Deleting some files, are they save

[Tomha]

I am looking to clear up some files on my computer, not so much to save space, rather because I like my file systems to be nice and neat . Here are the files in question:

C:\AMD - This one appears to be a temporary file made when the AMD drivers install
C:\Crash - An empty file, doesn't seem to be of any importance?
C:\MSOCache - I understand this is for the repair function of office. I used a digital installer to install it, and I can always save its contents somewhere else, provided its safe?
C:\Intel - Contains a "Logs" file, with text documents such as "IntelAMT", "IntelGFX", IntelOCL", etc. Also contains "Extremegraphics/CUI/Resource" it is empty.


As well as a few users files,
C:\Users\Mcx1-P8Z77-V_DELUXE and C:\Users\Mcx1-P8Z77-V_DELUXE.P8Z77-V_DELUXE - They all seem virtually empty, containing folders like "Music" and "Pictures", empty, and folders like "desktop" which contain only shortcuts to programs which were installed for all users, obviously windows just placed the link in all "users/name/desktop" folders. Perhaps they were created by motherboard tools or something? Either way, I would like to delete them if at all possible.


I am not looking for space savings, and I am not too concerned about things like the MSOCache, which I would only use if I had a issue with office, I am sure they can always be transferred to another place, (?). So are all these files (for the most part) safe to remove or place somewhere else?

 

[gigagiggles]

It seems you've done your "homework" and I agree with your assessment.

I've read elsewhere in this forum one method is to move those folders and files to a specified location. After a week or two of normal use and no hiccups, then one may then remove them altogether.

I'm particularly leery about the two \users\ files. They seem out of place, alien and potentially dangerous.

Thanks to you, I just checked my \users\ folder and found a weird UpdatusUser folder whose timestamp is the same as Patch Tuesday this month.

 

[Tomha]

I think think I will move the files for another location for now, although that Intel folder does make me cautious.

As for the user files, they were created more or less when I performed my fresh install of windows...although perhaps they were actually created a few weeks after as I don't remember them being there originally. I shall move them to another location, see if anything happens.

Thanks for the input!

Another file has also caught my attention:
C:\Windows\Installer - Lose research indicates it may be a temporary file created when windows is installed? However I can't actually get any solid information on it, some say don't touch it, some say you need a Microsoft tool to safely remove it, its hard to say. If anyone has any input, its greatly appreciated.

 

[gigagiggles]

I consider C:\Windows folder structure as big Papa and big Mama's bedroom/Operating System's domain. Unless I'm troubleshooting, there is no reason to muck around in there. Since you said space savings is not an issue, then it must be knowledge for knowledge's sake. Image the drive and go for it.

 

[Tomha]

My experience with windows images is...sketchy. I have had many-a situation where the image just doesn't...take, if you will. I leave it for days and see no sign of progress. While I am all for knowledge for knowledge's sake, I think I will leave it this time to save me the potential trouble . If I re-install at any point, which I may be doing in the near future, I will be sure to test this, and report back.

 

[Duzzy]

If you have the original Office installer the deleting MSOCache will be ok, you can use the original installer to make changes or repairs.

In C:\Intel check the text doc's and if they look like their only log files I would also say they are safe to delete but maybe back them up for a couple of weeks till your sure of no problems.

C:\Windows\Installer is it a file or folder? If it's the folder I would not touch it as it's marked as Hidden and a Protected OS file/folder, also the files within are mark as Read Only. Although if someone has strong evidence that it's safe to delete the files and sub folders in it that would be good as mine takes up 9.8GB.

I don't own anything AMD so can't answer that one so I hope I helped a little.

Thanks to you, I just checked my \users\ folder and found a weird UpdatusUser folder whose timestamp is the same as Patch Tuesday this month.

I believe that is created by the nVidia Update software usally installed as part of the Graphics driver but maybe by chipset drivers as well.

 

[gigagiggles]

C:\Windows\Installer is it a file or folder? If it's the folder I would not touch it as it's marked as Hidden and a Protected OS file/folder, also the files within are mark as Read Only. Although if someone has strong evidence that it's safe to delete the files and sub folders in it that would be good as mine takes up 9.8GB.

Mine is only 1.42GB in size. Ten months since the last reinstall.

I believe that is created by the nVidia Update software usally installed as part of the Graphics driver but maybe by chipset drivers as well.

Thank you! The Windows Update was done later in the day and your comment refreshed my memory of the nVidia driver security update earlier.

 

[Duzzy]

Mine is only 1.42GB in size. Ten months since the last reinstall.

2yr install with several large programs. One msp file is 498MB, from what I can tell it's something to do with Office 2010. Next largest is 285 MB which is a hotfix for one of the large programs.

I really think a lot of the stuff could be deleted as most appear to be hotfixes and installers but I don't really want to mess anything up and I would guess that removing any of the hotfix ones would mean you would be unable to uninstall the hotfix/s which may cause problems with later updates.