Is it safe to delete C:WindowsInstaller on Windows 10?












3














Is it safe to delete C:WindowsInstaller on Windows 10?



installer










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  • 4




    No; Those files should not be deleted
    – Ramhound
    4 hours ago
















3














Is it safe to delete C:WindowsInstaller on Windows 10?



installer










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  • 4




    No; Those files should not be deleted
    – Ramhound
    4 hours ago














3












3








3







Is it safe to delete C:WindowsInstaller on Windows 10?



installer










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Is it safe to delete C:WindowsInstaller on Windows 10?



installer







windows-10






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edited 19 mins ago









Community

1




1










asked 4 hours ago









Christian BurgosChristian Burgos

1193




1193








  • 4




    No; Those files should not be deleted
    – Ramhound
    4 hours ago














  • 4




    No; Those files should not be deleted
    – Ramhound
    4 hours ago








4




4




No; Those files should not be deleted
– Ramhound
4 hours ago




No; Those files should not be deleted
– Ramhound
4 hours ago










3 Answers
3






active

oldest

votes


















5














According to Microsoft employee joscon in the Microsoft Technet post "Can you safely delete files in the %windir%Installer directory?", it is not safe to delete C:windowsinstall or any files within it, and the post explains why as well.



I've referenced and quoted the portions of the post that relate to your question and helped make it more clear and concise for the specific subject matter of your inquiry.




Can you safely delete files in the %windir%Installer directory?



The answer is flatly: "No".



Let's talk about why this is a bad idea:




  1. First, it is not supported. If you remove files from this directory
    and have issues, you may need to reinstall the application to get
    back to a good state.



  2. This particular directory's job is to act as a cache location for Windows installer based applications. It holds stripped down versions
    of the Windows installer data files. During application install,
    update of the application or application removal, this directory is
    used by the application to confirm the existence of previously
    installed items to determine the next steps the installer needs to
    take.




    • The files are different from machine to machine, so if you
      expect to delete the files in the directory and then copy them over
      from another machine, that would be incorrect. Removing items from
      here could cause you to have application crashes, or worse, require
      the re-installation and patching of the application.




The overall idea that you really should not remove items in the
Windows directory. We build and test our software based on the
existence of specific files and directories. When those files and
directories don't exist, bad things can and will happen. However, that
is a generalization that usually upsets many people so let's be more
specific.



The proper way to alleviate space pressure in this directory is to uninstall any unneeded applications.



source







share|improve this answer































    1














    The C:WindowsInstaller folder is where some but not all applications uninstall files and folders are stored.



    If you want to remove applications, use the Control Panel Programs and Features to uninstall them. It is also possible to run Disk Cleanup (cleanmgr.exe) in elevated mode to help free up space.






    share|improve this answer





















    • That is not the location OP is asking about.
      – music2myear
      1 hour ago






    • 1




      @music2myear Check the screenshot.
      – CodeIt
      53 mins ago



















    -1














    get W10 in a virtual machine and try it out






    share|improve this answer








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      3 Answers
      3






      active

      oldest

      votes








      3 Answers
      3






      active

      oldest

      votes









      active

      oldest

      votes






      active

      oldest

      votes









      5














      According to Microsoft employee joscon in the Microsoft Technet post "Can you safely delete files in the %windir%Installer directory?", it is not safe to delete C:windowsinstall or any files within it, and the post explains why as well.



      I've referenced and quoted the portions of the post that relate to your question and helped make it more clear and concise for the specific subject matter of your inquiry.




      Can you safely delete files in the %windir%Installer directory?



      The answer is flatly: "No".



      Let's talk about why this is a bad idea:




      1. First, it is not supported. If you remove files from this directory
        and have issues, you may need to reinstall the application to get
        back to a good state.



      2. This particular directory's job is to act as a cache location for Windows installer based applications. It holds stripped down versions
        of the Windows installer data files. During application install,
        update of the application or application removal, this directory is
        used by the application to confirm the existence of previously
        installed items to determine the next steps the installer needs to
        take.




