Is it possible to delete `C:ProgramDataMicrosoft` folder without breaking programs?
up vote
5
down vote
favorite
I have a large hard drive, but over the course of time, I find that I now only have 5 GB of space. While manually looking through my hard drive, I noticed that the folder C:ProgramDataMicrosoft takes up 2.2 GB of space.
Is it possible to manually delete C:ProgramDataMicrosoft folder or at the very least reduce the size of this folder without breaking Microsoft programs?
If there are other ways to reduce the size of this folder, please detail the necessary steps to take.
windows-7 disk-cleanup
edited Jan 30 '13 at 17:07
Dennis
40.3k6101136
asked Jan 30 '13 at 16:53
Trevor Boyd Smith
970102647
add a comment |
up vote
5
down vote
favorite
I have a large hard drive, but over the course of time, I find that I now only have 5 GB of space. While manually looking through my hard drive, I noticed that the folder C:ProgramDataMicrosoft takes up 2.2 GB of space.
Is it possible to manually delete C:ProgramDataMicrosoft folder or at the very least reduce the size of this folder without breaking Microsoft programs?
If there are other ways to reduce the size of this folder, please detail the necessary steps to take.
windows-7 disk-cleanup
edited Jan 30 '13 at 17:07
Dennis
40.3k6101136
asked Jan 30 '13 at 16:53
Trevor Boyd Smith
970102647
3
Unlikely...The files contained in that folder are there for a reason. It sounds like your space is being used by something else if 2.2GB is even worth asking about.
– Ramhound
Jan 30 '13 at 16:58
You can move it to another drive using dir junctions if you're running out of space on your OS drive (see Moving Windows 7 ProgramData folder after installation), but some things will break.
– Karan
Jan 30 '13 at 17:01
Why would you do that? It's obviously used by Windows, as it's created by Windows.
– TFM
Jan 30 '13 at 17:37
add a comment |
up vote
5
down vote
favorite
up vote
5
down vote
favorite
I have a large hard drive, but over the course of time, I find that I now only have 5 GB of space. While manually looking through my hard drive, I noticed that the folder C:ProgramDataMicrosoft takes up 2.2 GB of space.
Is it possible to manually delete C:ProgramDataMicrosoft folder or at the very least reduce the size of this folder without breaking Microsoft programs?
If there are other ways to reduce the size of this folder, please detail the necessary steps to take.
windows-7 disk-cleanup
edited Jan 30 '13 at 17:07
Dennis
40.3k6101136
asked Jan 30 '13 at 16:53
Trevor Boyd Smith
970102647
I have a large hard drive, but over the course of time, I find that I now only have 5 GB of space. While manually looking through my hard drive, I noticed that the folder C:ProgramDataMicrosoft takes up 2.2 GB of space.
Is it possible to manually delete C:ProgramDataMicrosoft folder or at the very least reduce the size of this folder without breaking Microsoft programs?
If there are other ways to reduce the size of this folder, please detail the necessary steps to take.
windows-7 disk-cleanup
windows-7 disk-cleanup
edited Jan 30 '13 at 17:07
Dennis
40.3k6101136
asked Jan 30 '13 at 16:53
Trevor Boyd Smith
970102647
edited Jan 30 '13 at 17:07
Dennis
40.3k6101136
asked Jan 30 '13 at 16:53
Trevor Boyd Smith
970102647
edited Jan 30 '13 at 17:07
Dennis
40.3k6101136
edited Jan 30 '13 at 17:07
Dennis
40.3k6101136
edited Jan 30 '13 at 17:07
Dennis
40.3k6101136
40.3k6101136
asked Jan 30 '13 at 16:53
Trevor Boyd Smith
970102647
asked Jan 30 '13 at 16:53
Trevor Boyd Smith
970102647
asked Jan 30 '13 at 16:53
Trevor Boyd Smith
970102647
970102647
3
Unlikely...The files contained in that folder are there for a reason. It sounds like your space is being used by something else if 2.2GB is even worth asking about.
– Ramhound
Jan 30 '13 at 16:58
You can move it to another drive using dir junctions if you're running out of space on your OS drive (see Moving Windows 7 ProgramData folder after installation), but some things will break.
