TIP for VISTA Users to save diskspace!

*** You can safely delete the contents of the following folder:

C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\

Windows will not allow you to delete ReportingEvents.log and EventCache as they are in use, but you can delete everything else in there safely. I have been using Vista for 2 months now and not a single problem.


Basically you get temporarily downloaded **** from the internet in there. Like the windows updates for example, huge amount of diskspace.

After Vista install the updates, it forgets to clean up the installation directories.


*** Delete the hidden folder in C:\MSOCache , it is the temp folder which office uses when installing but never deletes it. Totally safe to delete. 500 MB or so in there.

make sure you enable hidden folders to be able to see it


*** and stop the Machine Debug Console service from the Services window in control panel, after installing Office it slows down your computer like hell and has no relevant use! It's for programmers to debug programs.

 

The SoftwareDistribution folder on my notebook is only 20mb in size and I have never deleted anything from in there. So saving 20mb is no big deal to me.

 

Why do you want to run into trouble in the future by doing this? Anything in the windows folder is important.

 

Can anyone confirm this to be safe? I checked and I have nearly 800 megs of stuff in it.

 

Dude, I just told you that I have been running it for 2 months.


Read this >>> http://www.mcse.ms/message2724185.html


Also, google it, you will see that it is safe to delete.

 

Yes, it is safe to delete stuff from inside that folder. But I only delete from the Download folder inside it.

 

well i've tried deleting everything with 0 problemds experienced

 

The message you referred to is about Windows 2003 Server not Vista. Things may (note I said MAY) be very different under Vista. Also, just because you have not experienced any issues does not necessarily make it safe. You might experience a problem if you need to uninstall something latter, for example.

I have no definitive answer for this, but until one is found, I would suggest copying the contents of the folder to a CD or DVD and then deleting it. That covers you if there IS a problem latter, you can copy stuff right back where it was. Better to be safe than very sorry latter.

Gary

 

well that's an option. copy the contents to a CD so u can revert back if needed.

 

I have 1.54 GB in there.

 

50 MB for me. I'll leave it alone.

 

20MB for me.

 

175 MB for me...

so doesnt matter much

 

mine is only 27mb, too. hm...

 

strange, after windows updates mine was 465 MB

 

Just 20 mb. I will leave it alone.

 

Ya and SP1 jams another 1 GB in there.

 

I just finished installing SP1 and now the folder has gone from 20mb to 213mb but I will leave it alone.

 

I wish only 213 MB, like I said earlier I have 1.54 GB in there.

 

Another tip,,u can delete this folder too

C:\MSOCache\

its created when installing office or MS product..

 

OH YES I totally forgot about that!!! and stop the Machine Debug Console after installing Office it slows down your computer like hell and has no relevant use! It's for programmers to debug programs.

 

Nice tip on the MSOCache. Just took back 500mb of disk space that I didn't even know I was missing.

 

I don't know cuz I don't have Vista yet... but any possibility these folders can get cleaned out just using CCleaner?

 

NO, CCleaner doesn't even clean the TEMP folder of Vista right! I always find it untouched even when I clean it with CCleaner, it's always full of temp files.

BTW, the MSO Cache folder tip is not strictly for Vista, whenever you install Office you will find that folder. Regardless of what operating system you are using.

So go check, make sure you enable hidden folders to be able to see it.

 

Cool thanks for replying. Just to FYI I checked and I do not have a C:\MSO Cache folder. I installed Office 2003 about a year ago on XP Home SP2. I can't say I ever remember deleting MSO Cache but I guess I did... somehow?

 

Well if you didn't find it well and good

But always good to check

 

How to disable / stop Machine Debug Console?

^^

 

No, do not delete that! That folder is needed every time there is an update to MS office.

Please people, unless you really have ZERO disk space and need a tone of it, stop deleting these things and just let the OS do it's thing.

 

You CAN delete it, if space is that important, but there is a good reason to leave it if space is not an issue for you.

Here is an article from Microsoft on why it exists and how to remove it. Local Install Source (Msocache)

And then there is this one: FAQ about the Local Install Source
that article erroneously says the ONLY way to remove the MSO cache is via some special tool. But there is an option in Disk Cleanup that will work just fine.

Using disk cleanup to remove it also sets the registry entries so that Microsoft Office knows that it will need to ask for the CD instead of looking to the MSOCache should it need some additional functionality that was not initially installed. That includes things like file conversion filters, spell check dictionaries etc.

I am relatively certain that it's no big deal if you DO just manually remove it. MS Office will realize it is gone and prompt for its location, at which time you can then point it to the original install CD. But it is just as easy, and safer, to use Disk Cleanup for this.

Now for any of you who had Office pre-installed and do not have any sort of CD media, you MIGHT want to leave it alone.

Gary

 

I don't think that's true. Look at the first article I referenced in the message above. And besides that if this were true, why would there be an option in Disk Cleanup for this. Nope, this one is pretty harmless. But I do agree with you, that unless you really NEED the space why bother. More than once over the past five or six years I had to use this MSO cache to "repair" my Office instance. It was nice to not have to run back to my office to get the CD to do that, since is was 1500 miles away!!

Part of my commercial application manipulates VISIO to create swimlane diagrams. I had to have multiple versions of Visio installed so I could be sure my app worked with each version. When switching between versions, Visio always required the use of the MSOCACHE or an install CD.

Gary

 

Dude I have removed that folder and have update office many times including the SP1 update for office with zero issues.

