Should I Delete Windows Setup Files? (10 Step Guide)  

By
Garvit Sinha
-
1021

Windows has become the most significant operating system market, with the latest running Windows 10. It’s set up on a computer/laptop has also changed, starting with the time-consuming process of installing the upgraded version of Windows using CDs to the current scenario of using a USB drive to update Windows in a less time-consuming way. With this update comes many unnecessary files that remain stored for a long time unless we realize it, and the question pops up in our mind “Should I delete Windows setup files?” or “Do I need Windows setup files?”

After all, the system files are crucial to your computer and are concealed for a reason: Removing them might cause a crash. Yet, it’s entirely fine to remove outdated data from a Windows update and the Windows setup. If you no longer require any of the following, you may safely remove them:

  • Windows setup documents
  • $Windows.~BT
  • Windows. old

Clearing win setup files can be done by opening Local storage> This PC(C:)>Storage usage>Temporary files>Remove.

This article right here might be an answer to all your question. Here we provide an excellent 10-step guide to remove your setup files and details about the Windows setup files.

What Are Setup Files?

Almost every year, there is a chance to update your Windows operating system. Even if you don’t upgrade it initially, after a certain point when Microsoft drops support from the older versions, you are bound to install the new arrangements in this process of updating; a lot of backup files are from the directories of the previous versions. These files are stored in two different kinds: various other folders like the Windows folder, which remains hidden, documents, program files, and other documents are backed up.

  • Windows. old
  • $Windows.~BT

The work of these folders is to help replace the missing files after the installation of a newer version of Windows is successful. Like everything, it also has a con. Although it is helpful in a way, as mentioned above, on the other hand, it takes up a lot of processing power. In this case, deleting Windows setup files is helpful.

Can You Delete Windows Setup Files?

We know system files are vital to the computer/laptop, so they remain hidden. Should I delete Windows setup files? If you feel you must, as it improves performance, you should.

Deleting these files can be scary as they may result in your computer/laptop is crashed. To make it easier to understand, let’s take a look at the files/folders which you should not delete:

  •  AppData, Program Files, or ProgramData situated in the Windows system
  • C:\Windows

It is entirely safe to delete the following files/folders as, without them, your computer/laptop will work fine:

  • Windows setup files
  • Windows. old
  • $Windows.~ BT

So, Do you need Windows set-up files? No, not really.

How Do I Delete Windows Setup Files?

As mentioned above that, it is entirely safe to remove/delete the Windows setup files. Disk cleanup is the process of deleting unwanted files. It mainly removes the unwanted markers or pointers that s used to detect the setup files. All the other information, like pictures or any other personal data, is kept safe and accessible anytime. 

Take a look at these steps and follow along.

  1. In the search bar of the home screen. Type disk cleanup and press enterdisk cleanup
  2. After the dish cleanup app opens, click on Run as administrator.run-disk-cleanup-as-administrator
  3. Next, a pop-up window will appear named disk cleanup: Drive Selection. Here, select the file drive in which the Windows operating system files are located. Click on the boxes containing “previous Windows installations” and “temporary Windows installation files.” After selecting the files, the window will show all the unwanted files on your PC.temporary windows installation files
  4. In the next step, make sure to uncheck all the other boxes except the two mentioned above. Next, select “ok.” In this step, a window asks the user to delete the particular files permanently. Here, click on the delete files option. This step will take some time.
    delete files
    delete files
  5.  After the above step, you should restart your computer/laptop to complete the whole process of cleanup. This step is optional; you may or may not need this. Do a rough check through some of the temp files/folders and end the drive to see if you can remove any old setup files.restart

FAQs

Should I delete Windows setup files? Is it ok?

You can safely delete setup files after you have set up the corresponding software. It causes no harm. The programs will continue to work even without them.

What are the unnecessary files in Windows 10?

Some unnecessary files include downloads, windows update cleanup, recycle bin, delivery optimization files, thumbnails, Microsoft Defender antivirus, and temporary internet files.

What is taking up so much space on my PC?

Applications and games use up most of the disk space. Uninstalling the unwanted programs and removing them from your hard drive might be a good option.

Should I delete previous Windows installations?

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Conclusion

We hope that now if the question “Should I delete Windows setup files?” pops up, you know the answer and precisely the steps you need to follow. This 10-step guide is to the point and gives you the necessary details about the Windows setup files. As mentioned, this process will not permanently delete the old files; your data is in storage and accessible.

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