– Karan
Jan 30 '13 at 17:01
Why would you do that? It's obviously used by Windows, as it's created by Windows.
– TFM
Jan 30 '13 at 17:37
add a comment |
3
Unlikely...The files contained in that folder are there for a reason. It sounds like your space is being used by something else if 2.2GB is even worth asking about.
– Ramhound
Jan 30 '13 at 16:58
You can move it to another drive using dir junctions if you're running out of space on your OS drive (see Moving Windows 7 ProgramData folder after installation), but some things will break.
– Karan
Jan 30 '13 at 17:01
Why would you do that? It's obviously used by Windows, as it's created by Windows.
– TFM
Jan 30 '13 at 17:37
3
3
Unlikely...The files contained in that folder are there for a reason. It sounds like your space is being used by something else if 2.2GB is even worth asking about.
– Ramhound
Jan 30 '13 at 16:58
Unlikely...The files contained in that folder are there for a reason. It sounds like your space is being used by something else if 2.2GB is even worth asking about.
– Ramhound
Jan 30 '13 at 16:58
You can move it to another drive using dir junctions if you're running out of space on your OS drive (see Moving Windows 7 ProgramData folder after installation), but some things will break.
– Karan
Jan 30 '13 at 17:01
You can move it to another drive using dir junctions if you're running out of space on your OS drive (see Moving Windows 7 ProgramData folder after installation), but some things will break.
– Karan
Jan 30 '13 at 17:01
Why would you do that? It's obviously used by Windows, as it's created by Windows.
– TFM
Jan 30 '13 at 17:37
Why would you do that? It's obviously used by Windows, as it's created by Windows.
– TFM
Jan 30 '13 at 17:37
add a comment |
5 Answers
5
active
oldest
votes
up vote
2
down vote
accepted
Is it possible to manually delete C:ProgramDataMicrosoft folder or at the very least reduce the size of this folder without breaking Microsoft programs?
No.
If there are other ways to reduce the size of this folder, please detail the necessary steps to take.
There is one possibility.
That is the default location for the windows search database, which can be several gigabytes on its own. If this happens to be indexing more information that you really need, then you could reduce the database size by excluding these options from the index.
To do that, you go the your Control Panel and search for 'Indexing options' it this should allow you see what is being currently indexed and you can modify the criteria.
You may also need to delete and rebuild the index which can be done from the advanced section. (It also allows you to change the location of the database, but I presume that isn't off any benefit to you)
answered Jan 30 '13 at 17:53
sgmoore
5,59611931
add a comment |
up vote
2
down vote
You cannot delete the Program Data folder. Instead look at other options. Some of them will be:
- Disable hibernation and delete the hidden hiberfil.sys
Move the page file from C: drive to an alternate drive.- Run CCleaner and see if helps clean up some stuff.
- See if you can uninstall some junk / obselete / now unwanted programs.
- Check for Memory.dmp file in C:Windows. This is a BSOD file that may take up space.
edited Mar 20 '17 at 10:16
Community♦
1
answered Jan 30 '13 at 17:03
Ganesh R.
4,74112027
add a comment |
up vote
2
down vote
You can delete the contents of the ProgramDataMicrosoftWindowsCaches folder, and you can also delete contents of ProgramDataMicrosoftWindowsPower Efficiency Diagnostics. These will automatically re-generate. Some of these files you won't be able to delete even by taking ownership of the files, but Unlocker can delete them. When you then reboot, you will see the files get re-created by themselves, given time.
If you don't use Windows Defender you can also delete its definition files in ProgramData. Etc.
