Is it safe to delete C:windowsinstall on Windows 10?












1














Is it safe to delete C:windowsinstall on Windows 10?



installer










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  • 3




    No; Those files should not be deleted
    – Ramhound
    3 hours ago
















1














Is it safe to delete C:windowsinstall on Windows 10?



installer










share|improve this question




















  • 3




    No; Those files should not be deleted
    – Ramhound
    3 hours ago














1












1








1







Is it safe to delete C:windowsinstall on Windows 10?



installer










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Is it safe to delete C:windowsinstall on Windows 10?



installer







windows-10






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edited 41 mins ago









Pimp Juice IT

23.2k113969




23.2k113969










asked 3 hours ago









Christian BurgosChristian Burgos

1093




1093








  • 3




    No; Those files should not be deleted
    – Ramhound
    3 hours ago














  • 3




    No; Those files should not be deleted
    – Ramhound
    3 hours ago








3




3




No; Those files should not be deleted
– Ramhound
3 hours ago




No; Those files should not be deleted
– Ramhound
3 hours ago










2 Answers
2






active

oldest

votes


















3














According to Microsoft employee joscon in the Microsoft Technet post "Can you safely delete files in the %windir%Installer directory?", it is not safe to delete C:windowsinstall or any files within it, and the post explains why as well.



I've referenced and quoted the portions of the post that relate to your question and helped make it more clear and concise for the specific subject matter of your inquiry.




Can you safely delete files in the %windir%Installer directory?



The answer is flatly: "No".



Let's talk about why this is a bad idea:




  1. First, it is not supported. If you remove files from this directory
    and have issues, you may need to reinstall the application to get
    back to a good state.



  2. This particular directory's job is to act as a cache location for Windows installer based applications. It holds stripped down versions
    of the Windows installer data files. During application install,
    update of the application or application removal, this directory is
    used by the application to confirm the existence of previously
    installed items to determine the next steps the installer needs to
    take.




    • The files are different from machine to machine, so if you
      expect to delete the files in the directory and then copy them over
      from another machine, that would be incorrect. Removing items from
      here could cause you to have application crashes, or worse, require
      the re-installation and patching of the application.




The overall idea that you really should not remove items in the
Windows directory. We build and test our software based on the
existence of specific files and directories. When those files and
directories don't exist, bad things can and will happen. However, that
is a generalization that usually upsets many people so let's be more
specific.



The proper way to alleviate space pressure in this directory is to uninstall any unneeded applications.



source







share|improve this answer































    0














    The C:WindowsInstaller folder is where some but not all applications uninstall files and folders are stored.



    If you want to remove applications, use the Control Panel Programs and Features to uninstall them. It is also possible to run Disk Cleanup (cleanmgr.exe) in elevated mode to help free up space.






    share|improve this answer





















    • That is not the location OP is asking about.
      – music2myear
      19 mins ago











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    2 Answers
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    2 Answers
    2






    active

    oldest

    votes









    active

    oldest

    votes






    active

    oldest

    votes









    3














    According to Microsoft employee joscon in the Microsoft Technet post "Can you safely delete files in the %windir%Installer directory?", it is not safe to delete C:windowsinstall or any files within it, and the post explains why as well.



    I've referenced and quoted the portions of the post that relate to your question and helped make it more clear and concise for the specific subject matter of your inquiry.




    Can you safely delete files in the %windir%Installer directory?



    The answer is flatly: "No".



    Let's talk about why this is a bad idea:




    1. First, it is not supported. If you remove files from this directory
      and have issues, you may need to reinstall the application to get
      back to a good state.



    2. This particular directory's job is to act as a cache location for Windows installer based applications. It holds stripped down versions
      of the Windows installer data files. During application install,
      update of the application or application removal, this directory is
      used by the application to confirm the existence of previously
      installed items to determine the next steps the installer needs to
      take.




      • The files are different from machine to machine, so if you
        expect to delete the files in the directory and then copy them over
        from another machine, that would be incorrect. Removing items from
        here could cause you to have application crashes, or worse, require
        the re-installation and patching of the application.




    The overall idea that you really should not remove items in the
    Windows directory. We build and test our software based on the
    existence of specific files and directories. When those files and
    directories don't exist, bad things can and will happen. However, that
    is a generalization that usually upsets many people so let's be more
    specific.



    The proper way to alleviate space pressure in this directory is to uninstall any unneeded applications.



    source







    share|improve this answer




























      3














      According to Microsoft employee joscon in the Microsoft Technet post "Can you safely delete files in the %windir%Installer directory?", it is not safe to delete C:windowsinstall or any files within it, and the post explains why as well.



      I've referenced and quoted the portions of the post that relate to your question and helped make it more clear and concise for the specific subject matter of your inquiry.




      Can you safely delete files in the %windir%Installer directory?



      The answer is flatly: "No".



      Let's talk about why this is a bad idea:




      1. First, it is not supported. If you remove files from this directory
        and have issues, you may need to reinstall the application to get
        back to a good state.



      2. This particular directory's job is to act as a cache location for Windows installer based applications. It holds stripped down versions
        of the Windows installer data files. During application install,
        update of the application or application removal, this directory is
        used by the application to confirm the existence of previously
        installed items to determine the next steps the installer needs to
        take.




