USMT

mm71 · Jul 7, 2022

I had to do a factory recovery after a problem and I was asked if I wanted to keep my files and folders. Obviously I said yes. The recovery was successful, but now I have lost a lot of space and when I analysed my disk in WinDIrStat I saw there is a huge folder (about 100GB) called USMT in DO_NOT_DELETE. The folder is visible in WinDIrStat, but if I close it it is not visible at all in Windows, not even if I choose to view hidden folders.
I know that when for example Windows is repaired the normal way (from a Windows disk) there will then be a folder called Windows_old that will disappear after 10 days.
As the recovery and migration of my files was successful, what can I do to recover space and is this folder still necessary?
Thank you.

neemobeer · Jul 7, 2022

There is hidden and system hidden. Make sure to uncheck the "hide system files" checkbox in the view options within Windows explorer. If your data files were successfully restored it should be save to remove the USMT (user state migration tool) directory.

glasskuter · Jul 7, 2022

Actually, you did it incorrectly. A factory recovery does not repair Windows. A factory recovery should be done exactly as the term implies...recovering your system exactly as it came from the factory, no user account, no personal files or settings, no added applications. You should have manually backed up any user files prior to recovery, recovered to factory default, reinstalled any applications after recovery and recovered your files from your backup.

The folder is not visible within Windows because it is a hidden folder.

IMO if you delete this folder you will have to reinstall Windows as it is reported on the web that the OS will cease to work. For your sake, I hope others here will disagree with me. If you want to straighten this out as it is supposed to be , copy your personal files to external media and do a clean install of Windows. If you don't, it will probably come back to bite you in the butt at a later date.

mm71 · Jul 7, 2022

You are right, glasskuter. The "factory" word is a bit confusing. I performed a factory reset on another laptops in the past, and normally what you said happens.
I think this was it: How Do You Reset a Laptop to Factory Settings Dell
It is basically just "reset your PC" that is normally in Troubleshoot (repairing Windows). I didn't see any option to really reset to normal factory settings.

mm71 · Jul 7, 2022

Just to clarify...
I have attached a screenshot of the files and folders detected by WinDIrStat.
There is no usmt.ppkg in them (someone had reported a problem in this thread Solved - Deleted usmt.ppkg, nothing works anymore), and the hidden folder is in C:, not the Recovery folder - also in C: The contents of the Recovery folder cannot be viewed even in WinDirStat.

glasskuter · Jul 7, 2022

I wonder why this USMT folder is not mentioned anywhere in that Dell document telling people what to do with it. I also wonder if had you not chosen the "keep my files' option if it would have been created and if you would have a true 'factory reset' as out of box. What troubles me is the real lack of info on the web about the removal of the folder. I'll be the first to admit, this stumps me now and I just don't know.

I bought a Dell last year but since I make regular full backups I deleted the Dell partition (it was Windows 10 anyway) to gain space since my ssd was so small. I haven't reset one of my computers in years, and never using the factory partition since I started making backups. Once you get a clear, firm answer to this, I would appreciate it if you would let me know the outcome. It ticks me off to be 100% clueless about something. I much prefer being the 95% that I usually am about some of this stuff. :)

mm71 · Jul 7, 2022

Thank you, yes, I know. I have been trying to find an answer for 5 days. There is nothing. But if I find an answer, I will come back for sure.

mm71 · Jul 7, 2022

Judging from the size, I would think it is the backup of my files? The recovery first said they were backing up my files, then that they were migrating/transferring them back to Windows after repairing it, but it is just an assumption. I have no idea.

mm71 · Jul 7, 2022

I am just curious to see if it will disappear when Windows.old disappears? I really don't know, I am just curious. I have to wait another 5 days though as I think Windows.old disappears after 10 days? I will let you know.

mm71 · Jul 11, 2022

All good. I didn't find a thread about repairing Windows, but I found a thread about USMT backups, and yes, they can be deleted if not needed. Just to be sure, I moved the folder to an external HD and rebooted. No problem at all, so now I can delete the backup from the external HD too and create a new proper image backup.

glasskuter · Jul 11, 2022

Spunk · Jul 12, 2022

You can manually remove Windows.old to regain space in Settings/Storage/Cleanup Recommendations/Previous Windows Installation KB5012334—Delete the Windows.old folder using Storage sense in the Settings app

mm71 · Jul 12, 2022

Thank you, but it was a backup created by the migration software USMT which is what Dell apparently uses. Next time I would prefer to use a normal Windows repair tool, but when the laptop would not boot Dell took me to their own recovery tools and I just went ahead.

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