[winxp] GUIDE: Making your windows folder smaller!

[Patrick Hool]

1 more way 2 make windows folder smaller and get more free disk space - is running periodically Dupe Checker Pro.

It's the best duplicate files finder and disk cleaner. From the analog applications I tried, Dupe Checker showed to me the most wanted result and stability work.

Some useful features is - finding dupes by name, content, size, byte-by-byte...

Check it on: http://www.atory.com/Dupe_Checker_PRO/

or get on Download.com: http://www.download.com/Dupe-Checker-Pro/3...tml?tag=lst-0-6

[raskren]

Hasn't anyone noticed that this information was stolen from iamnotageek.com?

http://www.iamnotageek.com/a/69-p1.php

[Bold_Fortune]

That's a pretty big accusation, my friend. Are you saying NeoMayem stole his guide?

https://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=80511

Or, I stole my guide?

http://www.graphixanstuff.com/Forum/index.php?showtopic=1692

Did you see the date on that page you posted?

Written By: Private Pyle

Date: 5-31-04

Did you notice the the date that particular member of that forum joined it?

Join Date: Apr 2004

Looks to me like someone posted NeoMayhem's guide on that site without giving him credit for it...and you're just out to start trouble, my friend, without checking the facts.

[Slimy]

raskren you got OWNED

check your facts like bold_fortune said

he's been around here much longer than you have

[ev0|]

Theres no need for the childish "j00 got pwn3d" style comments people.

[plata]

i am using windows 2000 pro with sp4

there is a folder Installer in the windows directory

can i delete it?

the content are:

 Volume in drive D is IBM2
 Volume Serial Number is 1461-7B40

 Directory of D:\WIN2K\Installer

01/21/2004  01:37a              65,536 100f3907.mst
10/13/2004  01:58a             611,328 1105ea.msi
06/09/2001  04:48a             251,392 1136c4e.msi
03/21/2003  10:53p           2,262,016 148a41f.msi
07/11/2003  02:52a           2,268,672 14edda.msi
02/05/2003  01:19a           1,479,168 1661f9cb.msi
06/08/2001  04:53p             262,656 189f9.msi
06/11/2003  08:15p             756,736 1b8edd2a.msi
05/06/2004  05:21p              65,536 2530dd9.mst
06/11/2004  02:07a               3,584 2e1c12c3.mst
08/11/2004  07:12p           2,803,200 2e1c12c6.msi
08/12/2004  12:13a             378,368 2f3198c8.msi
07/03/2003  07:29p             785,408 353619.msi
10/13/2004  08:55p           7,466,496 40f65b6.msi
12/06/2003  02:59p           2,539,008 425ea0cd.msp
12/15/2003  02:23a           1,540,096 429bea39.msi
01/21/2004  01:39a              65,536 52a8024.mst
05/06/2004  05:18p              65,536 52a826e.mst
11/18/2004  03:36p              53,248 5643b.mst
08/02/2002  10:46p          27,412,992 5a0fa.msp
08/02/2002  10:46p             787,968 5a0fb.msp
08/02/2002  10:46p             628,224 5a0fc.msp
08/02/2002  10:46p              81,920 5a0fd.msp
08/02/2002  10:46p             556,544 5a0fe.msp
08/02/2002  10:46p              57,856 5a0ff.msp
08/02/2002  10:46p             526,848 5a100.msp
08/02/2002  10:46p             754,688 5a101.msp
08/02/2002  10:46p           2,501,632 5a102.msp
08/02/2002  10:46p             698,368 5a103.msp
08/02/2002  10:46p             426,496 5a104.msp
08/02/2002  10:46p           3,084,800 5a105.msp
08/02/2002  10:46p             115,200 5a106.msp
07/18/2004  08:58p           1,213,440 6489d.msi
07/08/2004  12:09a             999,936 64a5c68.msi
04/05/2003  11:55p             751,104 6aeac.msi
10/13/2004  01:37a           1,988,096 6f3dc.msi
09/09/2003  11:31a             792,576 a2326.msi
11/18/2004  03:38p              53,248 ab63bd2.mst
05/22/2003  09:10p             522,752 b84caff.msi
04/24/2004  03:49p           1,390,592 d9f1364.msi
08/04/2001  07:45p           2,332,672 dd2ce.msi
06/01/2004  01:59a             470,016 fd64a45.msi
12/11/2002  07:39p          10,995,712 WMEncoder.msi
08/04/2001  09:43p      <DIR>          {00010409-78E1-11D2-B60F-006097C998E7}
07/02/2003  06:42p      <DIR>          {0FFCBC14-E43C-4DD8-9F48-7F6997149A3E}
12/15/2003  02:23a      <DIR>          {5058B085-AA79-41E5-A726-681B4C4B846E}
07/18/2004  08:58p      <DIR>          {63CB7620-B423-4BF1-A7E4-75BB8B64740E}
07/11/2003  02:52a      <DIR>          {6BE2A4A4-99FB-48ED-AE1E-4E850389F804}
06/08/2001  04:53p      <DIR>          {6F716D8C-398F-11D3-85E1-005004838609}
10/13/2004  01:37a      <DIR>          {8855FF30-19CE-4CB1-A654-87B38369CCE1}
10/13/2004  01:58a      <DIR>          {9541FED0-327F-4DF0-8B96-EF57EF622F19}
09/07/2003  11:18p      <DIR>          {AC76BA86-7AD7-1033-7B44-000000000001}
10/13/2004  08:55p      <DIR>          {C3C538E5-524C-4253-AA74-0EEEF34990EA}
06/01/2004  01:59a      <DIR>          {D48EAA77-E526-41EB-894C-BD6A17EABD95}
02/05/2003  01:19a      <DIR>          {E38C00D0-A68B-4318-A8A6-F7D4B5B1DF0E}
09/09/2003  11:31a      <DIR>          {E9F81423-211E-46B6-9AE0-38568BC5CF6F}
              44 File(s)     82,867,200 bytes
              13 Dir(s)     880,861,184 bytes free

