📎 AI Summary:
The forum thread discusses the presence of a 20GB "backup" folder that appeared after upgrading from Windows 8.1 to Windows 10, which is a temporary recovery file allowing users to revert to the previous OS. Contributors confirm that this is normal and explain it can be safely deleted to free space, though a manual backup image is recommended for more reliable, long-term backup safety. The overall sentiment suggests that while the backup folder is standard after an upgrade, users should consider creating a separate image backup for better security.
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eddard

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Thread Author #1
Hi all. I have installed Windows 10 with very few problems (other than the learning curve), however, the free space on the hard drive is now 20GB smaller than before the upgrade from Windows 8.1.

Poking around, I discovered that there is what appears to be a "backup" folder of 20GB within the windows folder. Is this normal, and what happens if I remove that folder?
 

S

Snowflake24694

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Aug 7, 2015
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#2
Yes, it's normal. If you type 'storage' into your Search you will find exactly how much space on the disk each program hold. At the end of the list you will see 'Temporary files'. When you click on it you will see that 20GB is a backup of the previous version of your Windows OS (Windows 8.1) and it says you can delete it right away or it will be deleted in a month. It's there just in case if you change your mind and want to go back to your previous OS.
 

M

maybe

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#3
Does this have any advantage/disadvantage over an image backup you make yourself to an external hdd before the upgrade?
 

ussnorway

ussnorway

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#4
No... a backup image is better in every case.
 

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eddard

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Thread Author #5
That is what I thought, and thanks for the response. I think I may do a backup image "just in case".
 

M

maybe

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#6
eddard said:
That is what I thought, and thanks for the response. I think I may do a backup image "just in case".
Click to expand...
Besides your image backup stays available for much longer (until you delete it) than the 30 day restore option the W10 update provides.
 

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