + R on your keyboard. Next, enter cleanmgr,and hit the OK button.
- Upon hitting the OK button, the clean manager will be launched, and in the Disk Cleanup window, select the Clean up system files option, which will show alternatives to delete system files.
- Enable the Previous Windows installation checkbox in the Files to Delete list. If you want additional space, you can select several other options for which folders you want to be deleted.
Hit the OK button to execute the command so that the windows.old folder gets cleared with more space created on your hard drive.
Note: It is impossible to restore the files in the cleared Windows.old folder once you have deleted the folder. You should ensure your current Windows is working well before you commence the process.
Deleting Disk Space in Windows 10
If you want to delete backup files in Windows 10 to create space, you can also scan through your PC for larger files. You can delete some movies, uninstall some games or applications that are not being used, among other things to do.
Remove System Return Points of Windows
The System Restore stores a snapshot of your current Windows files and installation. The System Restore feature is present in Windows 10. On Windows 10, System Restore is engaged in restoring points for some major system updates.
System Restore can occupy much space on the hard drive if it is enabled such that numerous restore points are made. Removing the Windows System Restore Points is another factor to consider when looking for how to delete backup files in Windows 10.
- To remove System Restore Points, press the keys Windows + R on your keyboard. Upon pressing Windows + R, your PC opens the Run window. Next, type systempropertiesprotectionand then hit enter on your keyboard.
- Once the System Propertieswindow opens, select the Configure button from the System Protection tab.
- Next, click on the Delete button in the System Protection window.
- Finally, click on OK to end the process.
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