What can I delete on my C:\ Drive please?

SexyGreyFox · 31 Dec 2017 at 16:38

Can I get rid of the Windows.old & Windows10Upgrade folders?

Also what would my serial number be?
Would it be my Windows 7 serial?

Thanks

SexyGreyFox · 31 Dec 2017 at 16:41

I should have Googled for the first bit

Orcvader · 31 Dec 2017 at 16:53

Use disk cleanup and check the system files tick box, that will allow you to remove windows.old and any leftover files used for updates/upgrades, as well as older updates that aren't needed any more. Your recycle bin could do with some emptying as well

.

Yes, if it was upgraded from 7, your 10 key will be the same as the 7 key.

SexyGreyFox · 31 Dec 2017 at 17:03

Orcvader said:
Use disk cleanup and check the system files tick box, that will allow you to remove windows.old and any leftover files used for updates/upgrades, as well as older updates that aren't needed any more. Your recycle bin could do with some emptying as well .

Yes, if it was upgraded from 7, your 10 key will be the same as the 7 key.

I read Google directly after I posted and did the first bit

Thanks for the confirmation of serial.

bledd · 1 Jan 2018 at 07:35

CCleaner, great freeware software for cleaning up temp folders.

Windows disk cleanup, built in Windows cleanup tool.

Probably a lot in Users that you can manually delete.

hondo · 1 Jan 2018 at 09:15

If you downloaded & installed Win 10 during its first 12 month, then you don't need a serial number at all,
it will be activated by a digital licence. Try it without one, when I'm using 10 mine usually activates during the updates.

SexyGreyFox · 1 Jan 2018 at 12:40

Thanks

D3K · 1 Jan 2018 at 12:52

Once you've gotten rid of as much as you can from the above tips, you're then down to removing stuff manually. Uninstall any applications you don't use so much, and use something like Space Sniffer or WinDirStat to assess all your files and folders and drill down to the large stuff.

Moley · 1 Jan 2018 at 12:57

hondo said:
If you downloaded & installed Win 10 during its first 12 month, then you don't need a serial number at all,
it will be activated by a digital licence. Try it without one, when I'm using 10 mine usually activates during the updates.

Just to clarify for anyone who is unsure, when following this advice Windows will still ask you for a product key but you can take the option to skip/enter later and it will actually contact the Microsoft servers when it starts updating and auto-activate for you so you don't need your product key.

SexyGreyFox · 1 Jan 2018 at 13:10

Moley said:
Just to clarify for anyone who is unsure, when following this advice Windows will still ask you for a product key but you can take the option to skip/enter later and it will actually contact the Microsoft servers when it starts updating and auto-activate for you so you don't need your product key.

Does this also apply if you had to change your motherboard or is it tied in with the motherboard?

Moley · 1 Jan 2018 at 15:58

SexyGreyFox said:
Does this also apply if you had to change your motherboard or is it tied in with the motherboard?

I'm not sure to be honest. Usually you can get away with changing one or two minor components, but the motherboard might be too much. I think you can still use telephone activation though in that case.

andy_mk3 · 1 Jan 2018 at 16:04

I really hate how W10 holds onto so much junk. Especially on SSD installs where space is often very valuable.

Thekwango · 1 Jan 2018 at 16:19

SexyGreyFox said:
Does this also apply if you had to change your motherboard or is it tied in with the motherboard?

Moley said:
I'm not sure to be honest. Usually you can get away with changing one or two minor components, but the motherboard might be too much. I think you can still use telephone activation though in that case.

The simplest thing to do is create a Microsoft account (outlook email address) and associate it with your instal so you have to login using that account. You can then change pretty much whatever you want hardware wise. If you do run into any issues open a live chat and they will guide you through activating windows.

I did a complete system rebuild. Went from 1st gen Intel i5 to a Ryzen 1600 build. Windows activated first time. I initially didn't even have to do a clean install.
I ran into non associated hardware problems with the new build and must have reinstalled windows a dozen times. Eventually it wouldn't activate so opened a live chat. 5 mins or so later and it was sorted.

hondo · 1 Jan 2018 at 16:56

SexyGreyFox said:
Does this also apply if you had to change your motherboard or is it tied in with the motherboard?

In my case I got away with it, the PC I downloaded & initially installed Windows 10 on is now with the junk, within the last couple of months I've had a Gigabyte Z370 HD3 it activated on that alright.

I'd better include what might be an important fact though.

Initially my OS was Win7 Pro Retail edition, so whether my downloaded Windows 10 is the retail version too, I don't know I'm afraid.

Having said that, I'm convinced come rain or shine, MS want everyone on Windows 10 & won't put too many obstacles in the way, if I'm wrong

hondo · 1 Jan 2018 at 17:02

Moley said:
Just to clarify for anyone who is unsure, when following this advice Windows will still ask you for a product key but you can take the option to skip/enter later and it will actually contact the Microsoft servers when it starts updating and auto-activate for you so you don't need your product key.

Moley is bang on above, that's exactly what I do.