What Is Windows Panther Folder? Where Is It? Can You Delete It?

What Is Windows Panther?

The Windows Panther folder contains Windows setup, installation, and upgrade log files. In Windows 10, the location of this folder depends on your upgrade installation phase, and you can only see it if you allow File Explorer to show hidden content. In some versions of Windows, Windows Panther folder names are blue. This means the folders are compressed.

The stages and corresponding positions are as follows:

• Down-level phase: C:$WINDOWS.~BT\Sources\Panther
• Windows Preinstallation Environment phase: X:$WINDOWS.~BT\Sources\Panther
• Online configuration phase or first boot phase: C:\WINDOWS\PANTHER
• Windows Welcome phase: C:\WINDOWS\PANTHER
• Rollback phase: C:$WINDOWS.~BT\Sources\Panther

Can I Remove Windows Panther in Windows 10?

 Many users have asked if it is safe to delete the C:\WINDOWS\PANTHER folder. The simple answer is yes. This folder contains necessary log files and data that will come in handy if something goes wrong during the installation.

The log files indicate potential problems that stopped the installation process. However, if the installation went well and you don’t plan to roll back to a previous Windows version, you can delete this folder, as this will not put the current state of the system at risk. In any case, Windows also deletes the program after a while. It means, you have to be careful how you delete folders.

Also see:

• What Is WindowsApps Folder and How to Access & Delete It?
• What Is the Found.000 Folder and Should You Delete It?

How to Delete Windows Panther Folder?

The Panther folder can take up a lot of hard drive space. That’s why most users want to get rid of it. Remember, if you plan to go back to a previous Windows 10 version, you must keep the folder intact.

If you want to delete a folder from your system, the normal right-click and delete options are not recommended. The safe bet is to use the Disk Cleanup utility or the Settings application.

Way 1: Via Disk Cleanup

The first method is via Disk Cleanup. Here are the instructions:

Step 1: Press the Windows key and E key together to open File Explorer.

Step 2: Once File Explorer appears, go to the left pane and click This PC.

Step 3: Next, go to the Devices and Drives section in the right pane, right-click on the main volume where the folder is located, which should normally be Disk C, and click Properties in the context menu.

Step 4: Under the General tab, click the Disk Cleanup button.

Step 5: Next, check the boxes next to the temporary files you want to delete and click the OK button.

After the cleaning process is complete, restart your computer.

Way 2: Via Settings

You can also clear Windows Panther files through the Settings app. The following are the steps:

Step 1: Press the Windows + I keys at the same time to open the Settings application.

Step 2: Next, click the System icon and go to the left pane. Then, click Storage.

Step 4: Go to the right side of the screen and click Temporary Files. Allow Windows to scan your temporary files.

Step 5: After the scan is complete, select the category of temporary files you want to delete and click the Delete Files button.

Final Words

Now, you have known what Windows Panther is. Should you delete it? The answer is Yes. Besides, this post has introduced 2 ways for you to delete the folder.