[Slimy]

looks to me like you can :yes:

but, just to be safe, copy it to another directory and if something doesn't work copy it bak ;)

[Bold_Fortune]

I'm not familiar with Windows 2000 Pro with SP4, but those *.msi file should have to do with your installing stuff...and importantly, after the stuff is installed, uninstalling that same stuff.

In XP the *.msi files are in C:\WINDOWS\Installer, and other installation files are in C:\Program Files\InstallShield Installation Information...and I usually leave those on my installation. Although, I could remove them if I wanted to uninstall my stuff manually.

My full 7-PART Guide For Slimming Down XP-SP2 is at Jan's site. She has it pinned and all in one piece for easy reference...

http://www.graphixanstuff.com/Forum/index.php?showtopic=1692

[Winston]

For the first tip "c:\windows\system32\dllcache\"

I'd recommend doing it via command prompt, it's quicker

SFC /PURGECACHE

would do the trick.

[.:Daemon:.]

1. c:\windows\system32\dllcache\

NOTE: DON?T DELETE THIS FOLDER, JUST ALL THE FILES INSIDE! This folder uses a LOT of hard drive space, it holds a backup of every system file that windows uses. Deleting this will cause a SFC error when you replace a system file instead of windows putting back the original file. For people who want to mod there system, this is a good thing.

..the heck? There's no dllcache folder in my system32.:wacko:o:

Anyways, nice guide. It took about a second of my boot time. That's not much, but at least it's something;);)

[Bold_Fortune]

A very nice gal in England created and is hosting a forum for Bold_Fortune. (That's me.) Why, I have know idea.

I wasn't that interested at first, and thanked her for the kind thought. But then I thought, what if I could create a place where people could go to learn and have fun?

The Bold_Fortune Forum isn't going to have a lot of rules. There aren't going to be armed guards with badges at the doors censoring your posts. I'm not there to supervise, nor to baby sit. I'm there to have fun, to learn, and maybe help a few people with their computer questions.

I'll be putting up my complete Slimming Down XP Guide, where you can reference it in it's entirety.

Anyway, take a look. Join in if you like. You have a question, don't be afraid to ask. It's just getting started, so don't expect a lot right now. But, just wait...it's going to be a fun place...without a lot of rules...but with some good information...and some good people.

http://www.hollow-refuge.net/Bold/

[Bold_Fortune]

I finally got my Guide To Slimming Down Windows XP in its completed form setup on my site. I'll be there should you have any questions...

http://www.hollow-refuge.net/Bold/viewtopic.php?t=22

Hope you find it helpful being all in one piece and all in one place like it is.

[Slimy]

thx bold, good work :)

[Bold_Fortune]

Thanks, slimy. I can never hear that enough...and usually don't. lol

[Nelsinho]

I finally got my Guide To Slimming Down Windows XP in its completed form setup on my site.  I'll be there should you have any questions...

http://www.hollow-refuge.net/Bold/viewtopic.php?t=22

Hope you find it helpful being all in one piece and all in one place like it is.

585265593[/snapback]

very very good job man (Y) I can see more deep in the morning and try it thanks (Y)

[Bold_Fortune]

Site update...

A very nice gal in England created and is hosting The Bold_Fortune Forums. (That's me.) Why? I have know idea.

I wasn't much interested at first, and thanked her for the kind gesture. Then I thought, what if I could create a place where people could go to learn and have fun..but made it different from other forums?

The Bold_Fortune Forums isn't going to have a lot of rules. There aren't going to be armed guards with badges at the doors censoring your posts. I'm not there to supervise, or babysit youngsters. I'm there to have fun, to learn, and maybe help a few people with their computer questions.