But no, you should not delete ProgramDataMicrosoft.
answered Mar 4 '15 at 15:16
trala
211
add a comment |
up vote
1
down vote
No, it isn’t. This folder contains files used by Windows and other applications.
answered Jan 30 '13 at 17:02
kinokijuf
6,65784385
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
I have two subfolders under ProgramDataMicrosoft:
HelpLibrary1GB
HelpLibrary22GB
which are help files for old versions of Visual Studio. The parts for ver. 12 and 14 are empty, but ver. 10 and 11 left total of 3GB junk after uninstall. I deleted them manually without causing any problems, since I'm using only ver. 15 of Visual Studio.
answered Nov 22 at 8:58
Paul Jurczak
1093
add a comment |
5 Answers
5
active
oldest
votes
5 Answers
5
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
2
down vote
accepted
Is it possible to manually delete C:ProgramDataMicrosoft folder or at the very least reduce the size of this folder without breaking Microsoft programs?
No.
If there are other ways to reduce the size of this folder, please detail the necessary steps to take.
There is one possibility.
That is the default location for the windows search database, which can be several gigabytes on its own. If this happens to be indexing more information that you really need, then you could reduce the database size by excluding these options from the index.
To do that, you go the your Control Panel and search for 'Indexing options' it this should allow you see what is being currently indexed and you can modify the criteria.
You may also need to delete and rebuild the index which can be done from the advanced section. (It also allows you to change the location of the database, but I presume that isn't off any benefit to you)
answered Jan 30 '13 at 17:53
sgmoore
5,59611931
add a comment |
up vote
2
down vote
accepted
Is it possible to manually delete C:ProgramDataMicrosoft folder or at the very least reduce the size of this folder without breaking Microsoft programs?
No.
If there are other ways to reduce the size of this folder, please detail the necessary steps to take.
There is one possibility.
That is the default location for the windows search database, which can be several gigabytes on its own. If this happens to be indexing more information that you really need, then you could reduce the database size by excluding these options from the index.
To do that, you go the your Control Panel and search for 'Indexing options' it this should allow you see what is being currently indexed and you can modify the criteria.
You may also need to delete and rebuild the index which can be done from the advanced section. (It also allows you to change the location of the database, but I presume that isn't off any benefit to you)
answered Jan 30 '13 at 17:53
sgmoore
5,59611931
add a comment |
up vote
2
down vote
accepted
up vote
2
down vote
accepted
Is it possible to manually delete C:ProgramDataMicrosoft folder or at the very least reduce the size of this folder without breaking Microsoft programs?
No.
If there are other ways to reduce the size of this folder, please detail the necessary steps to take.
There is one possibility.
That is the default location for the windows search database, which can be several gigabytes on its own. If this happens to be indexing more information that you really need, then you could reduce the database size by excluding these options from the index.
To do that, you go the your Control Panel and search for 'Indexing options' it this should allow you see what is being currently indexed and you can modify the criteria.
You may also need to delete and rebuild the index which can be done from the advanced section. (It also allows you to change the location of the database, but I presume that isn't off any benefit to you)
answered Jan 30 '13 at 17:53
sgmoore
5,59611931
Is it possible to manually delete C:ProgramDataMicrosoft folder or at the very least reduce the size of this folder without breaking Microsoft programs?
No.
If there are other ways to reduce the size of this folder, please detail the necessary steps to take.
There is one possibility.
That is the default location for the windows search database, which can be several gigabytes on its own. If this happens to be indexing more information that you really need, then you could reduce the database size by excluding these options from the index.
To do that, you go the your Control Panel and search for 'Indexing options' it this should allow you see what is being currently indexed and you can modify the criteria.
You may also need to delete and rebuild the index which can be done from the advanced section. (It also allows you to change the location of the database, but I presume that isn't off any benefit to you)
answered Jan 30 '13 at 17:53
sgmoore
5,59611931
answered Jan 30 '13 at 17:53
sgmoore
5,59611931
answered Jan 30 '13 at 17:53
sgmoore
5,59611931
answered Jan 30 '13 at 17:53
sgmoore
5,59611931
5,59611931
add a comment |
add a comment |
up vote
2
down vote
You cannot delete the Program Data folder. Instead look at other options. Some of them will be:
- Disable hibernation and delete the hidden hiberfil.sys
Move the page file from C: drive to an alternate drive.- Run CCleaner and see if helps clean up some stuff.
- See if you can uninstall some junk / obselete / now unwanted programs.
