My Windows Folder is over 4GB, Can I delete Files in this Folder?

Hi,

I'm trying to free up some much needed room on my C drive.

I have run clean up apps like CC cleaner, but it's still not freeing up enough room.

I've looked at C:\Windows and found the following:

Size on disk: 4.14 GB (4,447,339,669 bytes)

Contains: 27, 777 files 1,623 folders

Which of these files can be deleted?

Or because they are windows files, should I leave them on the hard drive?

Your feedback will be most appreciated.

thanks

MC

 

apologies if this is in the wrong section.....

couldn't find a correct place to stick this.

 

What version of windows are you running? Windows can be c drive consuming and depending on which version you are using dictates how much space it will take. I'm running xp home and I have 2600 windows folders and is using 8 gigs. Telling you which can be deleted (in my opinion) can only be done if we know what you have in that folder.
Have you tried to go to add and remove programs and see which programs you do not use? This may be a safer option than randomly deleting folders in windows..

 

Thanks for the swift response.

I'm using windows XP home edition.

Thats a good point you make, i'll try cross referencing by what programs i have installed and the files in the windows folder.

Therefore, the programs that are not installed and yet have files in that folder can be deleted?

 

To be clear I'm not telling you to delete anything in the windows folder, even if you cross reference them to whats in add and remove.
I suggested To free up space safely go to add and remove and get rid of the programs you do not need from there. Windows has always intertwined programs together and if you delete something in the windows folder you may inadvertently delete a part of an important program which will cause you more headaches than the satisfaction of an extra couple gigs of space.

 

Your Windows folder does not sound like it is taking up excessive space. I, personally, would be very hesitant to delete anything from that folder. Is there anywhere else you can look for space hogging files? A lot of movie or music files are the easiest to write to cd/dvd and delete.

Using Add/Remove programs is the way to go to delete unused programs not cross-referencing. Programs put files across your computer and deleting random files can cause problems. Add/Remove keeps track of where files are stored when you install a program and can delete the appropriate files if you decide to remove a program.

 

My C:\Windows folder is 1.69GB so4GB does sound a tad high. Have you installed an SP recently? Still, like the others said, leave well enough alone in that folder unless you know what to do.

 

mines 18 gb with 72690 files so shut up and stop whinning. damn vista 64 bit. i hate it

 

Winsxs folder is probably taking up most of the room, but that's the side-by-side stuff that is needed.

Otherwise 4G for Windows is about right.

 

For comparison, my C:\Windows is :
2,032 Folders
25,044 Files and
4.85 Gigs in size.

XP Pro with SP3.

Bazza