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deleting files in downloaded installations?

Discussion in 'Windows XP' started by savagcl, 2006/04/23.

  1. 2006/04/23
    savagcl Lifetime Subscription

    savagcl Geek Member Thread Starter

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    WinXP, Home, SP2.

    Wondering about 2 windows folders -
    1. Downloaded Installations
    2. Downloaded Program files

    Is it safe to delete the sub-folders in these 2 folders?
    In the first one, most are .msi files, most i dont even have anymore.
    In the second one, they are mostly ActiveX Controls. For example, Java
    Runtime Environment appears as 5 different folders....

    And 1 more folder - $hf_mig$. Can these files be deleted?

    I ask because Drive "C" is getting low on free space so i'm trying to
    shift things around (or delete them) rather than do a re-partition.

    thanks,
    savagcl
     
  2. 2006/04/23
    BillyBob Lifetime Subscription

    BillyBob Inactive

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    savagcl

    I fully understand your problem.

    This is exactly why YEARS ago I set things up so the downloaded stuff goes to a folder on H: drive.

    Not only does it save space on the C: drive but it also helps to preverve downloaded stuff.

    In fact I have a special Download folder on the H: drive.

    And when I do download something new I do my best to download it to something such as H:\Download\name refering to the program.

    IE: H:\Download\Cribbage. Or as I have now H:\Download\Cribbage\Newer Cribbage.

    What you could do if you have room is to move these two folders to another drive(partition ) If they only contain the downloaded files this should not create a problem.

    This is one place that I really appreciate the Program PowerDesk by VCOM. It is just great to setup two different Windows and drag-n-drop/move stuff around. I also use PowerDesk to set up the new folders before downloading.

    BillyBob
     

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  4. 2006/04/23
    Zander

    Zander Geek Member Alumni

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    You can delete the contents of both folders. Of course, if you delete those in the downloaded program files folder and you run across something on the web that requires one of the active x files you'll have to redownload it. No biggy there though. Deleting the java ones will break your java though (I believe). Worst case senario there would once again be that you'd have to download and reinstall it.

    BillyBob
    I don't think you can move those folders. They are system folders and my guess is that you'd have to edit the registry to move them. Where in the registry that would be at I have no idea. Have a look in Windows explorer. You'll see that you have them too.;)
     
  5. 2006/04/23
    savagcl Lifetime Subscription

    savagcl Geek Member Thread Starter

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    BillyBob,

    Thanks. I'll try moving them to another drive.

    I do have a download folder on the "D" drive. Thats just for the download,
    the installs, i kinda leave as the default until i decide if i want to keep it or
    not.

    I try to follow:
    C - windows, Pgm files and a few exceptions.
    D - downloads, utilities, personal stuff, etc.
    E - Music and supporting files only.
    F - Games only.
    G - Original install files (Zips), Briefcase, Tips/Hints, CABS, etc

    works pretty good for me. I like to do a lot of experimenting with new
    software so drive C does have a lot of turmoil. Will have to low-key
    until i get some space (more) available.

    Thanks again,
    savagcl
     
  6. 2006/04/23
    BillyBob Lifetime Subscription

    BillyBob Inactive

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    Zander my Friend you are quite right. The two folders concerned to not appear to be movable.

    Actuall This is the first that I realy have paid any attention to them. So I guess that they are best left alone.

    Also I was ( imporperly maybe ) thinking of other downloaded files.

    BillyBob
     
  7. 2006/04/23
    BillyBob Lifetime Subscription

    BillyBob Inactive

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    savagcl

    Please be carefull with those two folders.

    I just took a peak at them and they are not what I was thinking about in reference to Downloads.

    BillyBob
     
  8. 2006/04/23
    savagcl Lifetime Subscription

    savagcl Geek Member Thread Starter

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    Hummm, I'll leave them alone until i do more researching.