- Check for Memory.dmp file in C:Windows. This is a BSOD file that may take up space.
edited Mar 20 '17 at 10:16
Community♦
1
answered Jan 30 '13 at 17:03
Ganesh R.
4,74112027
add a comment |
up vote
2
down vote
You cannot delete the Program Data folder. Instead look at other options. Some of them will be:
- Disable hibernation and delete the hidden hiberfil.sys
Move the page file from C: drive to an alternate drive.- Run CCleaner and see if helps clean up some stuff.
- See if you can uninstall some junk / obselete / now unwanted programs.
- Check for Memory.dmp file in C:Windows. This is a BSOD file that may take up space.
edited Mar 20 '17 at 10:16
Community♦
1
answered Jan 30 '13 at 17:03
Ganesh R.
4,74112027
add a comment |
up vote
2
down vote
up vote
2
down vote
You cannot delete the Program Data folder. Instead look at other options. Some of them will be:
- Disable hibernation and delete the hidden hiberfil.sys
Move the page file from C: drive to an alternate drive.- Run CCleaner and see if helps clean up some stuff.
- See if you can uninstall some junk / obselete / now unwanted programs.
- Check for Memory.dmp file in C:Windows. This is a BSOD file that may take up space.
edited Mar 20 '17 at 10:16
Community♦
1
answered Jan 30 '13 at 17:03
Ganesh R.
4,74112027
You cannot delete the Program Data folder. Instead look at other options. Some of them will be:
- Disable hibernation and delete the hidden hiberfil.sys
Move the page file from C: drive to an alternate drive.- Run CCleaner and see if helps clean up some stuff.
- See if you can uninstall some junk / obselete / now unwanted programs.
- Check for Memory.dmp file in C:Windows. This is a BSOD file that may take up space.
edited Mar 20 '17 at 10:16
Community♦
1
answered Jan 30 '13 at 17:03
Ganesh R.
4,74112027
edited Mar 20 '17 at 10:16
Community♦
1
edited Mar 20 '17 at 10:16
Community♦
1
edited Mar 20 '17 at 10:16
Community♦
1
1
answered Jan 30 '13 at 17:03
Ganesh R.
4,74112027
answered Jan 30 '13 at 17:03
Ganesh R.
4,74112027
answered Jan 30 '13 at 17:03
Ganesh R.
4,74112027
4,74112027
add a comment |
add a comment |
up vote
2
down vote
You can delete the contents of the ProgramDataMicrosoftWindowsCaches folder, and you can also delete contents of ProgramDataMicrosoftWindowsPower Efficiency Diagnostics. These will automatically re-generate. Some of these files you won't be able to delete even by taking ownership of the files, but Unlocker can delete them. When you then reboot, you will see the files get re-created by themselves, given time.
If you don't use Windows Defender you can also delete its definition files in ProgramData. Etc.
But no, you should not delete ProgramDataMicrosoft.
answered Mar 4 '15 at 15:16
trala
211
add a comment |
up vote
2
down vote
You can delete the contents of the ProgramDataMicrosoftWindowsCaches folder, and you can also delete contents of ProgramDataMicrosoftWindowsPower Efficiency Diagnostics. These will automatically re-generate. Some of these files you won't be able to delete even by taking ownership of the files, but Unlocker can delete them. When you then reboot, you will see the files get re-created by themselves, given time.
If you don't use Windows Defender you can also delete its definition files in ProgramData. Etc.
But no, you should not delete ProgramDataMicrosoft.
answered Mar 4 '15 at 15:16
trala
211
add a comment |
up vote
2
down vote
up vote
2
down vote
You can delete the contents of the ProgramDataMicrosoftWindowsCaches folder, and you can also delete contents of ProgramDataMicrosoftWindowsPower Efficiency Diagnostics. These will automatically re-generate. Some of these files you won't be able to delete even by taking ownership of the files, but Unlocker can delete them. When you then reboot, you will see the files get re-created by themselves, given time.
If you don't use Windows Defender you can also delete its definition files in ProgramData. Etc.
