What files could I delete in the Windows folder to free up space on the HDD?

[Dmitriy Kopnichev]

Hello
What files could I delete in the Windows folder to free up space on the HDD?

[Tom Swift]

None.

Tom Swift

"Dmitriy Kopnichev" > wrote in message
...
> Hello
> What files could I delete in the Windows folder to free up space on the
HDD?
>
>

[Dmitriy Kopnichev]

Most of my programs were installed on the D: drive. The drive broke. How to
delete files of the programs from the Windows folder?
"Tom Swift" > wrote in message
...
> None.
>
> Tom Swift
>
> "Dmitriy Kopnichev" > wrote in message
> ...
> > Hello
> > What files could I delete in the Windows folder to free up space on the
> HDD?
> >
> >
>

[Dmitriy Kopnichev]

I installed programs in the d:\program files folder or subfolders. The
un-install program via Control Panel doesn't work because the d: drive
broke. The programs copied some files to the c:\windows folder or
subfolders. Program crashes leave some files in the c:\windows and
c:\document and settings folders.
"Rob Schneider" > wrote in message
...
> Dmitriy Kopnichev wrote:
> > Most of my programs were installed on the D: drive. The drive broke. How
to
> > delete files of the programs from the Windows folder?
> > "Tom Swift" > wrote in message
> > ...
> >
> >>None.
> >>
> >>Tom Swift
> >>
> >>"Dmitriy Kopnichev" > wrote in message
> ...
> >>
> >>>Hello
> >>>What files could I delete in the Windows folder to free up space on the
> >>
> >>HDD?
> >>
> >>>
> >
> >
>
> If *you* installed programs in the c:\windows folder or subfolders, then
> best way to remove them is to use teh standard un-install program via
> Control Panel. Otherwise, there is nothing in c:\windows or subfolders
> that you should be messing with unless you know exactly what you are
doing.
>
> Use the XP Disk Clean up Utility to clear out files, and also take a
> look at the list of installed programs and see what you can delete.
>

[Dmitriy Kopnichev]

I didn't say that I know exact names of the files. I know that many programs
change files in or add files to the Windows folder.
"Rob Schneider" > wrote in message
...
> So ... if you know what files are "left" in c:\windows due to program
> crashes or left over installs, then what's stopping you deleting them?
> Doing that is sort of non-standard (unless you have temp space defined
> there) and it's impossible for others to advise without looking. Would
> be guessing.
>
> Dmitriy Kopnichev wrote:
>
> > I installed programs in the d:\program files folder or subfolders. The
> > un-install program via Control Panel doesn't work because the d: drive
> > broke. The programs copied some files to the c:\windows folder or
> > subfolders. Program crashes leave some files in the c:\windows and
> > c:\document and settings folders.
> > "Rob Schneider" > wrote in message
> > ...
> >
> >>Dmitriy Kopnichev wrote:
> >>
> >>>Most of my programs were installed on the D: drive. The drive broke.
How
> >
> > to
> >
> >>>delete files of the programs from the Windows folder?
> >>>"Tom Swift" > wrote in message
> ...
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>>None.
> >>>>
> >>>>Tom Swift
> >>>>
> >>>>"Dmitriy Kopnichev" > wrote in message
> ...
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>>Hello
> >>>>>What files could I delete in the Windows folder to free up space on
the
> >>>>
> >>>>HDD?
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>
> >>If *you* installed programs in the c:\windows folder or subfolders, then
> >>best way to remove them is to use teh standard un-install program via
> >>Control Panel. Otherwise, there is nothing in c:\windows or subfolders
> >>that you should be messing with unless you know exactly what you are
> >
> > doing.
> >
> >>Use the XP Disk Clean up Utility to clear out files, and also take a
> >>look at the list of installed programs and see what you can delete.
> >>
> >
> >
> >
>

[Dmitriy Kopnichev]

