Deleting the i386 folder from xp

[Glenn Novak]

I have a folder called i386 in the root directory of my c
drive. This folder has over 7,000 files in it and takes
over a gig of space. I was thinking about just moving the
files to a dvd disk but will removing this folder damage
windows in any way?? Thanks for anyone's help.

Glenn

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

The C:\i386 folder contains WinXP's installation files. These
should already exist on your installation CD, as well. (Unless all
you have is an OEM "Recovery" CD or partition.) They are needed for
repairs to the OS and when you wish to add/install additional
features. If you don't mind inserting a CD every time you make such a
change, you can safely off-load this folder to a CD. Doing so will
not damage WinXP.

Ironically, many people deliberately copy this particular folder
from the installation CD to the hard drive to avoid the inconvenience
of having to insert the CD whenever they add features. But, if you're
short of space, you can safely remove the folder, provided you do save
the files.

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html
----
You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having both at once. -- RAH


"Glenn Novak" > wrote in message
...
> I have a folder called i386 in the root directory of my c
> drive. This folder has over 7,000 files in it and takes
> over a gig of space. I was thinking about just moving the
> files to a dvd disk but will removing this folder damage
> windows in any way?? Thanks for anyone's help.
>
> Glenn
>

[CWatters]

One of this months UK computer mags has a letter in it explaining how the
content of this folder can be useful if want to do a partial reinstall of
an OEM installation. I've not tried it myself though.


"Bruce Chambers" > wrote in message
...
> Greetings --
>
> The C:\i386 folder contains WinXP's installation files. These
> should already exist on your installation CD, as well. (Unless all
> you have is an OEM "Recovery" CD or partition.) They are needed for
> repairs to the OS and when you wish to add/install additional
> features. If you don't mind inserting a CD every time you make such a
> change, you can safely off-load this folder to a CD. Doing so will
> not damage WinXP.
>
> Ironically, many people deliberately copy this particular folder
> from the installation CD to the hard drive to avoid the inconvenience
> of having to insert the CD whenever they add features. But, if you're
> short of space, you can safely remove the folder, provided you do save
> the files.
>
> Bruce Chambers
>
> Help us help you:
> http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
> http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html
> ----
> You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
> having both at once. -- RAH
>
>
> "Glenn Novak" > wrote in message
> ...
> > I have a folder called i386 in the root directory of my c
> > drive. This folder has over 7,000 files in it and takes
> > over a gig of space. I was thinking about just moving the
> > files to a dvd disk but will removing this folder damage
> > windows in any way?? Thanks for anyone's help.
> >
> > Glenn
> >
>
>