Windows.old

[Birdflu]

Hello, I recently re-installed windows over (with reformatting the HD)the
existing version of windows.

A folder was created labeled windows.old. Thankfully, since I missed
backing up a few files.

At any rate, how much of the new install is dependant on the files in
Windows.old?

Can I get rid of this folder and have the system and other programmes run
properly?

Many Thanks

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Hello, I recently re-installed windows over (with reformatting the HD)the

existing version of windows.

I don't think so.

 

[Ron Badour]

There should be no dependency on the old files. There may be some data
files from installed programs that might be valuable if you reinstall those
programs.

 

[JS]

Hello, I recently re-installed windows over (with reformatting the HD)the
existing version of windows.

A folder was created labeled windows.old. Thankfully, since I missed
backing up a few files.

At any rate, how much of the new install is dependant on the files in
Windows.old?

Can I get rid of this folder and have the system and other programmes run
properly?

Many Thanks

There should be no dependence however to be absolutely
certain rename Windows.old to XWindows.old, this should
surface any issues if there are any.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Hello, I recently re-installed windows over (with reformatting the HD)the
existing version of windows.

A folder was created labeled windows.old.

Then you did *not* reformat the drive.

Thankfully, since I missed
backing up a few files.

At any rate, how much of the new install is dependant on the files in
Windows.old?

Can I get rid of this folder and have the system and other programmes run
properly?

No. Please clarify exactly what you did.

 

[OKville]

How big is the windows.old folder? It may give some insight into how you
actually reinstalled.

 

[Ian D]

Hello, I recently re-installed windows over (with reformatting the HD)the
existing version of windows.

A folder was created labeled windows.old. Thankfully, since I missed
backing up a few files.

At any rate, how much of the new install is dependant on the files in
Windows.old?

Can I get rid of this folder and have the system and other programmes run
properly?

Many Thanks

If you reformatted the HD, there would be no windows.old, as
the drive would be empty. Windows.old is created if you do a
clean install over a previous Windows installation. It's purpose
is to allow you to revert to the previous Windows installation.

If you do a clean install over a previous installation without
reformatting, files and folders in the root directory and not installed
into the previous OS will remain untouched on the drive. For
example, if you had a folder named Utilities, in the root directory,
it and all its files would remain intact.

 

[Birdflu]

Ian, you are absolutely correct. I mistyped the first line in my quiry: It
should read "I did NOT format the hard drive. Therefore, the Windows.old
folder.
Many Thanks

 

[Birdflu]

My Error.

The first line should read :

-(

I don't think so.

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

OK, now tell us why you reinstalled Windows this way? What problems were
you having that you hoped to fix?

 

[db]

I think you meant "without" reformatting
the disk.

however, you probably meant that you
reinstalled windows and the windows.old
folder was created.

it is highly unlikely that you can have two
winxp installation in the same partition.

-----------------------------

in any case, the new installation is not
dependent on the windows.old

you should be able to browse through it
and ensure that there are not personal
files in it.

afterward delete away because it is
simply a folder with old system files.


--
db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>
DatabaseBen, Retired Professional
- Systems Analyst
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- @Hotmail.com
- nntp Postologist
~ "share the nirvana" - dbZen

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[Kevin]

OK, now tell us why you reinstalled Windows this way? What problems were
you having that you hoped to fix?

It is none of your business why the OP reinstalled Windows. He might have
done it for for pleasure. Does it matter?

 

[Kevin]

Yes the folder Windows.old can be deleted without any side effect to the
entire system. You have to look at it this way. If you formatted your HD,
your entire HD would be wiped clean and so you wouldn't have Wndows.old. So
why should it affect now just because you didn't want to waste time
formatting the HD.

Generally it is a good idea to do a Quick Format before re-install but it
doesn't matter because you have protected all your personal documents.

hth

 

[Birdflu]

Correct you are re:without.

Thanks for the information (and reassurance).
An earlier suggestion to rename the folder and see if something breaks.
So far all the lights are on and no cracked eggs in the fridge. -).

DB eh? Ah yes, fun and games with DB2 a 'few' years ago......
Many thanks.

 

[JS]

Correct you are re:without.

Thanks for the information (and reassurance).
An earlier suggestion to rename the folder and see if something breaks.
So far all the lights are on and no cracked eggs in the fridge. -).

DB eh? Ah yes, fun and games with DB2 a 'few' years ago......
Many thanks.

Just for curiosity, if you have the time try
searching the registry for: Windows.old

 

[Birdflu]

Nothing meaningful in the registry - just a tag for recently used etc.

 

[JS]

That's good

--
JS
http://www.pagestart.com

Nothing meaningful in the registry - just a tag for recently used etc.