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Unneeded Files

Discussion in 'Windows XP' started by jimk, 2006/12/03.

  1. 2006/12/03
    jimk

    jimk Inactive Thread Starter

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    I am using XP Home edition and have discovered, what I believe to be a group of usless files. They are located in c:\docs$settings\user\user data. There is a large group of files with strange names like "GTAF052F" and some have documents in them with names like "oWindowsUpdate[12].xml ". My question is are these needed or can they be deleted?

    Keep up the good work.
     
    jimk,
    #1
  2. 2006/12/03
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    jimk - Welcome to the Board :)

    Would you clarify the precise path you refer to - c:\documents and settings\user\user data is not a valid path - at least not in Pro

    Why do you want to get rid of the files - are you short on disk space? You are likely to do more harm than good by deleting files which appear to you to be 'useless'.

    The only files you can safely delete are your Temporary Internet files and the temp files listed when you go ...

    Start > Run > %temp% > OK - note that a few will be in use and cannot be deleted.

    The other location is C:\Windows\temp - files there are safe to delete.

    Apart from those you would be well advised to leave anything else alone.
     
    PeteC,
    #2


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  4. 2006/12/03
    jimk

    jimk Inactive Thread Starter

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    Thanks for the reply,
    c:\documents and settings\jim\userdata is the actual path on my XP-Home Ed. and yes I was looking for more space. I guess I'll have to bite the bullet and get a larger drive.

    jimk
     
    jimk,
    #3
  5. 2006/12/03
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    Ok - I don't have a computer here running Home, but if you are low on disk space follow the instructions for clearing out Temporary Files.

    You may prefer to run Disk Cleanup - Start > Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Cleanup. You can check all except Compress Old Files - the disk space saved is minimal (low compression) and it can cause problems.

    When looking at disk space you really need a minimum of 25% free to allow the drive to be defragmented and XP to run efficiently.
     
    PeteC,
    #4

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