unknown dot NET files...

[cavair]

I have five folders on my backup HDD with a long string of letters and numbers as file name.
They are about 4.6mb in size and appear to be something to do with dot NET looking at a bmp file - 2 folders from 2010 and 4 from July 2012.
There are 25 folders in each main folder, of 4 figure file names, and a few other files including exe file, and a Windows Installer file - The small folders have foreign language end user license rtf file along with a xml & dll file - see my screenshots!

What are/were these folders/files for and can i just delete them? i dont know if i have set a back up somehow or if they are important, but id like to free up the space and clear unwanted and not needed junk.

Please can someone give a simple explanation of what they are and if i can safely remove them.?
Thanks!

 

[mitchell65]

First off I would do a scan with my anti virus software and Malwarebytes. That's just a precaution as I think but am not sure that these folders and files have been left over after a Windows update. The updates create temporory files during the update and then they are usually deleted. I think these are ones left behind but lets see what better brains than mine have to say. Do the scans anyway!

 

[Layback Bear]

My Windows 7 has about the same folders your XP system has. They seam to be part of Net Framework. Because of that I'm leaving mine alone.

 

[mitchell65]

Cavair,
Forgive me for asking but if you have Windows XP installed as your systems specs indicates why are you asking questions on a Windows 7 Forum?

 

[cavair]

Im on WIN 7 as well, so forgot to say that, so maybe theyre a left over from XP?
Having said that ive had 7 since 2010.

 

[mitchell65]

Im on WIN 7 as well, so forgot to say that, so maybe theyre a left over from XP?
Having said that ive had 7 since 2010.

I doubt that as four of the folders are dated July 2012?
Could you update your system specs please to save future confusion!
BTW Did you run the scans?

 

[gigagiggles]

I have had those folders post-Windows Update. Removing them was difficult (time-wise) because of elevated rights of a few files in various folders. No harm encountered from their removal.

 

[cavair]

Havent had time to run the scans yet but will as soon as i can. i use Norton IS 2012 so pretty well protected.
Sorry had forgotten to change the spec.

Have had had win7 since april 2010 so cant see how the files are XP related.

The 2012 folders are dated 15/07 timed at 18.44, 2 @ 18.47 and then 18.49.

the 2010 ones are dated 02 Dec and 11 Dec. These are the only 5 folders.
Are they to do with dot NET?

 

[gigagiggles]

"The 2012 folders are dated 15/07 timed at 18.44, 2 @ 18.47 and then 18.49.

the 2010 ones are dated 02 Dec and 11 Dec. These are the only 5 folders.
Are they to do with dot NET?"

Look at your Windows Update history and/or Installed Updates and see if there are corresponding entries for those dates, as well as kb2160841 NDP-40 indicated by the snapshot.

My entries don't go that far back. The lowest kb is 23nnnnn.

Are your Updates non-automated? July 10th would be Patch Tuesday.