        • The files are different from machine to machine, so if you
          expect to delete the files in the directory and then copy them over
          from another machine, that would be incorrect. Removing items from
          here could cause you to have application crashes, or worse, require
          the re-installation and patching of the application.




      The overall idea that you really should not remove items in the
      Windows directory. We build and test our software based on the
      existence of specific files and directories. When those files and
      directories don't exist, bad things can and will happen. However, that
      is a generalization that usually upsets many people so let's be more
      specific.



      The proper way to alleviate space pressure in this directory is to uninstall any unneeded applications.



      source







      share|improve this answer




























        5














        According to Microsoft employee joscon in the Microsoft Technet post "Can you safely delete files in the %windir%Installer directory?", it is not safe to delete C:windowsinstall or any files within it, and the post explains why as well.



        I've referenced and quoted the portions of the post that relate to your question and helped make it more clear and concise for the specific subject matter of your inquiry.




        Can you safely delete files in the %windir%Installer directory?



        The answer is flatly: "No".



        Let's talk about why this is a bad idea:




        1. First, it is not supported. If you remove files from this directory
          and have issues, you may need to reinstall the application to get
          back to a good state.



        2. This particular directory's job is to act as a cache location for Windows installer based applications. It holds stripped down versions
          of the Windows installer data files. During application install,
          update of the application or application removal, this directory is
          used by the application to confirm the existence of previously
          installed items to determine the next steps the installer needs to
          take.




          • The files are different from machine to machine, so if you
            expect to delete the files in the directory and then copy them over
            from another machine, that would be incorrect. Removing items from
            here could cause you to have application crashes, or worse, require
            the re-installation and patching of the application.




        The overall idea that you really should not remove items in the
        Windows directory. We build and test our software based on the
        existence of specific files and directories. When those files and
        directories don't exist, bad things can and will happen. However, that
        is a generalization that usually upsets many people so let's be more
        specific.



        The proper way to alleviate space pressure in this directory is to uninstall any unneeded applications.



        source







        share|improve this answer


























          5












          5








          5






          According to Microsoft employee joscon in the Microsoft Technet post "Can you safely delete files in the %windir%Installer directory?", it is not safe to delete C:windowsinstall or any files within it, and the post explains why as well.



          I've referenced and quoted the portions of the post that relate to your question and helped make it more clear and concise for the specific subject matter of your inquiry.




          Can you safely delete files in the %windir%Installer directory?



          The answer is flatly: "No".



          Let's talk about why this is a bad idea:




          1. First, it is not supported. If you remove files from this directory
            and have issues, you may need to reinstall the application to get
            back to a good state.



          2. This particular directory's job is to act as a cache location for Windows installer based applications. It holds stripped down versions
            of the Windows installer data files. During application install,
            update of the application or application removal, this directory is
            used by the application to confirm the existence of previously
            installed items to determine the next steps the installer needs to
            take.




            • The files are different from machine to machine, so if you
              expect to delete the files in the directory and then copy them over
              from another machine, that would be incorrect. Removing items from
              here could cause you to have application crashes, or worse, require
              the re-installation and patching of the application.




          The overall idea that you really should not remove items in the
          Windows directory. We build and test our software based on the
          existence of specific files and directories. When those files and
          directories don't exist, bad things can and will happen. However, that
          is a generalization that usually upsets many people so let's be more
          specific.



          The proper way to alleviate space pressure in this directory is to uninstall any unneeded applications.



          source







          share|improve this answer














          According to Microsoft employee joscon in the Microsoft Technet post "Can you safely delete files in the %windir%Installer directory?", it is not safe to delete C:windowsinstall or any files within it, and the post explains why as well.



          I've referenced and quoted the portions of the post that relate to your question and helped make it more clear and concise for the specific subject matter of your inquiry.




          Can you safely delete files in the %windir%Installer directory?



          The answer is flatly: "No".



          Let's talk about why this is a bad idea:




          1. First, it is not supported. If you remove files from this directory
            and have issues, you may need to reinstall the application to get
            back to a good state.



          2. This particular directory's job is to act as a cache location for Windows installer based applications. It holds stripped down versions
            of the Windows installer data files. During application install,
            update of the application or application removal, this directory is
            used by the application to confirm the existence of previously
            installed items to determine the next steps the installer needs to
            take.




            • The files are different from machine to machine, so if you
              expect to delete the files in the directory and then copy them over
              from another machine, that would be incorrect. Removing items from
              here could cause you to have application crashes, or worse, require
              the re-installation and patching of the application.




          The overall idea that you really should not remove items in the
          Windows directory. We build and test our software based on the
          existence of specific files and directories. When those files and
          directories don't exist, bad things can and will happen. However, that
          is a generalization that usually upsets many people so let's be more
          specific.



          The proper way to alleviate space pressure in this directory is to uninstall any unneeded applications.



          source








          share|improve this answer














          share|improve this answer



          share|improve this answer








          edited 1 hour ago

























          answered 2 hours ago









          Pimp Juice ITPimp Juice IT

          23.2k113969




          23.2k113969

























              1














              The C:WindowsInstaller folder is where some but not all applications uninstall files and folders are stored.



              If you want to remove applications, use the Control Panel Programs and Features to uninstall them. It is also possible to run Disk Cleanup (cleanmgr.exe) in elevated mode to help free up space.






              share|improve this answer





















              • That is not the location OP is asking about.
                – music2myear
                1 hour ago






              • 1




                @music2myear Check the screenshot.
                – CodeIt
                53 mins ago
















              1














              The C:WindowsInstaller folder is where some but not all applications uninstall files and folders are stored.



              If you want to remove applications, use the Control Panel Programs and Features to uninstall them. It is also possible to run Disk Cleanup (cleanmgr.exe) in elevated mode to help free up space.






              share|improve this answer





















              • That is not the location OP is asking about.
                – music2myear
                1 hour ago






              • 1




                @music2myear Check the screenshot.
                – CodeIt
                53 mins ago














              1












              1








              1






              The C:WindowsInstaller folder is where some but not all applications uninstall files and folders are stored.



              If you want to remove applications, use the Control Panel Programs and Features to uninstall them. It is also possible to run Disk Cleanup (cleanmgr.exe) in elevated mode to help free up space.






              share|improve this answer












              The C:WindowsInstaller folder is where some but not all applications uninstall files and folders are stored.



              If you want to remove applications, use the Control Panel Programs and Features to uninstall them. It is also possible to run Disk Cleanup (cleanmgr.exe) in elevated mode to help free up space.







              share|improve this answer












              share|improve this answer



              share|improve this answer










              answered 2 hours ago









              qi SONGqi SONG

              692




              692












              • That is not the location OP is asking about.
                – music2myear
                1 hour ago






              • 1




                @music2myear Check the screenshot.
                – CodeIt
                53 mins ago


















              • That is not the location OP is asking about.
                – music2myear
                1 hour ago






              • 1




                @music2myear Check the screenshot.
                – CodeIt
                53 mins ago
















              That is not the location OP is asking about.
              – music2myear
              1 hour ago




              That is not the location OP is asking about.
              – music2myear
              1 hour ago




              1




              1




              @music2myear Check the screenshot.
              – CodeIt
              53 mins ago




              @music2myear Check the screenshot.
              – CodeIt
              53 mins ago











              -1














              get W10 in a virtual machine and try it out






              share|improve this answer








              New contributor




              guest is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
              Check out our Code of Conduct.























                -1














                get W10 in a virtual machine and try it out






                share|improve this answer








                New contributor




                guest is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                Check out our Code of Conduct.





















                  -1












                  -1








                  -1






                  get W10 in a virtual machine and try it out






                  share|improve this answer








                  New contributor




                  guest is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                  Check out our Code of Conduct.









                  get W10 in a virtual machine and try it out







                  share|improve this answer








                  New contributor




                  guest is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                  Check out our Code of Conduct.









                  share|improve this answer



                  share|improve this answer






                  New contributor




                  guest is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                  Check out our Code of Conduct.









                  answered 1 hour ago









                  guestguest

                  1




                  1




                  New contributor




                  guest is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                  Check out our Code of Conduct.





                  New contributor





                  guest is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                  Check out our Code of Conduct.






                  guest is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                  Check out our Code of Conduct.






























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