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I just performed an in-place upgrade of Windows Vista to Windows 7.

Left behind by the upgrade were two hidden folders: $WINDOWS.~Q and $INPLACE.~TR.

What are these folders, and are they safe to delete?

Previously, I had only performed from-scratch installs and hadn't seen these before:

Screenshot of C: showing $WINDOWS.~Q and $INPLACE.~TR folders highlighted

(I have a hunch, but I'm surprised I couldn't find the answer here at superuser, so I'm asking.)

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3 Answers

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From What Are the $INPLACE.~TR and $WINDOWS.~Q Folders and Can I Delete Them?

These two folders are leftover folders created by Windows during the upgrade process, but unfortunately they don’t get deleted at the end of the setup process. You’ll only see them if you’ve got the option to show hidden files enabled under Organize –> Folder and Search Options.

The good news is that you can definitely get rid of them.

The easiest way to remove them is to just run Disk Cleanup (type it into the start menu search box), and then click the button to “Clean up system files”, which will re-launch Disk Cleanup as administrator.

Why is this the easiest way instead of the delete key? Because the folders are normally system protected, and you should also use Disk Cleanup regularly, so stop whining and get to it!

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+1 Great article link from howtogeek.com. – Chris W. Rea Dec 9 '09 at 13:53
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You can delete them.

My hunch is that the $Windows ~Q folder is a backup of sorts. If you're not planning on rolling back the OS, you can probably delete it. (Just be sure that it's not the actual windows 7 install.)

Also, My general policy, for better or for worse, is like this: If the folder wouldn't be on an OEM machine or a fresh install (not upgrade), I feel safe deleting it. Many installers leave temporary junk on your C: Drive constantly, and Windows is Noe Exception. (Have you ever seen the Windows Update backups? ... ...)

Incidentally, the best way to upgrade is Backup, Format C, and install fresh. It avoids sooo many issues. Just Sayin'

Good Luck.

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+1 for best upgrade method ;) (bak / format c: / install) – Jakub Dec 9 '09 at 13:45
@Jakub - Thanks :D – Moshe Dec 9 '09 at 13:48
I agree on clean upgrade method in general. In this case it was a rarely-used VM on my MacBook that had a ton of stuff installed. I do need it from time to time, but I don't use it often enough to warrant the full re-paving. All of my PCs got the re-paving. – Chris W. Rea Dec 9 '09 at 13:52
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up vote 1 down vote

You can delete them safely. They are temporary folders created during the upgrade.

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I'd give you +1/2 for answering half the question, but that's not a permitted vote increment ;-) – Chris W. Rea Dec 9 '09 at 13:55
ROFL. Thanks for thinking about me. I've edited my answer. – Randolph West Dec 9 '09 at 13:59
LOL. +1 for actually making the revision. – Chris W. Rea Dec 9 '09 at 14:51
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