    I do have one more that i though i had finally gotten rid of once and for
    all. I uninstalled Symantec a long time ago but.......
    Its windows\system32\config\systemprofile\Application Data\Symantec
    This is an empty folder. There is nothing in it at all but when
    i removed it from the registry, I couldnt get windows to boot.
    The error was system config was damaged (good thing i have Acronis,
    12 minutes and i was back online).

    How about: deleting this empty folder first then remove it from the reg?
    Will windows still see the system config as damaged?

    Thoughts, ideas???

    Thanks, Guys,
    savagcl
     
  9. 2006/04/23
    savagcl Lifetime Subscription

    savagcl Geek Member Thread Starter

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    Part way home. I managed to delete these:
    DONE unk - orion studios http://www.orionstudios.com/
    DONE unk - easydvd http://www.easy-dvd-player.com/
    DONE unk - mediamonkey http://www.mediamonkey.com/
    DONE bigfix - bigfix C:\windows http://www.georgedillon.com/web/freeware/bigfix.shtml
    DONE esellerate - affliates SPYWARE
    DONE e-merge - sfx-factory http://www.winace.com/sfxfact.html
    DONE sonic - backup mypc
    DONE particleG - registerycheckup http://www.particleg.com/
    DONE quinnware - quintessential player multimedia app
    DONE intermute - cwshredder Cool Web Search Spyware Remover
    and have a good backup of drive C.

    Still researching these:
    unk - msn music assistant http://music.msn.com/help/requirements.aspx
    unk - sampleview probably a java class used for one of above multimedia apps
    america online - AOL Instant Messanger
    cygnus solutions - cygwin http://www.cygwin.com/
    gateway - gwcares http://support.gateway.com/s/issues/2-2062212948.shtml
    giantcompany - antispyware Now is MS Anti Spyware
    mediascience - sonique multimedia app
    metastream - metastream3 multimedia app
    pc mightymax - realtime http://www.pcmightymax.net/cgi-bin/view.cgi//index.html
    sony - yebisu
    symantec - internet security
    symantec - norton antivirus
    timeacct - disktriage http://www.timeacct.com/disktriage/index.shtml
    interactual technologies - iplayer Multimedia app
    un4seen developments - xmplay2
    intervideo - mediacenter They make WinDVD dvd software
    roxio - easy cd creator

    No problems found.
    savagcl
     
  10. 2006/04/23
    Zander

    Zander Geek Member Alumni

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    Also, if you haven't already done so, you can free up more space on the drive by moving your pagefile to a different partition or drive.

    If you use or have ever used the hibernate feature there will be a large file (I believe it's equal to the amount of ram you have) in the root of your c: drive named hyberfil.sys. If you have one you can delete it assuming you don't use hibernate. If you do, turn it off and then delete the file.

    If you use OE you can save some more space by moving OE's store folder to a drive other than c. In OE, click tools>options>maintenance and click on the store folder button.

    I think I remember you use Firefox but if I'm wrong and you use IE, you can also move IE's TIF's to another drive.

    Another thing that comes to mind is system restore. You can set it so it uses less of the drives space. Perhaps you've already eliminated it if you use Acronis though.

    If I think of more I'll post em here. :)
     
  11. 2006/04/24
    savagcl Lifetime Subscription

    savagcl Geek Member Thread Starter

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    The pagefile (moving) is the only one that applies. All the others are not
    used (ever, if possible). :)

    savagcl
     
  12. 2006/04/25
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff

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    I wouldn't touch that folder. XP uses it for reference to keep track of certain files that are replaced when XP is updated. If a certain file is replaced in more than one update, it sees to that the most recent version is installed.

    If you have decided to deny a certain update but at a later date change your mind, it may want to replace a file with an older version than is already installed. The information in the $hf_mig$ folder prevents that from happening.

    If two updates installed at the same time want to replace the same file, the information in the $hf_mig$ folder sees to that the most recent version of the file gets installed.

    Christer
     
  13. 2006/04/25
    savagcl Lifetime Subscription

    savagcl Geek Member Thread Starter

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    Thanks, Christer.

    I'll file that folder as "Hands Off! "

    savagcl
     

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