2McAbre is there lending his computer expertise.

I put up my complete Slimming Down Windows XP Guide, where you can reference it in it's entirety.

Anyway, take a look. Join in if you like. Have a question? Don't be afraid to ask.

It's just getting started, so don't expect too much right now. But just wait. It's going to be a fun place. Without a lot of rules. With some good information offered. Some good people to talk with.

You can even cuss if you enjoy cussing. No one is going to delete your post. You can even complain about things that really bug you in the "I'm Mad As Hell, And I'm Not Going To Take It Anymore!" section.

There's even a special section called "The Great Computing Debates." Where perris can argue freely the benefits of his way of setting the pagefile.

And, feel free to give a plug to your favorite site in the "Shamelessly Give Your Site A Good Plug" section.

NeoWin has been incredibly good--and certainly open-minded enough--to allow me the freedom I needed to hammer out some of my Slimming Down Windows XP Guide here on this wonderful forum. I sincerely hope they feel free to promote their incredible site there, too. I know I always shall. Thanks, NeoWin.

http://www.hollow-refuge.net/Bold/

[smashguy]

Thanks for the guide.... Awesome work !!!! (Y)

[iron2000]

Deleting stuff following your guide seems like the files for Active Directories Service are needed for the Services Admin Tool to work.

[Bold_Fortune]

Deleting stuff following your guide seems like the files for Active Directories Service are needed for the Services Admin Tool to work.

585314980[/snapback]

Not according to my installation. iron2000. I can't say what your problem with accessing Services could be, though. I'm okay in that area.

These are the files related to Active Directory Service:

Active Directories Service

Deleted these 3 files from C:\WINDOWS\system32\wbem

dsprov.dll

dsprov.mfl

dsprov.mof

Deleted these 11 files from C:\WINDOWS\system32

activeds.dll

activeds.tlb

adsldp.dll

adsldpc.dll

adsmsext.dll

adsnt.dll

dsprop.dll

dsquery.dll

dssec.dat

dssec.dll

dsuiext.dll

As I was telling someone on my site who was having a problem connecting to his network after removing Active Directories Service...activeds.dll is ADs Router Layer DLL. It doesn't appear to have anything to do with the Services Administrative Tools. It's a Service in and of itself.

[cork1958]

In regards to the  "dllcache folder inside system32", you need to go to "Folder Options" -----"View" and tick the box that lets you see hidden system files...

Then check out System32 folder for that elusive dllcache

584853074[/snapback]

I have this thread in my saved topics and had noticed it back on the front page yesterday after somebosy replied to it. Made me decide to browse through it again. I have now checked 3 of my machines and NONE of them have the dllcache folder. Is this because I have tweaked the registry to always unload dll's?

To be honest, I have looked this over several times, but just can't bring myself to remove the items suggested. I believe I keep my systems well cleaned out, tweaked, and managed and space isn't really an issue.

I don't see a whole lot of replies where somebody has actually gone through and done everything suggested here. Many of them say thanks, but I'll check it later. Should make a pole question out of that!

[Bold_Fortune]

It has nothing to do with that tweak to Always Unload Dlls. I don't have a clue why you can't find the dllcache folder on three different machines. They are all running Windows XP, correct?

You say, "To be honest, I have looked this over several times, but just can't bring myself to remove the items suggested."

Then don't. No one is telling you to remove any files. Removing files isn't for everybody.

Unfortunately, the discussions we have here about files--just like the file removing guide itself--get lost because the thread moves along so fast. It's become a really long thread.

If you've noticed, this is a very big topic. I have other such threads about Slimming Down XP on other forums, too. They too number in thousands of hits also. Their questions and responses also make them very long threads.

What I have done on this new site of mine is place my entire Slimming Down Windows XP Guide in one place, and locked it to keep it's integrity. Then I created below another forum entitled, "Discussions About Slimming Down Windows XP" made specifically for questions like these about the guide.

http://hollow-refuge.net/Bold/index.php?si...0d18d32fc118c4b

[simonallison]

you can actually delete contents of C:\windows\softwaredistribution as this contains windows update downloaded by windows update.

[ehlo]

Thanks, great guide

[kilopapa]

I wondered if anyone knows about the "\windows\installer" folder. It has many of the original program .msi files. Seems like you wouldn't need these if you had the original files.

Does anyone know when Windows might use these?

Thanks, kilopapa

[McGazza]

I finally got my Guide To Slimming Down Windows XP in its completed form setup on my site.  I'll be there should you have any questions...

http://www.hollow-refuge.net/Bold/viewtopic.php?t=22

Hope you find it helpful being all in one piece and all in one place like it is.

585265593[/snapback]

Nice guide man :D