Programs Folder -- What Don't I Touch?

[aimeeandbeatles]

What folders in the programs folder do I not touch, if I want Windows XP to work properly?

I'm just cleaning it up -- lots of empty folders, is huge mess!

Thanks.

 

[Jerrymander]

Er, you can just leave them all there. I assume you mean /Program Files/ ?

None of those files are central to Windows operating properly, and the kid gloves Windows treats its users with will stop you from deleting anything. A popup window will come up saying "Operation cannot be completed: This file is vital to Windows." or something to that effect.

 

[Zelig]

If you have to ask, leave them all.

 

[aimeeandbeatles]

I was only wondering, because sometimes empty folders are left behind, with files in it, it drives me nuts.

Thanks.

I like to think I'm a geek, but you make me feel like a noob. Heh.

 

[Speedo]

If you have to ask, leave them all.

What he said.

 

[Shadylookin]

I was only wondering, because sometimes empty folders are left behind, with files in it, it drives me nuts.

they're not empty if they have stuff in them.

I recommend leaving them alone and instead using control panel's "add remove programs" to uninstall stuff from there. That will properly delete programs and remove crap from your registry.

I like to think I'm a geek, but you make me feel like a noob. Heh.

geeks don't use windows

 

[Cutlass]

It's the Windows file that you don't touch unless you are certain what you are doing.

 

[GoodGame]

If it's folders from uninstalling programs, then be sure to use the Add or Remove Programs wizard underneath the Control Panel. That should do a more thorough job.

 

[Mise]

If the folders are empty, you can delete them. If the folders belong to a program that you have successfully and fully uninstalled, you can probably delete them, but this will probably delete e.g. saved games or settings, personalisation, that kind of thing.

I would suggest that you just don't open the Program Files folder... There is really no reason why you should go in there. There are more interesting things to do on your computer than sniff around your C:\ drive.

 

[Jerrymander]

Yeah, like play around with deltree.