windows 8 has deleted my windows.old/programfiles ?!!!

Anonymous

I was rather annoyed that windows 8, instead of integrating my existing programs and settings, shoved everything including settings in windows.old/ProgramFiles (what was the point of having a tick box that said "keep existing settings" if it didnt and even made my email inaccessible till I downloaded windows live mail again?)

However after hours of fiddling I managed to do a combination of re-install and running programs with tricky settings from the windows.old/program files directory via desktop shortcuts

Over the last few days the short cuts stopped working and I see windows 8 has deleted my windows.old/programfiles directory!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Its not in my Recycle bin, its not in my AVG virus vault

Any one know where this is!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I couldnt understand why windows 8 had to stuff all my programs out of the way so it would take me hours to make shortcuts...but deleting the whole directory and my settings? Come on, this is rediculous

HELLLLP!!!

Andy

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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Anonymous

As I understand the process, the Windows 8 upgrade will copy your existing files and settings into \Windows.old, including:

PerfLogs
Program Files
Program Files (x86)
Users
Windows

It will then create new folders for all of the above, and migrate the files into the new folders. The \Windows.oldfolder is really just there as a part of the upgrade process, but it does act as a temporary backup folder. If you don't need anything from there in the first month, then you're not likely to need anything from there ever (as most / all of it is already in the new folders, and the old folder is likely taking up gigabytes of space).

Now, if you've upgraded from Windows 7, then congrats, everything has been moved to the new folders, including installed programs and drivers.

If you've upgraded from Vista or earlier, then your documents and settings have been migrated, but you're expected to reinstall the programs yourself, and the upgrade makes this clear. If you're foolish enough to create shortcuts into*\Windows.old\Program Files* and hack the registry to point into that folder, then you've dug your own grave.

(I came here through a Reddit link, thought I'd copy my explanation over there to the original thread here.)

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Anonymous

Hi ,

Thank you for posting your query on Microsoft Community Forum.

From your issue description , I understand that the Windows .old folder is deleted from your Windows 8 computer.

In order to help you better,pease provide us with the following information.

1.When did you install Windows 8 in your computer?

I understand the inconvenience caused you, unfortunately the Widows .old folder will delete automatically after 28 days since Windows was installed.

It will also delete automatically when the Windows drive has less than 10% free space.

I am sorry to let you inform that its not possible to retrieve if the Windows.old folder is deleted from your computer .

Reply with the required information. If you have any further issues, please get back to us and we would be happy to help you.

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61 additional answers

Anonymous

2012-12-16T10:08:37+00:00

Thank you for your clear answer

I really cannot believe that someone within Microsoft thinks that you should:

First encourage people to pay to upgrade to windows 8 and provide a "keep my settings" tick box which does NOT keep your programs or settings leaving you to download windows live mail to get your email back and just throws all your old programs and settings into a "backup windows.old" folder.

Secondly and MUCH WORSE! Who, in the whole history of computing, creates one solitary backup, then without warning deletes it automatically after 28 days?!!!!

But then a backup suggests its stored in more than one place, this is just years of engineering programs accumulated for their utility value from who knows where, and web upload programs/ftp with all the website settings forgotten. Just moved then deleted.

Let me encourage you to upgrade from your old home to a new one. I will automatically stick your belongings in a room in the new house accessed by only a rickety ladder so you cant use them easily. Twenty nine days later you go up the ladder to find that I have sold all your belongings...sorry 28 days mate.
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Anonymous

2012-12-30T23:58:41+00:00

Is there seriously no way to get these files back? Where was it made clear that everything would be lost 28 days after upgrading?!
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Anonymous

2013-01-05T22:32:57+00:00

Hi,

I so wish I would have read your post before Windows 8 just deleted my stuff. Exactly the same situation, created shortcuts to the windows.old folder happily using my application then one day, without warning, gone.

Absolute shambles Microsoft. Can't believe I paid for this upgrade to lose all my files.

YOU NEED TO GIVE PEOPLE A WARNING WHEN THEY UPGRADE THEIR OS TO MOVE THEIR PROGRAMS OUT OF THE WINDOWS.OLD FOLDER!
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