Windows.old folder contains Windows old files which take up some hard disk space. The reason why the folder present is new Windows has been installed without proper formatting of the hard drive to remove every residing files. The good side to having it there is old important files can be retrieved. Another thing is that the files saved on the 'Desktop' before doing the new setup can not be rescued during this process. Only file in the Programs, Documents,and the Windows(the old Windows files) directories are redeemable.
Sometimes it is hard to delete every file in the directory or folder of this Windows.old. There is usually a warning dialogue that will come up when trying to do so. The warning can be in the form of 'some programs are making use of the file or it is opened in another window.Sometimes can simply be a message the file is too long for it to be deleted'. Which ever one the case may be, there is easy and proper way of removing this directory and its subsequent old files from the system.
Image of Keyboard displaying Windows and R key combination
Step 1: Press the Windows and R keys simultaneously for 'RUN' dialogue.
Image of Run in Windows 8
Step 2: Type cleanmgr into the dialogue space and click 'OK' tab.
Image of Disk Cleanup: Drive Selection in Windows 8
Step 3: In the ' Disk Cleanup: Drive Selection' select the '(C:)' drive and click 'OK' to continue.
Image of Disk Cleanup in Windows 8
Step 4: Wait for the system to carry out some search and calculate space you will be able to free during the process.
Image of the Cleanup dialogue in Windows 8
Step 5: Make sure you put a check on useful files which you don't need. Don't forget to check 'Windows.old' box(probably taking the largest space) and click 'OK'.