Windows 10 stores backup installation files of the previous version in the Windows.old folder, allowing users to revert to the previous version in case of issues with the new one. However, after installing the latest Windows 10 update, namely the April 2018 Update, if your system is stable, you can delete these files to free up space and make room for other applications and programs.
Backup installation files of the previous Windows version can occupy up to 10 - 20GB of disk space. In many cases, this results in insufficient disk space for installing programs, applications, or malfunctioning of existing programs.
Fortunately, Windows 10 offers users several utilities and tools to reclaim disk space, such as Storage Sense and the classic Disk Cleanup tool. Learn more about 3 methods to free up disk space after installing Windows 10 April 2018 Update in the article below by Mytour.
Reclaiming Disk Space After Installing Windows 10 April 2018 Update
Method 1: Cleaning up temporary files to reclaim disk space after installing Windows 10 April 2018 Update
Follow the steps below to delete temporary files and reclaim disk space after installing Windows 10 April 2018 Update:
Step 1: Firstly, press Windows + I to open the Settings app.
Step 2: Next, within the Settings window, locate and click on System.
Step 3: Then, on the left panel, find and select Storage.
Step 4: On the right panel, scroll down to find and click on Free up space now as shown in the image below.
Step 5: In the Free up space now window, locate the Remove temporary files section and check the box next to Previous Windows installation(s) from the list.
Finally, click on the Remove files button.
Windows will delete the Windows.old folders used to store backup files of the previous Windows installation and free up disk space.
Method 2: Use Storage Sense to free up disk space after installing Windows 10 April 2018 Update
To reclaim storage space after installing Windows 10 April 2018 Update using Storage Sense, follow the steps below:
Step 1: Open Settings by pressing Windows + I or clicking on the cogwheel icon on the Start Menu.
Step 2: In the Settings window, locate and click on System.
Step 3: In the next window, find and click on Storage on the left panel as shown below.
Step 4: Scroll down to find and click on the link Change how we free up space automatically.
Step 5: On the next window, locate the Free up space now section and check the box next to Delete previous version of Windows.
Step 6: Finally, click on the Clean now button to reclaim disk space after installing Windows 10 April 2018 Update.
Windows will delete backup files of the previous Windows version stored on the system to reclaim disk space after installing Windows 10 April 2018 Update.
Method 3: Use Disk Cleanup Tool to Free Up Disk Space
On Windows 10, the tech giant Microsoft has integrated a tool to free up disk space within the Settings app. Follow the steps below to open the Disk Cleanup Tool and reclaim disk space after installing Windows 10 April 2018 Update:
Step 1: First, hover over the Taskbar, then find and click on the File Explorer icon.
Step 2: In the File Explorer window, locate and click on This PC from the navigation pane on the left.
Step 3: Next, locate and right-click on Local Disk (C:) in the right pane, then select Properties from the menu.
Step 4: In the Properties window, switch to the General tab and click on the Disk Cleanup button.
Step 5: The system will take a moment to load, then the Disk Cleanup tool will appear on the screen for drive (C:). Click on the Clean up files button.
Step 6: A progress bar will be displayed on the screen, and once loaded, a new popup window will appear. Your task is to check the box next to Previous Windows installation(s) in the Files to delete section, then click OK to continue the process.
After successfully removing the files, you can utilize the freed up space to install other applications or programs.
Here, Mytour has just guided you through 3 methods to reclaim disk space after installing Windows 10 April 2018 Update. Additionally, readers can explore some ways to clean up their PCs or laptops, delete junk files to increase disk space. For any inquiries or questions, please leave them in the comment section below the article, and Mytour will respond to your queries as soon as possible.
