remove windows 7 after updating to windows 10

[W-Town]

Hi,

I upgraded my machine to Windows 10 several months ago and would like to remove all the old Windows 7-64 related stuff that is no longer useful or needed for Windows 10.  Is this possible?  If so what is the process of doing this? 

Also will the HP Tools partition work with Windows 10 and since this machine is now running the new OS can I now delete all of the old software remaining in the Recovery Partion that is taking up over 20 GB of space? 

Since I have no intention of returning to Windows 7 will a recovery option be available strictly for recovering this machine in the future to Windows 10 or is this machine only recoverable for its original configuration?

In addition I would like to replace the original 650 GB hard drive with either an SSD or Hybrid drive of approx the same size.  What do you recommend and is this something I can purchase directly from HP to assure it will be compatible with this computer?

Looking forward to your response & Thanks.

[Karthik]

#HPExpertDay

I would say keep the folder.

When you run recovery the system would go back to factory condition which is Windows 7.

To clean up space, use steps under the section: 'Perform a system cleanup without HP Support Assistant' in the following document:

http://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c04770630

[PeaceLily]

Hi W-Town,

First regarding question #2 -- running a recovery on an upgraded computer will restore the original version of Windows (Win7), not the upgraded version. I would recommend creating a recovery USB first if you are considering removing the recovery partition. Just in case.

Re: question #1, the old Win7 files probably should have already deleted automatically since you upgraded months ago, but you can do it manually with disk cleanup. Here are steps for deleting the old Win7 installation files:

Delete Windows installation files to regain storage space:

The "Go Back" feature, which allows you to reinstall a previous version of Windows, is available for 31 days after upgrading to Windows 10. The Windows installation files occupy a large amount of hard drive storage space during that time. The files are deleted automatically after 31 days. However, if you want to regain the storage space before 31 days have passed, use the following steps:

 note:

After deleting the files, the Go Back feature is no longer available for restoring a previous version of Windows.

1. In Windows, search for and open Disk Cleanup.
   Figure : Disk Cleanup

   
2. Select the hard drive where the Windows installation files are stored (usually C:) and then click OK.
   Figure : Select the drive

   
   Wait while Disk Cleanup scans the drive for files that can be deleted.
3. When the Disk Cleanup wizard opens, click Clean up system files.
   Figure : Clean up system files

   
4. Select the hard drive where the Windows installation files are stored (usually C:).
   Wait while Disk Cleanup scans the drive for system files that can be deleted.
5. Select Previous Windows installation(s) and Temporary Windows installation files, and then click OK to start the cleanup.
   When the disk cleanup is complete, more free space is available on the computer hard drive.

[Futureperfect]

Hey @W-Town

Nice questions

With removing the previous Windows installation, it is normally auto removed after 30 days of upgrading but you can check by running Disk Cleanup

How to check/remove older upgrade information: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/how-do-i-remove-the-windows-old-folder

The HP Tools partition is your UEFI diagnostics (F2 at boot). It doesn't involve Windows and should work fine after the Win10 upgrade.

For the Recovery Partition you can remove it but I HIGHLY SUGGEST YOU CREATE YOUR RECOVERY MEDIA BEFORE SO just in case something happens to the notebook requiring an OS reload.

How to create recovery Media: http://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c04758961#AbT5

Involving replacing the HDD with an SSD HP warranties and supports the parts that were included with the product. You can change the drive but normal HP Support will not assist with OS reload making recovery media even  more important.

Hope this helps.

[W-Town]

Hi, thanks for your prompt reply and answers to my questions.

As for the hard drive inquiry this machine is well out of warranty and the hard drive is showing signs of age and slowing down.  Thus the reason i want to upgrade it and figured HP would be supportive of moving to an SSD or Hybrid drive replacement.  Will any 2.5" SSD drive work in this machine or does it need to be HP specific as I really don't want to have to replace the entire laptop only the hard drive??

Thanks again.

[Futureperfect · Accepted solution]

In my personal opinion moving over to an SSD is a great upgrade and one I do with my HP notebooks. Just wanted to relay what HP Support could do for you if contacting them was an opion. 

I can't you what specific SSDs willl or will not work but most drives connect and transfer data like a mechanical HDD so shouldn't cause many issues using a retail drive Ex: Samsung 850 Pro.