14
2
Is it safe to delete C:\Windows\Installer on Windows 10?
Christian Burgos
Posted 2019-01-09T01:05:20.467
Reputation: 259
Is it safe to delete C:\Windows\Installer on Windows 10?
Answers
22
According to Microsoft employee joscon in the Microsoft Technet post "Can you safely delete files in the %windir%\Installer directory?", it is not safe to delete C:\windows\install or any files within it, and the post explains why as well.
I've referenced and quoted the portions of the post that relate to your question and helped make it more clear and concise for the specific subject matter of your inquiry.
Can you safely delete files in the
%windir%\Installerdirectory?The answer is flatly: "No".
Let's talk about why this is a bad idea:
First, it is not supported. If you remove files from this directory and have issues, you may need to reinstall the application to get back to a good state.
This particular directory's job is to act as a cache location for Windows installer based applications. It holds stripped down versions of the Windows installer data files. During application install, update of the application or application removal, this directory is used by the application to confirm the existence of previously installed items to determine the next steps the installer needs to take.
- The files are different from machine to machine, so if you expect to delete the files in the directory and then copy them over from another machine, that would be incorrect. Removing items from here could cause you to have application crashes, or worse, require the re-installation and patching of the application.
The overall idea that you really should not remove items in the Windows directory. We build and test our software based on the existence of specific files and directories. When those files and directories don't exist, bad things can and will happen. However, that is a generalization that usually upsets many people so let's be more specific.
The proper way to alleviate space pressure in this directory is to uninstall any unneeded applications.
Pimp Juice IT
Posted 2019-01-09T01:05:20.467
Reputation: 29 425
6More specifically, deleting these files could make it impossible to later update/uninstall some applications. Been there, done that, would not recommend. – Bob – 2019-01-09T06:58:00.057
4
The C:\Windows\Installer folder is where some but not all applications uninstall files and folders are stored.
If you want to remove applications, use the Control Panel Programs and Features to uninstall them. It is also possible to run Disk Cleanup (cleanmgr.exe) in elevated mode to help free up space.
qi SONG
Posted 2019-01-09T01:05:20.467
Reputation: 214
That is not the location OP is asking about. – music2myear – 2019-01-09T03:53:26.707
4@music2myear Check the screenshot. – CodeIt – 2019-01-09T04:39:42.047
1You are correct, and I apologize. – music2myear – 2019-01-09T17:54:42.663
6No; Those files should not be deleted – Ramhound – 2019-01-09T01:10:08.400
1Wordings such as "is it safe" are not too good, you may want to specify what's "safe" for you. As it stands, one could very well answer "Yes, sure" as it is perfectly safe to delete this folder. Only just, uninstalling some software (if that is needed) gets a bit tedious later. Updating, surprisingly, works fine for most programs, TortoiseSVN being one notable exception (ask how I know). If "WTF, I'll just delete stuff manually" which includes deleting a few reg keys is a workable approach for you, then there's absolutely no problem. – Damon – 2019-01-09T10:07:58.840
The folder is the same and the answer is the same. However, the best answer here is better than the accepted answer there, though they do say the same thing. – music2myear – 2019-01-09T17:59:31.070
1@PimpJuiceIT, your answer is great, as usual. Obviously, I was the person who edited the canonical question tags, because when you cut through our mildly subjective interpretations it essentially is the same question, regardless of the specific OS version. In fairness, even your very high-quality answer is based upon a TechNet blog from 2012, which easily predates the existence of Windows 10. – Run5k – 2019-01-09T18:07:40.120
@Run5k .... Of course, I guess I missed that point—which is a good point. I jumped the gun with this regard now that you mention that. – Pimp Juice IT – 2019-01-09T18:15:14.990
1@PimpJuiceIT, no worries, good sir. If anything, I admire your enthusiasm and passion for doing what is best for the Super User community as a whole! Thanks for the feedback. – Run5k – 2019-01-09T18:48:51.450