How to delete backup files in Windows 10

Windows 10 uses a built-in file backup system to keep your system safe from possible data loss and we would always recommend that you keep a system backup ready for those unfortunate situations. As you play safe by backing up all the files, your Windows 10 PC begins to have issues keeping up with them because if Windows backup files, it is stored inside any drive of the computer. These files eat up a large chunk of your precious memory and slow down the system, discuss How to delete backup files in Windows 10.

We recommend you to delete older backed-up versions of files and folders from your Windows 10 PC to keep the memory clutter-free. Here are the simple steps for “How to delete backup files in Windows 10”.

Method 1

Deleting Backup Files from Windows 10 settings

Windows 10 have a built-in tool for managing and deleting Backup files. Even if you’re using Windows 10 Pro or Windows 10 N, this is the most convenient way to delete the old backup files.

Step1

Open the Windows Settings menu and select “Update & Security” You will find the “Backup” option and need to click that.

Step 2:

After you reach the “Backup” page, look for the option “Go to backup and restore” Select this option and you can see the details of the backup files including drive location and size.

Step 3:

On the current page find and click on the “Manage space” option.

Step 4:

If you’ve done everything right till now, you’re on a new window named “Manage Windows Backup disk space”. Here you can find two options, “View backups” and “Change settings”.

Step 5:

Select “View backups” from the Data file backup option.

The pop-up window will ask you to select a time frame for deleting the backup files.

Select the appropriate period to delete old backup files. Sit back and relax as Windows deletes all those unnecessary backup files and release the memory.

Step 6: Let’s make your Windows 10 PC’s backup plan smarter.

Go back to Step 4 and click on the “Change settings” option. This option helps you to decide how your PC retains the older system images or backups. You can find two options here,

1. Let Windows manage the space used for backup history – This option will let Windows do its own work. The maximum space used for the backup will be mentioned in this case and once the backup file size reaches 30% of the mentioned size, Windows will automatically delete the older system images and free up space automatically.
2. Keep only the latest system image and minimize space used by backup – We recommend you to select this option over the first one because in this case, Windows will keep only the recent system image and save a lot of disk space for you.

Method 2

Delete App Backup Files Using Windows 10 File History Cleanup

File History is Windows 10’s primary backup feature and it automatically saves multiple versions of files and folders. You can easily delete Windows backup files using the File History menu. If you’re looking for how to delete app backup files in Windows 10, this is the easiest method.

Step 1:

Open Control Panel and select the “System & Security”option

Step 2:

Click on the “File History” icon. This option will take you to the File History menu where Windows 10 file and app back up details are shown.

Step 3:

Look for the “Advanced settings” link on the left side of the screen and click on it. The new page is has a “Versions” section which shows options to select how often you want Windows to save copies of your files and how long to keep saved versions.

Step 4:

Select the “Clean up versions” link.

Step 5:

Now Windows will ask you to select the period of versions you want to delete. Select the time frame you want and click on “Clean up”.

Windows will delete all backup files and folders older than the selected age.

Method 3

Deleting Windows System Restore Points.

Windows 10 uses the System Restore feature to create restore points for major system updates. If this option is enabled and multiple restore points are made, it can take up important disk space and slow down your PC. Let’s check how we can delete old system restore points in your Windows 10 PC.

Step 1:

Open the Run window by pressing the windows+R keys. In the Run window type “systempropertiesprotection” and hit enter.

Step 2:

Now you’re on the System Properties window, select the System Protection tab and click on “configure”

Step 3:

In the System Protection window, press the “Delete button”. This will remove any saved System Restore points. You also have an option to change how much disk space this backup feature can use. Select the appropriate memory by moving the max usage pointer.

Method 4:

Delete Old Windows 10 Backup Files Using Command Prompt

This one is for the geeks. We know that you always want to take the road less traveled. There are specific commands you can use to delete app backup files in Windows 10.

Step 1:

Open the command center. You can press Windows+X keys to open the Quick Link menu and select the command center. Don’t worry if you can’t find the command center option, look for the “Windows PowerShell” option which is the replacement for the command center.

Step 2:

Execute the following command for the time period of backup files you want to delete, and press the Enter key.

All but the latest one

• FhManagew.exe -cleanup 0
• FhManagew.exe -cleanup 0 -quiet

Older than 1 month

• FhManagew.exe -cleanup 30
• FhManagew.exe -cleanup 30 –quiet

Older than 3 month

• FhManagew.exe -cleanup 90
• FhManagew.exe -cleanup 90 -quiet

Older than 6 month

• FhManagew.exe -cleanup 180
• FhManagew.exe -cleanup 180 -quiet

Older than 1 year (default)

• FhManagew.exe -cleanup 365
• FhManagew.exe -cleanup 365 -quiet

Step 4: Windows will update you if cleanup is completed. Press OK to complete the process.

Windows 10 Pro vs Pro N:

The N version of Windows 10 is specially released for the European region and Windows 10 Pro N does not include any multimedia apps that come with Windows 10 Pro. The Windows 10 Pro N version holds all the basic functions you can find in Windows 10 Pro except for the pre-installed Windows Media Player & related technologies. This N version is released after the EU court found that Microsoft was doing a monopoly business by providing their own built-in apps through which the company was taking some extra advantage for beating the other apps vendors. The Windows 10 Pro N version gives users the freedom to download and use their preferred media player.

Always keep in mind that Windows is backing up every data we feed into the computer. It’s always useful to know how to delete backup files on your Windows 10 PC. Deleting app backup files regularly will keep your system memory clean and healthy.

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thanks reading, for more information visit microsoft.com.