But no, you should not delete ProgramDataMicrosoft.
answered Mar 4 '15 at 15:16
trala
211
You can delete the contents of the ProgramDataMicrosoftWindowsCaches folder, and you can also delete contents of ProgramDataMicrosoftWindowsPower Efficiency Diagnostics. These will automatically re-generate. Some of these files you won't be able to delete even by taking ownership of the files, but Unlocker can delete them. When you then reboot, you will see the files get re-created by themselves, given time.
If you don't use Windows Defender you can also delete its definition files in ProgramData. Etc.
But no, you should not delete ProgramDataMicrosoft.
answered Mar 4 '15 at 15:16
trala
211
answered Mar 4 '15 at 15:16
trala
211
answered Mar 4 '15 at 15:16
trala
211
answered Mar 4 '15 at 15:16
trala
211
211
add a comment |
add a comment |
up vote
1
down vote
No, it isn’t. This folder contains files used by Windows and other applications.
answered Jan 30 '13 at 17:02
kinokijuf
6,65784385
add a comment |
up vote
1
down vote
No, it isn’t. This folder contains files used by Windows and other applications.
answered Jan 30 '13 at 17:02
kinokijuf
6,65784385
add a comment |
up vote
1
down vote
up vote
1
down vote
No, it isn’t. This folder contains files used by Windows and other applications.
answered Jan 30 '13 at 17:02
kinokijuf
6,65784385
No, it isn’t. This folder contains files used by Windows and other applications.
answered Jan 30 '13 at 17:02
kinokijuf
6,65784385
answered Jan 30 '13 at 17:02
kinokijuf
6,65784385
answered Jan 30 '13 at 17:02
kinokijuf
6,65784385
answered Jan 30 '13 at 17:02
kinokijuf
6,65784385
6,65784385
add a comment |
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
I have two subfolders under ProgramDataMicrosoft:
HelpLibrary1GB
HelpLibrary22GB
which are help files for old versions of Visual Studio. The parts for ver. 12 and 14 are empty, but ver. 10 and 11 left total of 3GB junk after uninstall. I deleted them manually without causing any problems, since I'm using only ver. 15 of Visual Studio.
answered Nov 22 at 8:58
Paul Jurczak
1093
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
I have two subfolders under ProgramDataMicrosoft:
HelpLibrary1GB
HelpLibrary22GB
which are help files for old versions of Visual Studio. The parts for ver. 12 and 14 are empty, but ver. 10 and 11 left total of 3GB junk after uninstall. I deleted them manually without causing any problems, since I'm using only ver. 15 of Visual Studio.
answered Nov 22 at 8:58
Paul Jurczak
1093
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
up vote
0
down vote
I have two subfolders under ProgramDataMicrosoft:
HelpLibrary1GB
HelpLibrary22GB
which are help files for old versions of Visual Studio. The parts for ver. 12 and 14 are empty, but ver. 10 and 11 left total of 3GB junk after uninstall. I deleted them manually without causing any problems, since I'm using only ver. 15 of Visual Studio.
answered Nov 22 at 8:58
Paul Jurczak
1093
I have two subfolders under ProgramDataMicrosoft:
HelpLibrary1GB
HelpLibrary22GB
which are help files for old versions of Visual Studio. The parts for ver. 12 and 14 are empty, but ver. 10 and 11 left total of 3GB junk after uninstall. I deleted them manually without causing any problems, since I'm using only ver. 15 of Visual Studio.
answered Nov 22 at 8:58
Paul Jurczak
1093
answered Nov 22 at 8:58
Paul Jurczak
1093
answered Nov 22 at 8:58
Paul Jurczak
1093
answered Nov 22 at 8:58
Paul Jurczak
1093
1093
add a comment |
add a comment |
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Unlikely...The files contained in that folder are there for a reason. It sounds like your space is being used by something else if 2.2GB is even worth asking about.
– Ramhound
Jan 30 '13 at 16:58
You can move it to another drive using dir junctions if you're running out of space on your OS drive (see Moving Windows 7 ProgramData folder after installation), but some things will break.
– Karan
Jan 30 '13 at 17:01
Why would you do that? It's obviously used by Windows, as it's created by Windows.
– TFM
Jan 30 '13 at 17:37