Even if you have alot of space, it makes no sense keeping it.,

 

click START, RUN, type SERVICES.MSC then hit Enter.

Scroll down till you see the Machin Debug Service

Double click on it.

Then set it to DISABLED

Then restart

 

It is NOT required to apply updates or service packs. It is required if you need to change any of the installed Office options. Or you need to dig out the original install CD's.

It is also required if Office thinks it is in need of "repair". A rarity, but it does happen. Again, if you have the install CD, it's no issue, if not then DO NOT DELETE THESE FILES!

Gary

 

Dude cmooooon.

1) If you are installing Office 99% means you have the CD if needed again!

2) How often do people install Office then add/remove components? I personally install Word, Excel, Power Point and that's it. Has been this way since years. Most people know what they need/don't need and what to install. Not like they would be changing their minds everyday.

3) You said repair office? what repair? how many times did you repair your office installation honestly?

 

Dude, you have no concept of what "anecdotal" means. And also that anecdotal evidence means nothing. It does not matter if you "never had a problem" with something, all that matters is how things work and what their purpose is. That's how people get into trouble and wind up with non-working systems -- because they assumed something would not cause a problem.. until it did. It's even worse that you are giving people advice and telling them to do things based on your flawed "evidence".

I've never had a need for a seat belt, so I should just stop using it, right? Oh, until that one time when I go flying through the windshield, then I guess I'll have a different opinion.

 

Don't believe me! Go on wasting ur disk space

bye


PS: How hard is it to format or reinstall something? heh (not that u would need to anywaywith my professional advice)

 

Point #1, yes for damn near everyone. The point I made was if you DON'T have the CD available, leave the MSO Cache.

Point #2, when I install Office I ALWAYS do a custom install and pick and choose the components (components are NOT the applications they are all the additional things besides the apps: templates, Clip art, Excel formula analyzer etc.) There is a lot of wasted space if you let Office install everything it thinks you need. Invariably, I miss something that days, weeks or months latter I realize I need. If the MSOCache is intact I can install that in an instant.

Point #3, in 10 years about three or four times. Twice while at a clients site hundreds of miles away from my Office Install CD. Saved my ass both times.

Look, I am not arguing that you can't remove the MSO Cache. I am only trying to balance this suggestion out with information on what the possible downside might be. None of the downsides are show stoppers (provided you have the CD). But folks should know what the are, so they can weigh the benefits of gaining 800 mb of disk space. For me, I will gladly give up 1 gig of hard drive space so I know the next time I happen to need to do an Office Repair and a client is staring back at me I don't have to say, sorry, I have to fly home now and get my Office Install CD.

Gary

 

Yes, it all goes back to "unless you need the disk space, let the system use it for something useful. If it's just sitting there empty, it's wasted money."

 

Abso-freakin-loutely, my friend.

Gary

 

how do you enable the viewing of hidden files and folders in vista ? i cant seem to be able to find it !! LOL

also thanks for the tip about the software distribution folder...i have a whopping 12.5 gig in there !!!

 

When in explorer, press "alt", then select tools>folder options>view>show hidden files and folders

 

Proof from Microsoft themselves that it's ok to delete the SoftwareDistribution folder:

You receive a "0x80070002" or "0x80070003" error code after you download an update from Windows Update, from Microsoft Update, or from Windows Server Update Services

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/910336

 

I have 600 Mb there
But I usually run the "Clean up" utility for HDD, it saves a lot of space.

 

just a FYI,

I just formatted, did not run Windows Update, installed Service Pack 1 right away. My SoftwareDistribution Folder was only 3.98 MB!!!

This proves it is indeed the folder used by Windows Update to temporarily store the setup files for the updates! and this folder is NOT cleaned by CCleaner!

 

Again, just so folks understand the side effects of this:

I wonder why they suggested renaming the directory instead of deleting it? That is bizarre, given the fact that they never said anything about that renamed directory? What was their point of renaming it???? Very weird.

Gary

 

And they never said to rename it back when done! This means it's not an importnt folder to start with!

Tell me something, how come when I installed a clan copy of Vista, then applied SP1 immediately, my SoftwareDistribution folder was only 3 MB? it's because all those updae temp files were not downloaded into it!! meaning that it is indeed useless!

I couldn't careless to view my update history anyway! When did you install an update from Microsoft and then uninstall it coz it broke ur computer?: NEVER

 

Hold on a sec, I am TRYING to agree with you. I brought up the point about them not saying to rename it back to bolster your argument that the directory has virtually no use.

And yes your finding that the size was unaffect by SP1 does lend more credence that the folder is of little importance.

RE: you last statement. I have only uninstalled one update in several years. However I have on multiple occasions, looked at the list of applied updates to be sure I had a specific one installed. I did so after investigating some issue and found it was supposed to be resolved by a certain update.

I also am curious if this would affect uninstalling a beta version of SP1 when folks are ready to install the real deal. That COULD be a real show stopper! Do me a favor, rename the folder. Then go to Control Panel | Programs and Features and the in the left pane click on view installed updates. Tell me if you see the SP1 listed. If you do we are good to go. If not then anyone who has installed the SP1 beta and deletes the contents of this folder is going to be REALLY screwed. They will have no way to uninstall the beta.

Gary

 

umm, I can......

 

bump to the top

 

I deleted C:\MSOCache and some disaster happened....
now everytime I open office, it asks me to enter the office disc for setup,
I forgot where I put that disc, so I don't now what I should I do.
Now it says "ofice is not installed on this user, please run office setup."
oh crap...
I can't use office until I found out where I put my install disc.