Apple Application Support folders

I recently came across two folders named Apple Applicaion Support and Apple Software Update. In Add/Remove it staets that the first one os rarely used and the second was last used 10/10/11. I googled these files and it seems they're needed for iTunes and iPhone, etc. I have no Apple apps installed [got this computer from a relative]. My question is since the Software Update was used on 10/10/11 do these files effect anything else other then Apple installs or was it used to update the first and can I safely remove them?. I have XP Home SP3. Thanx in advance.