How to reclaim space after upgrading to Windows 10 2022 Update
If your PC is running low in space after upgrading to Windows 10 version 22H2, use these steps to reclaim some of that space.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
When you upgrade to a new version ofWindows 10 (such as version 22H2)using an in-place upgrade, the setup creates a copy of the previous installation to roll back in case of a critical problem that may prevent the new version from applying to your computer.
However, even after the upgrade completes without issues, the files will be stored in the “Windows.old” folder, taking up valuable space (around 20GB or more) that could be significant for devices with limited capacity.
If your computer is running low on storage after installing the 2022 Update,Windows 10offers multiple ways to reclaim most of the lost storage using the Settings app and Disk Cleanup.
Thisguidewill walk you through the steps to delete the previous installation files to free up space after installing Windows 10 version 22H2 using an in-place upgrade.
How to free up space after the Windows 10 2022 Update using Storage Sense
To reclaim storage space after upgrading to the Windows 10 2022 Update from an older release or in-place upgrade, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, the system will delete the copy of the previous installation, reclaiming many gigabytes of space.
How to free up space after the Windows 10 2022 Update using Temporary files
To free up space from the Temporary files settings page, use these steps:
Get the Windows Central Newsletter
All the latest news, reviews, and guides for Windows and Xbox diehards.
After you complete the steps, the files from the previous setup will be deleted from the device.
How to free up space after the Windows 10 2022 Update using Disk Cleanup
Once you complete the steps, the “Windows.old” folder with a copy of the old setup will be removed, freeing up space after upgrading to version 22H2.
If you have a device with one of the most recent versions of Windows 10 and download the new update through Windows Update, the computer is unlikely to run out of space because the update only takes a tiny portion of the hard drive available space. This only applies to devices coming from a reinstallation, such as when using the Media Creation Tool, Update Assistant, or upgrading through Windows Update, but from a very old version.
More resources
For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10 and Windows 11, visit the following resources:
Mauro Huculak has been a Windows How-To Expert contributor for WindowsCentral.com for nearly a decade and has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides. He also has an IT background and has achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft, Cisco, VMware, and CompTIA. He has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years.
