What's the C:\I386 folder for?

What and why is this here in C:\I386 , it has alot of files , even some of them look like they are duplicates of files in C:\WINDOWS The size > 808 MB . Can I get rid of them? Can I delete the file?
Thanks!!

 

Hello CoolFinalFan,

The I386 is the cached windows files - leave alone.

They are stored copies of system files that can be used to restore original file in case of a corrupted system file.

Regards - Charles

 

CoolFinalFan make a copy of these files on a CD - these may be required in the future if you corrupt windows.

 

CoolFinalFan--It depends on what CD you got with your PC and how the PC maker installed Windows. Some PC makers give you a full install CD of Win XP. Others give you only a Restore version. In the latter case, however, the PC maker has probably put the XP files on your hard drive and that is what you see in the I386 folder. So if you need to restore only a file or two you can access it in I386.

http://www.helpwithwindows.com/WindowsXP/howto-24.html

Be aware that the version of many files in I386 are the original installation files, so if Windows Update, for example, has downloaded newer versions they will not be in I386, but rather in System32 or DLLCache. But the older versions will get you going again. However, as mentioned, you definitely do not want to delete the I386 folder.

 

It’s safe to remove the i386 folder from inside XP – I always get rid of it. If it’s needed and can’t be found you will get a prompt to insert the XP CD. If your version of XP has SP2 already on the CD then everything in the i386 folder is on the CD. If your CD is pre service pack and you have since installed SP1 or 2, then you will need to keep a copy of your current i386 folder so you can browse to it from the prompt to insert the XP CD.

The i386 folder is only really kept on the hard drive for convenience - to save you having to insert the XP CD. As well as backups of system files it also holds a large store of hardware drivers for the day you plug something new into the computer.

 

McTavish is right but so is Jim. You can delete them but if you don't have a regular windows CD, I'd keep them. The day may come when you have a problem and you may need them to fix it. If you delete them and all you have is a restore CD, you'll be forced format and start from scratch again, or at the very least, if you're lucky and the restore CD permits it, re-install Windows.

Edit:
I suppose another option would be to burn the folder to a cd and if you ever had to do something that required them you could copy them back to the same location they were originally in or if you're given the option, show it the folder on the cd for the location of the files. If you have plenty of space on your hard drive though, why not keep them?