        • The files are different from machine to machine, so if you
          expect to delete the files in the directory and then copy them over
          from another machine, that would be incorrect. Removing items from
          here could cause you to have application crashes, or worse, require
          the re-installation and patching of the application.




      The overall idea that you really should not remove items in the
      Windows directory. We build and test our software based on the
      existence of specific files and directories. When those files and
      directories don't exist, bad things can and will happen. However, that
      is a generalization that usually upsets many people so let's be more
      specific.



      The proper way to alleviate space pressure in this directory is to uninstall any unneeded applications.



      source







      share|improve this answer


























        3












        3








        3






        According to Microsoft employee joscon in the Microsoft Technet post "Can you safely delete files in the %windir%Installer directory?", it is not safe to delete C:windowsinstall or any files within it, and the post explains why as well.



        I've referenced and quoted the portions of the post that relate to your question and helped make it more clear and concise for the specific subject matter of your inquiry.




        Can you safely delete files in the %windir%Installer directory?



        The answer is flatly: "No".



        Let's talk about why this is a bad idea:




        1. First, it is not supported. If you remove files from this directory
          and have issues, you may need to reinstall the application to get
          back to a good state.



        2. This particular directory's job is to act as a cache location for Windows installer based applications. It holds stripped down versions
          of the Windows installer data files. During application install,
          update of the application or application removal, this directory is
          used by the application to confirm the existence of previously
          installed items to determine the next steps the installer needs to
          take.




          • The files are different from machine to machine, so if you
            expect to delete the files in the directory and then copy them over
            from another machine, that would be incorrect. Removing items from
            here could cause you to have application crashes, or worse, require
            the re-installation and patching of the application.




        The overall idea that you really should not remove items in the
        Windows directory. We build and test our software based on the
        existence of specific files and directories. When those files and
        directories don't exist, bad things can and will happen. However, that
        is a generalization that usually upsets many people so let's be more
        specific.



        The proper way to alleviate space pressure in this directory is to uninstall any unneeded applications.



        source







        share|improve this answer














        According to Microsoft employee joscon in the Microsoft Technet post "Can you safely delete files in the %windir%Installer directory?", it is not safe to delete C:windowsinstall or any files within it, and the post explains why as well.



        I've referenced and quoted the portions of the post that relate to your question and helped make it more clear and concise for the specific subject matter of your inquiry.




        Can you safely delete files in the %windir%Installer directory?



        The answer is flatly: "No".



        Let's talk about why this is a bad idea:




        1. First, it is not supported. If you remove files from this directory
          and have issues, you may need to reinstall the application to get
          back to a good state.



        2. This particular directory's job is to act as a cache location for Windows installer based applications. It holds stripped down versions
          of the Windows installer data files. During application install,
          update of the application or application removal, this directory is
          used by the application to confirm the existence of previously
          installed items to determine the next steps the installer needs to
          take.




          • The files are different from machine to machine, so if you
            expect to delete the files in the directory and then copy them over
            from another machine, that would be incorrect. Removing items from
            here could cause you to have application crashes, or worse, require
            the re-installation and patching of the application.




        The overall idea that you really should not remove items in the
        Windows directory. We build and test our software based on the
        existence of specific files and directories. When those files and
        directories don't exist, bad things can and will happen. However, that
        is a generalization that usually upsets many people so let's be more
        specific.



        The proper way to alleviate space pressure in this directory is to uninstall any unneeded applications.



        source








        share|improve this answer














        share|improve this answer



        share|improve this answer








        edited 38 mins ago

























        answered 48 mins ago









        Pimp Juice ITPimp Juice IT

        23.2k113969




        23.2k113969

























            0














            The C:WindowsInstaller folder is where some but not all applications uninstall files and folders are stored.



            If you want to remove applications, use the Control Panel Programs and Features to uninstall them. It is also possible to run Disk Cleanup (cleanmgr.exe) in elevated mode to help free up space.






            share|improve this answer





















            • That is not the location OP is asking about.
              – music2myear
              19 mins ago
















            0














            The C:WindowsInstaller folder is where some but not all applications uninstall files and folders are stored.



            If you want to remove applications, use the Control Panel Programs and Features to uninstall them. It is also possible to run Disk Cleanup (cleanmgr.exe) in elevated mode to help free up space.






            share|improve this answer





















            • That is not the location OP is asking about.
              – music2myear
              19 mins ago














            0












            0








            0






            The C:WindowsInstaller folder is where some but not all applications uninstall files and folders are stored.



            If you want to remove applications, use the Control Panel Programs and Features to uninstall them. It is also possible to run Disk Cleanup (cleanmgr.exe) in elevated mode to help free up space.






            share|improve this answer












            The C:WindowsInstaller folder is where some but not all applications uninstall files and folders are stored.



            If you want to remove applications, use the Control Panel Programs and Features to uninstall them. It is also possible to run Disk Cleanup (cleanmgr.exe) in elevated mode to help free up space.







            share|improve this answer












            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer










            answered 1 hour ago









            qi SONGqi SONG

            592




            592












            • That is not the location OP is asking about.
              – music2myear
              19 mins ago


















            • That is not the location OP is asking about.
              – music2myear
              19 mins ago
















            That is not the location OP is asking about.
            – music2myear
            19 mins ago




            That is not the location OP is asking about.
            – music2myear
            19 mins ago


















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