To delete backup files in Windows 10, first check which backup you use. For File History, open Control Panel > File History > Advanced settings > Clean up versions and choose how old the removed versions should be. For old Backup and Restore (Windows 7) backups, open that tool, click Manage space and delete older backups or system images. Don’t delete backup folders manually while a backup is running. Windows 10 reached end of support on October 14, 2025. Consumer Extended Security Updates (ESU) now run until October 12, 2027.
Quick Answer
File History: Control Panel > File History > Advanced settings > Clean up versions. Backup and Restore: Manage space > View backups > Delete.
Method 1: Clean Up File History Versions
- Open Control Panel > System and Security > File History.
- Click Advanced settings.
- Click Clean up versions.
- Choose an age, such as Older than 1 year, and click Clean up.
- Under Keep saved versions, choose a shorter period so it doesn’t fill up again.
Method 2: Backup and Restore (Windows 7)
- Open Control Panel > Backup and Restore (Windows 7).
- Click Manage space.
- Click View backups and delete older backup periods.
- Under System image, click Change settings to keep only the latest image.
Other Backup Files You Can Remove
| Item | How to remove |
|---|---|
| Old Windows update backups | Disk Cleanup > Clean up system files |
| Restore points | System Protection > Configure > Delete |
| Windows.old folder | Disk Cleanup > Previous Windows installation(s) |
| Phone backups | Delete from your phone backup app’s settings |
Troubleshooting
- Backup drive still full: Clean up older versions, reduce the retention period, or use a larger drive.
- Want a full backup instead? See creating a system image.
- Freeing space on C: See finding large files and getting more storage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will deleting backups delete my files?
No. It removes backup copies, not the files on your PC.
Can I delete the FileHistory folder directly?
It’s safer to use Clean up versions. If you stop using File History, turn it off first, then delete the folder.
How much should I keep?
At least one recent full backup plus a few weeks of versions is a sensible minimum.
Summary
- Identify your backup type.
- Use Clean up versions for File History.
- Use Manage space for Backup and Restore.
- Shorten retention to prevent it filling up again.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.