How to Delete iTunes Backup on Windows 10

iPhone and iPad backups made on a Windows 10 PC can each take up many gigabytes, and old ones stay on your drive until you remove them. The safest way to delete one is from inside iTunes or the Apple Devices app, where you can see the device name and date of each backup. You can also delete the backup folders directly in File Explorer. Both methods are covered below, along with how to tell which app you are using and what to do if a backup will not delete.

Microsoft ended Windows 10 support on October 14, 2025, so a PC without Extended Security Updates no longer receives security fixes; that program runs until October 12, 2027.

iTunes or Apple Devices: Which App Do You Have?

Apple now uses the Apple Devices app to back up and sync iPhones and iPads on Windows, while iTunes handles music and podcasts. If you have installed Apple Devices, your backups are managed there. If you only have iTunes, use the iTunes steps. Both apps store backups in the same type of folder, and both show the same Manage Backups list. If the software is missing, you’ll need to download iTunes again.

Method 1: Delete a Backup in the Apple Devices App

These steps match Apple’s guide to locating and managing backups.

1. Open the Apple Devices app and connect your iPhone or iPad with a USB cable.
2. Click your device in the sidebar. If prompted, tap Trust on the device and enter its passcode.
3. On the General tab, click Manage Backups.
4. Right-click the backup you want to remove and choose Delete, then confirm.
5. Click OK to close the list.

Method 2: Delete a Backup in iTunes

1. Open iTunes. You do not need to connect your device.
2. Click Edit > Preferences.
3. Select the Devices tab to see every backup with its device name and date.
4. Click the backup you want to remove and click Delete Backup.
5. Click Delete to confirm, then click OK.

Backups with a lock icon are encrypted. Deleting them works the same way and does not require the backup password.

Method 3: Delete Backup Folders in File Explorer

Use this method if iTunes or Apple Devices will not open, or if you want to see exactly how much space each backup uses.

1. Press Windows + R to open the Run box.
2. If you use the Apple Devices app or iTunes from the Microsoft Store, type %USERPROFILE%\Apple\MobileSync\Backup and press Enter.
3. If you use the older iTunes downloaded from Apple’s website, type %APPDATA%\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup and press Enter.
4. Each subfolder is one backup. Folder names are long strings of letters and numbers, not dates, so switch to Details view and use the Date modified column to find old backups.
5. Select the folders you want to remove and press Delete.
6. Empty the Recycle Bin to get the space back.

Do not move or rename files inside a backup folder. A partially changed backup cannot be restored. To check what a backup holds before removing it, you can view iPhone backup files on Windows 10.

Before You Delete: Keep the Backup You Need

• Keep at least one recent backup of each device unless it is also backed up to iCloud.
• Instead of deleting, you can choose Archive in Manage Backups (Apple Devices or Finder) to stop a backup from being overwritten by the next one.
• If you want to keep an old backup but free up space, copy its folder to an external drive first, check the copy finished, and then delete it from your PC.
• Media such as songs are not stored in device backups. Your music library is kept safe by transferring music from iTunes to your computer.

How to Stop Backups From Filling Your Drive

Each new backup of the same device replaces the previous one, but backups of old phones, a partner’s iPad or a work device stay until you delete them. To keep the folder under control:

• In Apple Devices or iTunes, open your device’s General (or Summary) page and choose Back up your most important data to iCloud if you have enough iCloud storage. The PC then stops storing full backups for that device.
• Review the Manage Backups list every few months and remove backups of devices you no longer own.
• Avoid archiving backups unless you need a specific restore point, because archived backups are never replaced automatically.
• If your Windows drive is small, consider moving your user files to a larger drive; Apple does not offer a setting to change the backup location.

Troubleshooting

The Delete Backup button is grayed out

A backup or sync may be in progress. Disconnect the device, wait a minute, and try again. Closing and reopening the app also helps.

No backups are listed

Your backups may be in the other folder location, or your device may back up only to iCloud. Check both File Explorer paths above. iCloud backups are managed on the device under Settings > [your name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup.

"The action can’t be completed because the folder is open"

Close iTunes, Apple Devices and any File Explorer windows showing the backup, then try again. Restarting the PC releases any locked files.

Disk space did not increase

Empty the Recycle Bin, then check disk space in Windows 10 to confirm the space you recovered.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to delete iTunes backups?

Yes. Deleting a backup only removes the copy stored on your PC. It does not change anything on your iPhone or iPad, but you will no longer be able to restore from that backup.

Can I recover a deleted backup?

Only if it is still in the Recycle Bin. Once the bin is emptied, the backup is gone, so make sure you have a newer backup first.

How much space does an iPhone backup use?

It depends on the device. Backups exclude media you already synced and apps you can redownload, but photos, messages and app data can still add up to many gigabytes.

Does Windows 11 use the same steps?

Yes. The Apple Devices app, iTunes and folder locations are the same on Windows 11. Other Apple apps run on your PC too, so you can also watch Apple TV on Windows 10.