What .log files are okay to delete?

[Maureen Goldman]

After five weeks with this new computer, XP shows 35M of log files (a
few with dates in 2002). I'm guessing that some are required if, say,
a hotfix is to be removed. What can be deleted? Or perhaps the
question should be after how long? TIA

[Sharon F]

On Fri, 25 Jul 2003 08:43:48 -0700, Maureen Goldman
> wrote:

>After five weeks with this new computer, XP shows 35M of log files (a
>few with dates in 2002). I'm guessing that some are required if, say,
>a hotfix is to be removed. What can be deleted? Or perhaps the
>question should be after how long? TIA
>

Maureen, this is a difficult question to give a blanket answer to. Some
logs are very important (example: XP maintains log files that relate to
various registry hives and messages displayed in the Event Viewer are
stored in log files). Some are good records to have on hand for future
troubleshooting. Some will be useful or needed by programs when/if you
reinstall or uninstall. A handful will never be looked at again by you,
Windows or your programs.

Things to consider: Windows will refuse to delete any log files that are
actively in use. Many log files are restricted in size and will never
grow beyond a set size. Many programs allow you to clear a log via their
program menus. Some have "append" and replace" options. Using "replace"
will help to keep the total size down. Most of the time a deleted log
file will be replaced with a new one when/if it's needed but not always.
This is the scenario you would want to avoid when considering which log
files to delete. The relevant tech support resource may have information
on the safety of deleting a particular log file.

You'll need to discern just how important a particular log file is and
decide on a one by one basis. Because hard drive space is so generous on
most modern setups, I limit deleting logs to applications that I no
longer have installed, for features that I know I'll never use and logs
that are obviously needed-one-time-only drek.

Sharon F
MS MVP
[Windows XP - Shell/User]

[Maureen Goldman]

Thanks for the lengthy reply, Sharon.

>Sharon F > wrote:
>Maureen, this is a difficult question to give a blanket answer to. Some
>logs are very important (example: XP maintains log files that relate to
>various registry hives and messages displayed in the Event Viewer are
>stored in log files). Some are good records to have on hand for future
>troubleshooting. Some will be useful or needed by programs when/if you
>reinstall or uninstall. A handful will never be looked at again by you,
>Windows or your programs.
>
>Things to consider: Windows will refuse to delete any log files that are
>actively in use. Many log files are restricted in size and will never
>grow beyond a set size. Many programs allow you to clear a log via their
>program menus. Some have "append" and replace" options. Using "replace"
>will help to keep the total size down. Most of the time a deleted log
>file will be replaced with a new one when/if it's needed but not always.
>This is the scenario you would want to avoid when considering which log
>files to delete. The relevant tech support resource may have information
>on the safety of deleting a particular log file.
>
>You'll need to discern just how important a particular log file is and
>decide on a one by one basis. Because hard drive space is so generous on
>most modern setups, I limit deleting logs to applications that I no
>longer have installed, for features that I know I'll never use and logs
>that are obviously needed-one-time-only drek.
>
>Sharon F
>MS MVP
>[Windows XP - Shell/User]

[Sharon F]

You're welcome, Maureen. Hope you found something useful in it ;)
Sharon F
MS MVP
[Windows XP - Shell/User]

On Mon, 28 Jul 2003 13:59:08 -0700, Maureen Goldman
> wrote:

>Thanks for the lengthy reply, Sharon.
>
>>Sharon F > wrote:
>>Maureen, this is a difficult question to give a blanket answer to. Some
>>logs are very important (example: XP maintains log files that relate to
>>various registry hives and messages displayed in the Event Viewer are
>>stored in log files). Some are good records to have on hand for future
>>troubleshooting. Some will be useful or needed by programs when/if you
>>reinstall or uninstall. A handful will never be looked at again by you,
>>Windows or your programs.
>>
>>Things to consider: Windows will refuse to delete any log files that are
>>actively in use. Many log files are restricted in size and will never
>>grow beyond a set size. Many programs allow you to clear a log via their
>>program menus. Some have "append" and replace" options. Using "replace"
>>will help to keep the total size down. Most of the time a deleted log
>>file will be replaced with a new one when/if it's needed but not always.
>>This is the scenario you would want to avoid when considering which log
>>files to delete. The relevant tech support resource may have information
>>on the safety of deleting a particular log file.
>>
>>You'll need to discern just how important a particular log file is and
>>decide on a one by one basis. Because hard drive space is so generous on
>>most modern setups, I limit deleting logs to applications that I no
>>longer have installed, for features that I know I'll never use and logs
>>that are obviously needed-one-time-only drek.