I cann't back up many settings. It'll take too much time to recreate all the
settings and reinstall all the programs installed on the c: drive.
"High Sierra" > wrote in message
ble.rogers.com...
> Dmitriy Kopnichev wrote:
>
> > I didn't say that I know exact names of the files. I know that many
programs
> > change files in or add files to the Windows folder.
> > "Rob Schneider" > wrote in message
> > ...
> >
> >>So ... if you know what files are "left" in c:\windows due to program
> >>crashes or left over installs, then what's stopping you deleting them?
> >>Doing that is sort of non-standard (unless you have temp space defined
> >>there) and it's impossible for others to advise without looking. Would
> >>be guessing.
> >>
> >>Dmitriy Kopnichev wrote:
> >>
> >>
> >>>I installed programs in the d:\program files folder or subfolders. The
> >>>un-install program via Control Panel doesn't work because the d: drive
> >>>broke. The programs copied some files to the c:\windows folder or
> >>>subfolders. Program crashes leave some files in the c:\windows and
> >>>c:\document and settings folders.
> >>>"Rob Schneider" > wrote in
message
> ...
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>>Dmitriy Kopnichev wrote:
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>>Most of my programs were installed on the D: drive. The drive broke.
> >
> > How
> >
> >>>to
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>>>delete files of the programs from the Windows folder?
> >>>>>"Tom Swift" > wrote in message
> ...
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>>>None.
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>Tom Swift
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>"Dmitriy Kopnichev" > wrote in message
> ...
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>>Hello
> >>>>>>>What files could I delete in the Windows folder to free up space on
> >
> > the
> >
> >>>>>>HDD?
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>If *you* installed programs in the c:\windows folder or subfolders,
then
> >>>>best way to remove them is to use teh standard un-install program via
> >>>>Control Panel. Otherwise, there is nothing in c:\windows or
subfolders
> >>>>that you should be messing with unless you know exactly what you are
> >>>
> >>>doing.
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>>Use the XP Disk Clean up Utility to clear out files, and also take a
> >>>>look at the list of installed programs and see what you can delete.
> >>>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >
> >
> Why don't you save your important files and do a clean install of
> everything. It might be the quickest thing to do. Replace your bad D
> drive then use it to temporarily back up those important data files.

[Dmitriy Kopnichev]

How to delete temporary files left at program and Windows XP crashes?
"High Sierra" > wrote in message
ble.rogers.com...
> Dmitriy Kopnichev wrote:
>
> > I didn't say that I know exact names of the files. I know that many
programs
> > change files in or add files to the Windows folder.
> > "Rob Schneider" > wrote in message
> > ...
> >
> >>So ... if you know what files are "left" in c:\windows due to program
> >>crashes or left over installs, then what's stopping you deleting them?
> >>Doing that is sort of non-standard (unless you have temp space defined
> >>there) and it's impossible for others to advise without looking. Would
> >>be guessing.
> >>
> >>Dmitriy Kopnichev wrote:
> >>
> >>
> >>>I installed programs in the d:\program files folder or subfolders. The
> >>>un-install program via Control Panel doesn't work because the d: drive
> >>>broke. The programs copied some files to the c:\windows folder or
> >>>subfolders. Program crashes leave some files in the c:\windows and
> >>>c:\document and settings folders.
> >>>"Rob Schneider" > wrote in
message
> ...
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>>Dmitriy Kopnichev wrote:
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>>Most of my programs were installed on the D: drive. The drive broke.
> >
> > How
> >
> >>>to
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>>>delete files of the programs from the Windows folder?
> >>>>>"Tom Swift" > wrote in message
> ...
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>>>None.
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>Tom Swift
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>"Dmitriy Kopnichev" > wrote in message
> ...
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>>Hello
> >>>>>>>What files could I delete in the Windows folder to free up space on
> >
> > the
> >
> >>>>>>HDD?
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>If *you* installed programs in the c:\windows folder or subfolders,
then
> >>>>best way to remove them is to use teh standard un-install program via
> >>>>Control Panel. Otherwise, there is nothing in c:\windows or
subfolders
> >>>>that you should be messing with unless you know exactly what you are
> >>>
> >>>doing.
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>>Use the XP Disk Clean up Utility to clear out files, and also take a
> >>>>look at the list of installed programs and see what you can delete.
> >>>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >
> >
> Another option would be to replace your D drive, then re-install the
> programs.

[Dmitriy Kopnichev]

