shirlin
asked on
"C:\Windows\Installer\" - What's in here?
Hi,
I'm seeking to remove some unnecessary files from my computer as my aging drive is getting a little choked. I found that there is 113MB of files of the types *.msi and *.msp files for programs/patches I'm pretty sure I've already installed and/or uninstalled. Are these files necessary (maybe for "detect and repair" functions for office or adobe?) or can they be removed? The files are only numbered not named, but the descriptions yield a bit more.
Can someone tell me just what these might be used for how necessary these files are please. And also what the folders with generated names "{*}" are and if they are necessary as well.
Thankyou
I'm seeking to remove some unnecessary files from my computer as my aging drive is getting a little choked. I found that there is 113MB of files of the types *.msi and *.msp files for programs/patches I'm pretty sure I've already installed and/or uninstalled. Are these files necessary (maybe for "detect and repair" functions for office or adobe?) or can they be removed? The files are only numbered not named, but the descriptions yield a bit more.
Can someone tell me just what these might be used for how necessary these files are please. And also what the folders with generated names "{*}" are and if they are necessary as well.
Thankyou
ASKER
Thanks Evarest,
I've got a pretty good handle on the basics though. I'm really most inerested in the particular folder I mentioned.
Shirlin
I've got a pretty good handle on the basics though. I'm really most inerested in the particular folder I mentioned.
Shirlin
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ASKER
Hi again,
apparently, *.msi = "Windows Installer Package"
and *.msp = "Windows Installer Patch"
And that's a good point about uninstallation, thanks.
apparently, *.msi = "Windows Installer Package"
and *.msp = "Windows Installer Patch"
And that's a good point about uninstallation, thanks.
I, too, am having this problem on a Windows2003 server where WSUS is creatin duplicates of updates when they fail to install. Other discussions Ihave read about his topic (http://forums.microsoft.com/TechNet/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=2228906&SiteID=17) say that Microsoft's MSI Installer Tool has caused problems, but the MSIZAP.exe tool works well. Available in the SDK for Windows Installer Developers (http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa370523.aspx)
-GPL
-GPL
Search your drive for *.~* *.tmp *.bak *.old
These files can be deleted.
Go to C:\Documents and Settings\[Username]\Temp
Delete all in this folder.
Clean up your trash can.
In IExplorer take Tools|Internet Options... and click Delete Files. Click on Settings and set the slider to a lower value.
Go to Start|Programs|Accessories
(PS.: you're now deleting restore files, so a restoration isn't possible until you turn it back on!)
Now do a search for old files, and see what else you can miss...
Good luck!
Evarest