# How to delete old backups on Windows

## Quick answer

In TextPort:

1. Click **Backups** at the top.
2. Click **…** next to the backup under **On this PC**.
3. Click **Delete…**.
4. Click **Delete backup**.

It is gone for good. It does not go to the Recycle Bin. Your iPhone is not changed.

## What you need

- TextPort for Windows with at least one backup

## Steps

1. Click **Backups**

   It is at the top of TextPort. Your backups show under **On this PC**.

### One backup

2. Click **…**, then **Delete…**

   Click **…** next to the backup. Then click **Delete…**. **Delete this backup?** opens.

3. Click **Delete backup**

   Read how much space it frees first. The backup goes away from the list.

### All backups of an iPhone

2. Click **…**, then **Delete all backups…**

   Click **…** next to the iPhone's name. Then click **Delete all backups…**.

   Tip: With only one backup, **Delete this backup?** opens instead.

3. Click **Delete all backups**

   Read how much space it frees first. Every backup of this iPhone goes away.

### Incomplete backups

2. Click **Delete them**

   It shows after a backup finishes, when older incomplete backups use space. A window opens.

   Tip: You can also delete one the normal way. Click **…** next to it, then **Delete…**.

3. Click **Delete backups**

   Your complete backups stay.

## Done

The backup is gone from your PC, and the space is free.

## Problems

| What you see | What to do |
| --- | --- |
| **This is the only complete backup** of your iPhone. | Back up the iPhone again first if you still have it. Without the iPhone, these messages can't be recovered from this PC. |
| **I understand these messages can’t be recovered from this PC** | You see this when the iPhone isn't plugged in and no other complete backup is left. Check it only if you are sure. Then the delete button works. |
| **Delete…** is gray. | An export is reading this backup, or a new backup builds on it. Wait for it to finish. |
| **Couldn’t delete this backup** | Nothing was deleted. Click **Try again**. |
| **Drive not connected** | Connect the drive to delete the backup. Or click **…**, then **Remove from list**. The files stay on that drive. |
| There is no **Delete…** for a backup. | Backups under **Made by Apple Devices or iTunes** can't be deleted in TextPort. TextPort only reads them. A backup that is still running has no **Delete…** either. |
| None of these match. | Email [support@textportapp.com](mailto:support@textportapp.com). Say which step you were on. Say what you saw. We usually reply within a day. |

## Questions

### Does this delete messages on my iPhone?

No. It deletes only the copy on this PC.

### Can I get a deleted backup back?

No. It does not go to the Recycle Bin.

### What if the backup is open?

TextPort closes it first.

### Why does it free less space than the backup's size?

Backups of one iPhone can share files. Shared files stay until the last backup that uses them is gone.

### I clicked Remove from list by mistake.

Click **Undo** on the **Removed from the list** notice. It shows for a few seconds.

## Next guides

- [How to change the backup folder or free up space on Windows](https://textport.com/guides/change-where-backups-are-saved-or-free-up-space-on-windows.md): New backups will save where you want, or your PC will have more free space.
- [How to find your iPhone backups on your PC](https://textport.com/guides/find-your-iphone-backups-on-your-pc.md): You will see the folder of an iPhone backup in File Explorer.

TextPort guide for Windows. Updated 2026-11-05. Web page: https://textport.com/guides/delete-old-backups-on-windows