What can I delete?

I was under the impression that all the important Windows files were set to hidden by default but I've got like 10gb worth on my computer. Can any of them be deleted?

 

I wouldn't do that.

 

On a question like that - no, no, no.

Also:
Windows tends to work best (especially Vista, XP, not quite so) when its left alone.
Changing files is pretty much something you don't nomally do - and as you obviously don't know what each file does, I recommend you leave it as it is.

 

That is what I figured but though it was worth a shot. Disk cleanup got rid of 14gb of the old install files haha.

 

That sounds good

A little word of warning though - generally be wary with non Microsoft disk cleaners.

CCleaner is one of the own good ones.

I have used Wise Cleaner too - but I've grown wary of it...

 

You can safely delete the following:

1) C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download (delete whatever is in that folder as they are temporary windows update files that have already been installed and just stay there you can safely delete it but don't delete the folder itself, just what's in it.

2) c:\MSOCACHE (delete the whole thing, this is temporary folder MS Office uses while installing Office)

3) c:\Users\yourusername\local settings\temp (delete all files there)

 

No, it's not a "temporary folder", MaXimus. Do some research, will you?!

 

You can delete all the folders begining with prn in \Windows\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository Saves about 600-800MB.

 

I have been deleting it since 4 years and never had a single problem. dude its just the temp folder for the Office installation, Office does not place temp files in the default temp folder but creates its own. go figure.

 

what does that actually contain?

 

1) " I have been doing (Insert something here) for the last X years and I've had no problems with it." =\= It'll work for everyone, or that it is right thing to do.

2) -

I'll go figure when you go learn to read!

 

Yeah, What does it contain ?

 

I have successfully installed Office SP2 even after deleting the MSOCACHE folder!

and, I never do change the toptions of my installation, I and most people know what features they will be using, if in any case one does decide to add another feature, how difficult is it to fetch the disc? heh

 

I recommend not deleting any hidden file.
My sister got curious and started deleting random files before. She decided to delete some of the hidden files because she thought they were "hiding viruses".
We just got a different computer and let her destroy the other one. I still don't think she figured it out yet.

 

Can someone please answer this question

This folder is hogging 1.4gb of my precious hard drive

Want to know if its safe to delete and what these files are

 

Its possibly drivers for hardware natively supported by windows - at least the name would suggest that.


I'd reccoment you leave it.

 

But then again, you find Windows XP way, way, way, way better than Windows Vista, so I know whether or not to listen to you.

 

Most people? How could you possibly know what most people do?

We covered this whole MSOCache issue months ago. As long as the disc is available it is safe to get rid of MSOCache. But deleting it directly is not the right way. If you just delete the directory, the registry for MS Office will still point to the MSOCache as a source for files needed during the operations Silas detailed. This can cause a real hassle if you need to do one of those operations. If you want to recover the space, use the Disk Cleanup option in the properties window of the C: drive. In the window that brings up, select the "Office Setup Files" option. This deletes the MSOCache and updates the registry.

If I remember correctly from this conversation months back, you said you always used the complete install option when installing Office. This would explain why you were able to install the service pack without an MSOCache or install disk.

Gary

 

True, I use complete install that is why I never was prompted for any disc in the future, everyone should to the same.

 

EVERYONE? Once again you know what EVERYONE should do? Thanks but no thanks. I have no need or desire to do a complete install. There are features and functions I have no need for. So I (and many other folks) use the custom install.

However as I said in my previous reply, this does not prevent me from removing the MSOCache. But, I would NEVER delete the folder manually, I would use the Disk Cleanup option mentioned before. That way Office will properly know to ask for the disk instead of looking for MSOCache if needed.

Gary

 

Do not simply adjust or delete files from your C:/Windows/
As you should know that, it is your system main boot.
You may destroy your MBR sometime if you delete the files randomly.
However, you can try but do follow the instruction provided.

