Deleting backup files in Windows 10 sounds simple enough, but honestly, it can get a little confusing if you’re not sure where to look or if the options are buried. Sometimes, you think you have a clean system, only to realize a bunch of old backups are eating up storage. The good news is, it’s pretty straightforward once you know where to go. This guide aims to walk through the process—sometimes Windows makes it more complicated than it should be, especially with that “Backup and Restore (Windows 7)” label sticking around. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll be able to free up some serious space and keep your machine happier.
How to Delete Backup Files in Windows 10
Method 1: Using the Backup Settings in Control Panel
This is probably the most common route, especially if you’re used to older Windows versions. The reason it helps is because the backup files can add up without notice, impacting storage and performance. When the backup files are sitting there, they can actually slow things down or cause storage errors. So, deleting old backups here means freeing up space and potentially speeding up your PC. On some setups, it’s kind of weird — you might find the options are kind of hidden or not super obvious. But that “Manage space” button is your friend.
Expect a quick overview of your backup sizes and the chance to choose which ones to delete, making your storage leaner and meaner.
Open the Control Panel and go to backup settings
- Type Control Panel in the search bar next to Start, then click on it.
- Navigate to System and Security.
- Click on Backup and Restore (Windows 7).
Yeah, it still says “Windows 7, ” but don’t let that confuse you. It’s the same spot for managing backups in Windows 10.
Find and manage your backup files
- Hit on Manage space—it’s a button usually towards the bottom of that window.
- This opens a new window showing you how much space your backups are hogging.
- Look for the list of backups—these are usually named or timestamped so you can tell which is which.
From here, just tick the backups you want gone and click Delete. Easy, right? Just make sure you’re not deleting your most recent or critical ones unless you’ve got some backups stored somewhere else (like on the cloud).On some machines, this process might need a reboot or a refresh, but usually it’s pretty quick.
Tips to keep in mind when deleting backups
- Try to keep a recent backup—don’t just delete everything without a plan.
- If you’re unsure about what’s old or new, open File Explorer and go to C:\Windows\Old Backups or check your backup dates.
- For optional backups, consider using cloud services like OneDrive or Google Drive to offload important stuff.
- After deleting, run Disk Cleanup to tidy up remaining junk files (Windows + R, then type
cleanmgr). - Set up automatic cleanup if you haven’t already, so backups don’t pile up endlessly.
Other ways that might help or cause confusion
If by chance, the Control Panel route isn’t working or seems too convoluted, there’s another option. You can try managing backups through Settings > Update & Security > Backup, especially if you’re using Windows’ newer backup tools. But honestly, that only works for newer backup services, not the classic “Backup and Restore.”
If your backups are handled by third-party tools, like Macrium Reflect or Acronis, then you’ll need to open the specific app and delete backups from there. Windows’ built-in options are pretty limited once you go that route.
Also, a quick note—be aware that if you’re trying to delete backup files directly from the File Explorer, it often doesn’t work straightforwardly, because Windows protects those files. Stick to the Backup and Restore settings, or use disk cleanup tools.
Wrap-up
Really, clearing out old backup files isn’t rocket science, but it’s like everything else — Windows just has a way of making it seem more complicated than it actually is. Doing this once in a while can clear up quite a bit of space and honestly makes your system run smoother, especially if your storage is limited. Just remember to double-check before you delete, especially with old backups—you don’t want to accidentally lose a restore point that could be your safety net later on.
- Open Control Panel > System and Security > Backup and Restore
- Click “Manage space”
- Select and delete old backups you don’t need
Hopefully this shaves off a few hours for someone. Just keep an eye on those backups, and don’t be shy about setting up cloud storage or disk cleanup routines to keep everything tidy from now on.