Asked by: Nahid Gosalvez
technology and computing antivirus software

What is Windows Installer folder?

23
The Windows Installer Cache, locatedinc:windowsinstaller folder, is used to storeimportantfiles for applications installed using the WindowsInstallertechnology and should not be deleted. Theinstaller cache isused to maintain (remove / update) theapplications and patchesinstalled on the machine.


Similarly, can delete Windows Installer folder?

A: No! The C:WindowsInstaller folderisused by the OS and should never be changed directly. If you wanttoremove applications, use the Control Panel ProgramsandFeatures to uninstall them. It is also possible to run DiskCleanup(cleanmgr.exe) in elevated mode to help free upspace.

Additionally, where is the Windows Installer folder? These installed MSI files are stored inthe<drive>:<WINDIR>Installer folder ontheNotification Server. This location is a hiddensystemfolder. You can open Windows Explorer andenter"windowsinstaller" in the address bar, assumingthedefault path, to go immediately tothatdirectory.

Furthermore, is it safe to delete Windows Installer patch files?

Only files intheC:WindowsInstaller$PatchCache$ directory, calledthebaseline cache, are safe to delete. While clearingthebaseline cache is safe, if you ever want to uninstallapatch in the future, you'll need to download thespecificpatch's installer file.

Can I delete the Windows WinSxS folder?

You can't just delete everything intheWinSxS folder, because some of those files are neededforWindows to run and update reliably. However,withWindows 7 and above you can use the built-inDiskCleanup tool to delete older versionsofWindows updates you no longer need.

Related Question Answers

Jaume Ming

Professional

Where is the Installer folder in Windows 10?

The Windows Installer Cache, locatedinc:windowsinstaller folder, is used to storeimportantfiles for applications installed using the WindowsInstallertechnology and should not be deleted. Theinstaller cache isused to maintain (remove / update) theapplications and patchesinstalled on the machine.

Andersson Bruhofner

Professional

Is it OK to delete installer files?

Assuming you've run the set up to install theprogramsthey contained then yes, you can delete setupfilessafely. The programs will continue to workwithoutthem.

Xiaowei Ruiz Bravo

Professional

How do I clean up the Windows Installer folder?

Run Disk Cleanup (e.g. by typing "clean"inthe Windows start screen and selecting "Free updiskspace by deleting unnecessary files"). Select the drive tobecleaned. Click on "Clean up system files" (andentercredentials if required). Select the drive tobecleaned.

Layla Querencias

Explainer

How do I clean windows installer files?

How to delete old Windows installation files
  1. Right-click the Start button.
  2. Click Search.
  3. Type Disk Cleanup.
  4. Right-click Disk Cleanup.
  5. Click Run as administrator.
  6. Click the dropdown arrow below Drives.
  7. Click the drive that holds your Windows installation.
  8. Click OK.

Idania Roqueñi

Explainer

Can we delete Installer folder in Windows 10?

So you can delete it without causing problemsonyour system. You can't delete it likeanyfolder, though. Instead, you'll have touseWindows 10's Disk Cleanup tool. Scroll down to"PreviousWindows installation(s) and you'll see howmuch spaceyour Windows.old folder uses.

Aleksandre Derjavets

Explainer

What is the purpose of Windows old folder?

Windows.old folder contains alltheimportant files (user data, Program Files, Windowsfiles,etc.) from the older version of Windows that wasinstalledon your computer. Generally speaking, these files servesastemporary files on your computer and are not used by thecurrentWindows installation.

Ganesha Lindlohr

Pundit

Is it safe to delete Windows SoftwareDistribution download?

It is generally speaking safe to deletethecontents of the Software Distribution folder, once allfilesrequired by it have been used for installing WindowsUpdate.Even if you delete files otherwise, they willgetautomatically downloaded.

Faissal Uttke

Pundit

Is it safe to delete .MSP files?

The good news is some of the MSI and MSP filesareorphaned and no longer needed which you can safelydelete.The big problem is identifying them because justdeleting anyMSI or MSP file you choose is a bad ideaas they might berequired for updating, patching or uninstallingexistingapplications.

Minghua Condessa

Pundit

Can I delete .msp files from Windows installer?

C:WindowsInstaller is whereWindowsInstaller stores cached copies of the setuppackages(.msi) and setup patches (.msp) usedfor yourcurrently installed programs. These files arerequired ifyou want to update, modify, or uninstall a program onyourcomputer. Do not delete themblindly.

Roque Sarret

Pundit

What are Windows installer MSP files?

MSP is a file extension for aWindowsInstaller patch file format used byWindows andMicrosoft programs, typically for bug fixes,security updates andhotfixes. Most Windows patches are sentas MSP files.MSP files open in WindowsInstaller.

Motserrat Brinkop

Pundit

Can I delete Windows old?

To delete this folder the easy way, usetheWindows Disk Cleanup tool. In Windows 10, clicktheStart button, search for “Disk cleanup,” andthenlaunch the Disk Cleanup app. And remember, Windowswillautomatically remove the Windows.old folder amonthafter you upgrade, anyway.

Kum Feigler

Teacher

What is a Windows Installer patch?

A Windows Installer patch (.msp file) is afileused to deliver updates to Windows Installerapplications.The patch is a self-contained package thatcontains all theinformation required to update the application. Theother transformadds information that the installer uses forpatchingfiles.

Wonda Schoenenleben

Teacher

What is Patchcache?

Patchcache in Windows 10 and other windowsversionstores some patch files for the programs you haveinstalled.Sometimes programs require additional patches duringinstallationwhich are installed in the patchcache folderand in order touninstall or repair the programs in future youmight need thosefiles.

Karamjit Pion

Teacher

What is a .msi file?

MSI is an installer package fileformatused by Windows. Its name comes from the program's originaltitle,Microsoft Installer, which has since changed to WindowsInstaller.MSI files are used for installation, storage, andremoval ofprograms.

Aleksandrov Lizagoyen

Teacher

How do I patch a file in Windows?

Apply patches on Windows
  1. