Re: C:/Windows/Installer file bloated to over 38GB
- From: "Terry R." <F1Com@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sat, 01 Nov 2008 13:44:16 -0700
The date and time was 10/31/2008 4:47 PM, and on a whim, schurmann pounded out on the keyboard:
My computer, using WinXP Home, warned me I was short on space on Drive C. Investigation showed the normally hidden file Windows/Installer was 38.4GB with nearly 100 folders similar to this: {0EFDF2F9-836D-4EB7-A32D-038BD3F1FB2A} and several hundred msp, msi and mst files like: 1c43380.msp or 3fb10042.mst
Can anyone tell me where these have come from and can I delete them?
With thanks for any help,
Eric Schurmann
Hi Eric,
This is not directed to you, but is just a couple comments about the Installer folder.
How many users wind up buying new computers because they've run out of storage space (those with little or no computer experience)? How many users wind up buying additional hard drives (those with a little experience)? Eric had almost 40 gigs of wasted space available. I've read about some that are over 100 gig. And we're just talking about ONE issue here with Windows.
One ridiculous thing I have found about the Installer folder. For some reason, a lot of programs have the Start Menu shortcuts looking to files in the Installer folder. Someone please explain why that is. WHAT does it have to do with Installing? Almost all Windows executables have their icons embedded into the files, so this is completely unnecessary. I'm guessing someone at MS was responsible for this idiotic function and/or programming requirement. Removing the useless files in the Installer folder doesn't affect the function of the program, you'll just wind up with the generic DOS icon for a good portion of your shortcuts in the Startup folders. And you CAN'T modify the shortcuts. One would have to create new ones that are directed to the executables. Programming genius, eh? Not counting that many of the required files are hundreds of times larger than a little ICO file! But really, if the icons are in the executable to begin with, why do this idiotic thing?
So, some programs store installation files in a users Application Data folders (yes, another dumping ground), some store in the Installer folder, some in Windows subfolders, some in ALL those locations. What sloppy programming and a waste of hard disk space. Who cares if hard drives are large enough?
The more I dig into the guts of Windows, the more I realize how much better the OS could be. Too many bandaids have been applied to Windows, and the injury is becoming infected. And MS ignores things like this and offers us what? An Aero interface...
--
Terry R.
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