1000's of Unextracted files.

I have literally 1000's of unextracted files on my new laptop. At least 3,000 I estimate.

Most of them are under C:\Windows\I386 and can be found by searching for *.*_ on your C: drive.
Note that there is an underscore after the *.* (asterisk dot asterisk) or (star dot star if you prefer). You must include the underscore for this search to find these files.

I assume these were originally copied when XP SP2 was loaded, and have been
extracted to the full suffixes when XP SP2 OS was installed.

My question is:-
Can I back these up (to a DVD, or CD), and then delete them?

I can for safety, move these to a new directory like c:\I386unextract
for a short while to see if their moving makes any difference.

I assume it won't, as they are unextracted files anyhow, and of no use as they are now,
except as a library.

Any suggestions, criticisms (constructive please), or recommendations will be
appreciated. Bazza

PS: Do a search using *.*_ on your PC, you may be unpleasantly surprised.
I'd like to know roughly how many you find. Baz

 

Most, if not all, major OEMs include compressed files of the OS on the drive.

 

Thanks Adrynalyne. I thought that was the case. 3000+ of the bl**dy things. I'm gonna move them and back them up. I hate extra stuff on my PC that serves no "immediate" purpose. If I ever need to expand/ uncompress them I can. I can always google for them as a last resort. Bazza

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Yeah, go ahead, if they are all in that i386 directory. Nothing in the registry ties them to that location, as they arent the actual files used to install Windows.

If you are moving ones that are on the recovery partition, beware. That could cause future problems, if you recover your computer in that manner.

 

Bl**dy TOSHIBA. 3000+ for me. Bazza

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Holy Cow! You think YOU have files!?
I have over 5,000

 

Sorry for you, but glad I'm not the only one.
Have you got any plans for them, or are you going to leave them alone?
Bazza

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I think I'll wait and see what happens when YOU remove YOURS first...he he he.
They're NOT compressed on my eMachines.
I think I'll search for more info about messing with them before I do anything.

 

Bazza...I think I'll just "Let Sleeping Dogs Lie"...

http://ask-leo.com/can_i_move_or_delete_my_i386_directory_to_free_up_some_space.html

"I deleted the folder, and have a disk, but my sound card doesnt seem to work now, my windows sounds still work, but the sound for anything else doesn't, its a sound blaster card, and I assume it has to do with the folder being gone, the volume adjustment thats part of the sound card (when opened) won't open and says it cannot find its driver, yet the drivers are just fine, I was thinking it was linked directly to a driver in the I386 folder, I was wondering how I would go about getting just that folder back with the installation disk?"

Posted by: JJ at February 11, 2006 03:35 PM

Toni

 

Thanks for the warning, but mine are all compressed files, and can't be used for anything until they are extracted/uncompressed.
I won't be removing anything that has a proper suffix, ie *.dll instead of *.dl_ .

I think the quote below related to expanded files in I386 folder, and that is why JJ got into trouble. I'm not about to do that.

Been around computers too long to fall for that little "gotcha". Bazza

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Well, I personally do not have that folder on my computer.

I'd rename the folder, to x386, then reboot. If nothing bad happens, delete the bloody thing.

 

over 5000 files.

I have a toshiba laptop as well

 

My understanding from all I read is that although these files may not be needed immediately (so moving or deleting them would not matter)
They MAY be needed in the FUTURE.
I'm leaving mine alone.
I don't have the XP CD...only the recovery CD supplied by eMachines
Using it would put back all the "crap" I uninstalled when I first got my puter.....no way I'm doing all that AGAIN.

 

from what i understand they are basicly files copied from a windows xp cd and service packs. so delete it. but beware if you ever add new things you may have to insert your cd. and if this bugs you and/or you have no cd dont delete it. but if you do make sure to post somthing and tell us how it went. also maybe uninstall a driver and see if wndows will pick it back up.

 

Don't blame you, Toni_1947, I've got a brand new virginal, unused, copy of XP Pro (with SP2) that was supplied with my laptop.

XP SP2 was already preloaded, so I can go to the CD if need be.

I have moved 5524 files from C:\windows\I386 Folder to c:\I386unextracted folder earlier today. I've rebooted my machine a couple of times and am now, obviously, using it, with no ill effects so far.

I do not expect any problems, as mentioned earlier, lots of times, they are unextracted files, not extracted versions. Do not move any extracted files from C:\windows\I386 or you will run into trouble, if you are thinking of doing this.

I will leave them in c:\I386unextracted folder for at least a week and then back them up and delete them. I don't need the space, just do not like unneeded files on my PC. They just add to full backup times and space. Next step will be to get rid of lots of duplicated files that I have noticed, but that is a more dangerous exercise and will need more care than this relatively simple exercise. Bazza

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Thought I had a brand new unused copy of XP SP2 from Toshiba/Microsoft. When I finally opened the package yesterday it turned out to be a booklet "For distribution witha new TOSHIBA PC only". Great, I originally thought, it's stiff, that's because it's got a CD in it. Turns out to be stiff cardboard only inside. Not very impressed. Going to see my computer shop (Toshiba agent) and find out what goes on.

Anyway, I've backed up all 5524 files to a CD and a DVD (2 being better than 1, I hope) and deleted the files. All OK so far. Bazza