Windows 7: What is this directory?

markg2 · 27 Feb 2011

The following directory has zero files. What is it?

C:\2f04dd45bebca7274eda34cc24490614

Thanks,

Mark

ignatzatsonic · 27 Feb 2011

I don't have it.

That long random name makes it look like a backup or temp file used at one time by a Windows update, upgrade, or installation.

Digerati · 28 Feb 2011

What is the timestamp on it?

If unsure if it is okay to delete a filename or folder, I simply rename it by adding -delete-2-28-2011 to the end (obviously using today's date to illustrate). If something breaks, I just remove the end and don't have to remember the original name. If nothing breaks, then next time you run into it, you can look at the date, ensure in your head everything works fine, then delete it.

Manigue · 28 Feb 2011

Quote: Originally Posted by markg2

The following directory has zero files. What is it?

C:\2f04dd45bebca7274eda34cc24490614

Thanks,

Mark

Look inside the folder and see if you have an "spinstall.exe" file. I got one of those every day I attempted to install SP1. After succeeding, I deleted them and they are not back. If empty, I read it was created by Microsoft's "Malicious Software Removal Tool" update. I also deleted them on my machine without any consequence.

You can also follow Digerati's suggestion.

Next time you update the MSRT, monitor your directory tree before and after.

FliGi7 · 28 Feb 2011

MS Office creates directories like that as well to cache installation files.

DeaconFrost · 28 Feb 2011

Quote: Originally Posted by FliGi7

MS Office creates directories like that as well to cache installation files.

Unless something changed in Office 2010, those directories were always labeled as MSOCACHE.

niemiro · 28 Feb 2011

These hexadecimal directories are created by the Windows Installer, including Windows Update. They are only temporary directories, and should, in theory at least, be safe to delete in every situation.

FliGi7 · 28 Feb 2011

Quote: Originally Posted by DeaconFrost

Quote: Originally Posted by FliGi7

MS Office creates directories like that as well to cache installation files.

Unless something changed in Office 2010, those directories were always labeled as MSOCACHE.

I've had them created on external drives and contained MS Office files.

DeaconFrost · 28 Feb 2011

That would probably be the temp directories created during an install, that should have been removed automatically shortly thereafter. Either way, those are safe to delete. The MSOCACHE directories could cause issues down the road if they are simply deleted.

FliGi7 · 28 Feb 2011

Yea, they're temp directories for cached installation files as I said in my first post. They were of no use.

Windows 7: What is this directory?

What is this directory? problems?