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This Itechguide teaches you how to delete backup files in Windows 10. The guide covers steps for 2 methods to delete backup files in Windows 10.
Option 1: Delete Backup Files with “File History” Backup
If you created backup with the new Windows 10 File History Backup, use the methods in this section to delete the backup files…
- Right-click the Windows 10 Start menu and click Settings.

- On the Windows Settings screen, scroll down and click Update & Security.

- Then, on the left pane of the Windows Update screen, click Backup.

- When the Backup screen open, beneath Backup using File History, click More options.

- Then, on the Backup options screen, scroll down to Related settings and click See advanced settings. File History settings will open in a new window.

- On the left pane of the Keep a history of your files screen, click Advanced settings.

- When the Advanced settings screen opens, on the bottom of the Versions section, click Clean up versions.

- Finally, on the File History Cleanup pop-up, click the Delete files drop-down and select an option.

- The quickest option to delete backup files on the File History Cleanup is to select the All but the latest one.
- Finally, click Clean up – see the second image below.


Option 2: Delete Backup Files with Windows 7 Backup
If you created backups with Windows 7 backup and restore tool before you upgraded to Windows 10, use the steps below to delete the backup files…
- Follow the steps in the previous method until you get to Backup.
- Then, beneath Looking for an older backup?, click Go to Backup and Restore (Windows 7).

- On the Back up or restore your files screen, beneath Backup size, click Manage space.

- When the Manage Windows Backup disk space screen open, beneath Data file backup, click View backups…

- Then, click on a backup and click Delete.

- On the Delete confirmation pop-up, select a delete option. Then, click Close twice.


- You will be returned to Manage Windows Backup disk space screen. Beneath System image, click Change settings.

- On the Select how Windows retains older system images, select Keep only the latest system image and minimize space used by backup option. Then, to save your changes, click OK.

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Popular on Amazon
- Easily store and access 2TB to content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
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Finally, for more Windows 10 Itechguides, visit our Windows How-To page.
Quick Recap
Also popular on Amazon
- High capacity in a small enclosure – The small, lightweight design offers up to 6TB* capacity, making WD Elements portable hard drives the ideal companion for consumers on the go.
- Plug-and-play expandability
- Vast capacities up to 6TB[1] to store your photos, videos, music, important documents and more
- SuperSpeed USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5Gbps)
Also popular on Amazon
- Easily store and access 4TB of content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive.Specific uses: Personal
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
Also popular on Amazon
- Easily store and access 1TB to content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive.Specific uses: Personal
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop. Reformatting may be required for Mac
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
Also popular on Amazon
- Easily store and access 5TB of content on the go with the Seagate portable drive, a USB external hard Drive
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.