I replaced the D drive with a new one and copied many program folders from
old drive to the new one. But the uninstall programs in the program folders
don't work.
"High Sierra" > wrote in message
ble.rogers.com...
> Dmitriy Kopnichev wrote:
>
> > I didn't say that I know exact names of the files. I know that many
programs
> > change files in or add files to the Windows folder.
> > "Rob Schneider" > wrote in message
> > ...
> >
> >>So ... if you know what files are "left" in c:\windows due to program
> >>crashes or left over installs, then what's stopping you deleting them?
> >>Doing that is sort of non-standard (unless you have temp space defined
> >>there) and it's impossible for others to advise without looking. Would
> >>be guessing.
> >>
> >>Dmitriy Kopnichev wrote:
> >>
> >>
> >>>I installed programs in the d:\program files folder or subfolders. The
> >>>un-install program via Control Panel doesn't work because the d: drive
> >>>broke. The programs copied some files to the c:\windows folder or
> >>>subfolders. Program crashes leave some files in the c:\windows and
> >>>c:\document and settings folders.
> >>>"Rob Schneider" > wrote in
message
> ...
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>>Dmitriy Kopnichev wrote:
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>>Most of my programs were installed on the D: drive. The drive broke.
> >
> > How
> >
> >>>to
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>>>delete files of the programs from the Windows folder?
> >>>>>"Tom Swift" > wrote in message
> ...
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>>>None.
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>Tom Swift
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>"Dmitriy Kopnichev" > wrote in message
> ...
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>>Hello
> >>>>>>>What files could I delete in the Windows folder to free up space on
> >
> > the
> >
> >>>>>>HDD?
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>If *you* installed programs in the c:\windows folder or subfolders,
then
> >>>>best way to remove them is to use teh standard un-install program via
> >>>>Control Panel. Otherwise, there is nothing in c:\windows or
subfolders
> >>>>that you should be messing with unless you know exactly what you are
> >>>
> >>>doing.
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>>Use the XP Disk Clean up Utility to clear out files, and also take a
> >>>>look at the list of installed programs and see what you can delete.
> >>>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >
> >
> Another option would be to replace your D drive, then re-install the
> programs.

[Alex Nichol]

Dmitriy Kopnichev wrote:

>What files could I delete in the Windows folder to free up space on the HDD?

Any hidden $NTUninstall. . . .$ folders provided you will not want to
uninstall the Hotfixes they relate to.

If you have installed SP1 then ServicePackFiles contains the service
pack file versions for use in preference to ones from the original CD if
needed by File Protection/SFC/New Hardware etc. On an NTFS drive a
useful amount of space can be saved by compressing it. What you can do
if you have a CD burner is burn the complete folder to a CD, then run
regedit.exe and at

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Curr entVersion\Setup

Change the value of ServicePackSourcePath in the right pane to reflect
the drive. Best if you have 2 drives, and can have the original
SourcePath on one and this on the other

Also unused wallpaper pictures in Web\wallpaper, and any 'Tour' type AVI
or MPG files and sound files in Media that you do not use for effects

Beyond that things start to be risky: There may be unneeded .inf files,
especially related to modems - but that sort of thing I would move
elsewhere so it could be put back in a hurry if New Hardware asked for
it


--
Alex Nichol MS MVP (Windows Technologies)
Bournemouth, U.K. (remove the D8 bit)

[Dmitriy Kopnichev]

How to know which .inf files are unneeded?
"Best if you have 2 drives"- do you mean two HDD drives? Should I move the
original SourcePath to CD-R too, or to a d: drive?
"Alex Nichol" > wrote in message
...
> Dmitriy Kopnichev wrote:
>
> >What files could I delete in the Windows folder to free up space on the
HDD?
>
> Any hidden $NTUninstall. . . .$ folders provided you will not want to
> uninstall the Hotfixes they relate to.
>
> If you have installed SP1 then ServicePackFiles contains the service
> pack file versions for use in preference to ones from the original CD if
> needed by File Protection/SFC/New Hardware etc. On an NTFS drive a
> useful amount of space can be saved by compressing it. What you can do
> if you have a CD burner is burn the complete folder to a CD, then run
> regedit.exe and at
>
> HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Curr entVersion\Setup
>
> Change the value of ServicePackSourcePath in the right pane to reflect
> the drive. Best if you have 2 drives, and can have the original
> SourcePath on one and this on the other
>
> Also unused wallpaper pictures in Web\wallpaper, and any 'Tour' type AVI
> or MPG files and sound files in Media that you do not use for effects
>
> Beyond that things start to be risky: There may be unneeded .inf files,
> especially related to modems - but that sort of thing I would move
> elsewhere so it could be put back in a hurry if New Hardware asked for
> it
>
>
> --
> Alex Nichol MS MVP (Windows Technologies)
> Bournemouth, U.K. (remove the D8 bit)

[Dmitriy Kopnichev]