Just in case,
The vista tweak(modifying regedit in order to make vista faster n smoother) is not very convenient and sometime screwed your system up.
I tried the vista tweak, I really regret doing it. Booting error and shutdown errors were what I rewarded.
Waste my time on re-installing my windows again.

 

Of course - everybody should instal junk he orshe doesn't need.

OR as Gary has put it - there are functions you have no intention of using and hence you do not want to instal.

One example for me would be OneNote - I have absolutely no use for it - I make my notes on paper.

 

how safe is it to delete hibernation files..(my disk cleanup shows it occupying some3-4 gbs..)

i use CC cleaner and MS disk clean up ..n i keep wonder what ,which,from where (but why) to delete from my c-drive..

does free space in C-drive help running windows faster.. as much space,..way faster kinda thing..??

 

If you use the built in Microsoft DiscCleaner its no problem - they'll be rewritten the next time you hibernate.

Add-on.

Free space does not automatically magically accelerate Windows.

 

Built in MS DiskCleaner - you mean the one which everybody(?) would be having in their windows..right..?? then yup..i have it.. thanks..first thing first today is grabbing few more GB of space

thanks

 

That's the one.

But as I said, these files will be rewritten the next time you hibernate.

 

If you don't want to use the hibernation feature ever, then you can delete the hibernation file. Otherwise leave it.

 

Why ever? - It'll be rewritten the next time you hibernate.

Its not stopping Windows to write it to the HDD again.

 

If you disable hibernation, it should delete the file. Don't delete it manually.

 

Exactly. There's no point to deleting it if it'll be rewritten. And you can't use the space anyway because you need to reserve the space in case you want to hibernate. And the best/easiest way to preserve the space to make sure it's there when you want to hibernate is to just leave the file alone.

 

I don't agree to 100% with that statement - if you needed the space for a temp file you can use it, but I have to agree that you cannot use it permanently.

 

Yeah, ok, it makes some sense if you need a little more space temporarily, and you free it up again before the next time you hibernate.

 

The directories containing prn = por... j/k. they are printer drivers duh!
Printer drivers for hundreds of printers you own obviously, if you delete them your printers will no longer function!

Haha lighten up people, you should always make sure to backup b4 you try things you're not sure of.
But I can say I delete these directories on my computers without any problems. The internet has driver repositories so its kinda pointless having then on HDD after the OS has been installed.

 

No, its not pointless, simply because you haven't got an internet connection whereever you go.

And if you want to joke around - please do so in off topic.

 

It is, as we're on a NOTEBOOK FORUM. imagine realising that you're on the go and someone gives you, say, a visio file. you could simply go to your programs, change office and say "yes" to visio. some minutes later, you can watch/edit the file.

even more so for the ones who don't even have a cd drive (which are more and more).

in general, i don't suggest to delete any of those.

 

problem is, you don't notice that you messed up till months / years later when you're at a friends house and just want to quickly print that piece of work out, notising "oh crap, it doesn't know the printer". and the friend doesn't actually have a driver cd at hand, as he never needed one. now if he has the same app, too, and you can send him the file, fine. else it starts to be a hazzle (print to pdf and give him that, or let him connect to the printer and "share" it, or what ever..).

jup, the tiny things of life that can be such a hazzle. i'm happy microsoft pre-solved them for me.

 

Just a clarification note, you will not affect the MBR by deleting files. The master boot record is NOT a in the file system and therefore can not be affected by any file deletion. I agree with the rest of your comment.

Gary

 

Because if you attempt to hibernate and there is insufficent space Windows will most likely crash.

Gary

 

The OP ask for things to be deleted, theres not many options but there are some, I don't believe Microsoft has any obligation to look after your HD space, each person can decide for themselves, If you expect someone to look after your HD space for you then you obviously don't care about it and if you don't care about it then why should Microsoft. Don't tell others what can or can't be deleted if you've not tried it yourself.

I am only presenting information the OP ask for and I've presented the risks involved. You'd have to be stupid if you didn't consider the risks before you did them.