USMT


mm71

Well-known member
Local time
7:31 PM
Posts
111
OS
Windows 11 Home Edition Version 22H2 (OS Build 22621.3296)
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.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home Edition Version 22H2 (OS Build 22621.3296)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 7506 2-in-1
    CPU
    11th Generation Intel® Core™ i5-1135G7 Processor
    Memory
    12GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) Truelife
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    512GB M.2 PCIe NVMe Solid State Drive
    Keyboard
    English International Backlit Silver
    Mouse
    Microsoft HID Device
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge
    Antivirus
    Trial version of McAfee
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.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
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.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 22631.3296
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7080
    CPU
    i9-10900 10 core 20 threads
    Motherboard
    DELL 0J37VM
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    none-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1tb Solidigm m.2 +256gb ssd+512 gb usb m.2 sata
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell Premium
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    so slow I'm too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro 22H2 19045.3930
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 9020
    CPU
    i7-4770
    Memory
    24 gb
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    256 gb Toshiba BG4 M.2 NVE SSB and 1 tb hdd
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell factory
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Internet Speed
    still not telling
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
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.
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home Edition Version 22H2 (OS Build 22621.3296)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 7506 2-in-1
    CPU
    11th Generation Intel® Core™ i5-1135G7 Processor
    Memory
    12GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) Truelife
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    512GB M.2 PCIe NVMe Solid State Drive
    Keyboard
    English International Backlit Silver
    Mouse
    Microsoft HID Device
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge
    Antivirus
    Trial version of McAfee
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.

Screenshot 2022-07-08 111018.pngScreenshot 2022-07-08 111152.pngScreenshot 2022-07-08 111251.png
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home Edition Version 22H2 (OS Build 22621.3296)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 7506 2-in-1
    CPU
    11th Generation Intel® Core™ i5-1135G7 Processor
    Memory
    12GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) Truelife
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    512GB M.2 PCIe NVMe Solid State Drive
    Keyboard
    English International Backlit Silver
    Mouse
    Microsoft HID Device
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge
    Antivirus
    Trial version of McAfee
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. :)
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 22631.3296
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7080
    CPU
    i9-10900 10 core 20 threads
    Motherboard
    DELL 0J37VM
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    none-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1tb Solidigm m.2 +256gb ssd+512 gb usb m.2 sata
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell Premium
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    so slow I'm too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro 22H2 19045.3930
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 9020
    CPU
    i7-4770
    Memory
    24 gb
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    256 gb Toshiba BG4 M.2 NVE SSB and 1 tb hdd
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell factory
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Internet Speed
    still not telling
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
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.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home Edition Version 22H2 (OS Build 22621.3296)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 7506 2-in-1
    CPU
    11th Generation Intel® Core™ i5-1135G7 Processor
    Memory
    12GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) Truelife
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    512GB M.2 PCIe NVMe Solid State Drive
    Keyboard
    English International Backlit Silver
    Mouse
    Microsoft HID Device
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge
    Antivirus
    Trial version of McAfee
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.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home Edition Version 22H2 (OS Build 22621.3296)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 7506 2-in-1
    CPU
    11th Generation Intel® Core™ i5-1135G7 Processor
    Memory
    12GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) Truelife
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    512GB M.2 PCIe NVMe Solid State Drive
    Keyboard
    English International Backlit Silver
    Mouse
    Microsoft HID Device
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge
    Antivirus
    Trial version of McAfee
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.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home Edition Version 22H2 (OS Build 22621.3296)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 7506 2-in-1
    CPU
    11th Generation Intel® Core™ i5-1135G7 Processor
    Memory
    12GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) Truelife
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    512GB M.2 PCIe NVMe Solid State Drive
    Keyboard
    English International Backlit Silver
    Mouse
    Microsoft HID Device
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge
    Antivirus
    Trial version of McAfee
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.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home Edition Version 22H2 (OS Build 22621.3296)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 7506 2-in-1
    CPU
    11th Generation Intel® Core™ i5-1135G7 Processor
    Memory
    12GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) Truelife
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    512GB M.2 PCIe NVMe Solid State Drive
    Keyboard
    English International Backlit Silver
    Mouse
    Microsoft HID Device
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge
    Antivirus
    Trial version of McAfee
(y)
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 22631.3296
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7080
    CPU
    i9-10900 10 core 20 threads
    Motherboard
    DELL 0J37VM
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    none-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1tb Solidigm m.2 +256gb ssd+512 gb usb m.2 sata
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell Premium
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    so slow I'm too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro 22H2 19045.3930
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 9020
    CPU
    i7-4770
    Memory
    24 gb
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    256 gb Toshiba BG4 M.2 NVE SSB and 1 tb hdd
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell factory
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Internet Speed
    still not telling
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 64 bit 22H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Gigabyte Z390 UD
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 77000 3.60
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte Z390 UD
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVidia GEForce RTX 2060 Super
    Sound Card
    onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Two 27" Dell 4K monitors
    Screen Resolution
    3840 x 2160
    Hard Drives
    M.2 NVME SSD, 500 GB; Two 2TB Mechanical HDD's
    PSU
    850w PSU
    Case
    Cyberpower PC
    Cooling
    Water cooled
    Keyboard
    Backlit Cyberpower gamiong keyboard
    Mouse
    Backlit Cyberpower gaming mouse
    Internet Speed
    1 GB mbps
    Browser
    Brave
    Antivirus
    Windows Security
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.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home Edition Version 22H2 (OS Build 22621.3296)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 7506 2-in-1
    CPU
    11th Generation Intel® Core™ i5-1135G7 Processor
    Memory
    12GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) Truelife
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    512GB M.2 PCIe NVMe Solid State Drive
    Keyboard
    English International Backlit Silver
    Mouse
    Microsoft HID Device
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge
    Antivirus
    Trial version of McAfee

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