A PC user recently asked us what’s the Windows10Upgrade folder located at the root of the Windows 10 installation folder and is it safe to delete it.
What is Windows10Upgrade folder?
Well, the Windows10Upgrade folder is not created when you install the Windows 10 operating system. Rather, it is created when you install and use the Windows 10 Update Assistant to upgrade Windows 10 to the latest version.
The Windows 10 Update Assistant tool lets you download and install feature updates on Windows 10. The tool, when used, creates the Windows10Upgrade folder at the root of the Windows 10 installed drive.
When you use the Windows 10 Update Assistant tool to upgrade Windows 10 to the latest version, the tool uses the Windows10Upgrade folder to temporarily store the downloaded ESD files (containing feature update files). The ESD files are automatically deleted once the upgrade is done.
When not in use, the Windows10Upgrade folder consumes under 20 MB of disk space. When being used (when feature updates are being downloaded), its size can go up to 5 GB.
While it is possible to delete the Windows10Upgrade folder from within the File Explorer, the Windows 10 Update Assistant won’t run without the folder. In fact, you might not be able to uninstall it correctly.
If you want to safely delete the Windows10Upgrade folder, you need to uninstall the Windows 10 Update Assistant program from your PC as doing so will remove the Windows10Upgrade folder as well.
Safely delete the Windows10Upgrade folder
Step 1: Open the Settings app. Navigate to Apps > Apps & features page.
Step 2: Scroll down the installed apps list to see Windows 10 Update Assistant entry. Click on it to reveal the Uninstall button. Click the Uninstall button. When you see a pop-up, click the Uninstall button again.
Uninstalling the Windows 10 Update Assistant program automatically deletes the Windows10Upgrade folder as well.
Alternatively, you can uninstall the Windows 10 Update Assistant via Control Panel as well. Type Appwiz.cpl in Start/taskbar search field and hit Enter key to open Programs and Features window which shows all installed programs, including Windows 10 Update Assistant. Right-click on Windows 10 Update Assistant entry and click Uninstall.