What are These Windows Patch Files?

I was scanning my windows drive to see if I could get rid of unused files and I came across a very large folder (around 11gb) called c:/windows/installer and it contains many subfolders with around 3,000 files total. They are Windows Installer Package or Windows Installer Patch types. Are they legit? Can I delete them?

Hi Bruce,
no such file on my system.

Whats the complete path.
Largest file on your comp should be
c > windows > winsxs

mines 8GB.

Roy

The complete path according to CCleaner and searching windows explorer is C:\Windows\Installer\. This folder contains "windows installer package" and "windows installer patch" types of files with seemingly random names. The size of the folder is just under 12gb.

I don't know if these are leftover from my windows install or windows updates and if I should get rid of them.

Ok, I read through that and decided to try it. The patch cleaner found 5gb in that folder that was orphaned, and I moved them to an external drive just in case. So it did free up some space!