Thanks!
What files and folders could I delete from "c:\documents and settings" to
free up space?
"Alex Nichol" > wrote in message
...
> Dmitriy Kopnichev wrote:
>
> >What files could I delete in the Windows folder to free up space on the
HDD?
>
> Any hidden $NTUninstall. . . .$ folders provided you will not want to
> uninstall the Hotfixes they relate to.
>
> If you have installed SP1 then ServicePackFiles contains the service
> pack file versions for use in preference to ones from the original CD if
> needed by File Protection/SFC/New Hardware etc. On an NTFS drive a
> useful amount of space can be saved by compressing it. What you can do
> if you have a CD burner is burn the complete folder to a CD, then run
> regedit.exe and at
>
> HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Curr entVersion\Setup
>
> Change the value of ServicePackSourcePath in the right pane to reflect
> the drive. Best if you have 2 drives, and can have the original
> SourcePath on one and this on the other
>
> Also unused wallpaper pictures in Web\wallpaper, and any 'Tour' type AVI
> or MPG files and sound files in Media that you do not use for effects
>
> Beyond that things start to be risky: There may be unneeded .inf files,
> especially related to modems - but that sort of thing I would move
> elsewhere so it could be put back in a hurry if New Hardware asked for
> it
>
>
> --
> Alex Nichol MS MVP (Windows Technologies)
> Bournemouth, U.K. (remove the D8 bit)

[Alex Nichol]

Dmitriy Kopnichev wrote:

>Thanks!
>What files and folders could I delete from "c:\documents and settings" to
>free up space?

Don't delete anything - but you can move the My Documents to a
different partition - open a My Computer window on Documents and
Settings\you to show it, and another on the partition where you want it.
Select it, and with the *Right* mouse down, drag it across, take *Copy
here*.

That is all your data files that were stored in My Documents

You can also usefully move Outlook Express's storage - in OE's own Tool
- Options - Maintenance - Store Folder; and your Temporary Internet
Files, in Control Panel, Internet Options, click Settings in Temporary
Internet files (and while about it cut the space allowed down - 50 MB
should be plenty)


--
Alex Nichol MS MVP (Windows Technologies)
Bournemouth, U.K. (remove the D8 bit)

[Alex Nichol]

Dmitriy Kopnichev wrote:

>How to know which .inf files are unneeded?
>"Best if you have 2 drives"- do you mean two HDD drives?

Two CD drives, so you can have the original CD in one and the SP one in
the other when the system is looking for files.

> Should I move the
>original SourcePath to CD-R too,

That will normally already be on a CD. If it isn't look for the i386
folder at the place that points to, and burn that to a CD too. Much
safer for a reinstall if you have it on a CD


--
Alex Nichol MS MVP (Windows Technologies)
Bournemouth, U.K. (remove the D8 bit)

[Dmitriy Kopnichev]

How to know which .inf files are unneeded?
"Alex Nichol" > wrote in message
...
> Dmitriy Kopnichev wrote:
>
> >What files could I delete in the Windows folder to free up space on the
HDD?
>
> Any hidden $NTUninstall. . . .$ folders provided you will not want to
> uninstall the Hotfixes they relate to.
>
> If you have installed SP1 then ServicePackFiles contains the service
> pack file versions for use in preference to ones from the original CD if
> needed by File Protection/SFC/New Hardware etc. On an NTFS drive a
> useful amount of space can be saved by compressing it. What you can do
> if you have a CD burner is burn the complete folder to a CD, then run
> regedit.exe and at
>
> HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Curr entVersion\Setup
>
> Change the value of ServicePackSourcePath in the right pane to reflect
> the drive. Best if you have 2 drives, and can have the original
> SourcePath on one and this on the other
>
> Also unused wallpaper pictures in Web\wallpaper, and any 'Tour' type AVI
> or MPG files and sound files in Media that you do not use for effects
>
> Beyond that things start to be risky: There may be unneeded .inf files,
> especially related to modems - but that sort of thing I would move
> elsewhere so it could be put back in a hurry if New Hardware asked for
> it
>
>
> --
> Alex Nichol MS MVP (Windows Technologies)
> Bournemouth, U.K. (remove the D8 bit)

[Dmitriy Kopnichev]

Thanks.
"Alex Nichol" > wrote in message
...
> Dmitriy Kopnichev wrote:
>
> >Thanks!
> >What files and folders could I delete from "c:\documents and settings" to
> >free up space?
>
> Don't delete anything - but you can move the My Documents to a
> different partition - open a My Computer window on Documents and
> Settings\you to show it, and another on the partition where you want it.
> Select it, and with the *Right* mouse down, drag it across, take *Copy
> here*.
>
> That is all your data files that were stored in My Documents
>
> You can also usefully move Outlook Express's storage - in OE's own Tool
> - Options - Maintenance - Store Folder; and your Temporary Internet
> Files, in Control Panel, Internet Options, click Settings in Temporary
> Internet files (and while about it cut the space allowed down - 50 MB
> should be plenty)
>
>
> --
> Alex Nichol MS MVP (Windows Technologies)
> Bournemouth, U.K. (remove the D8 bit)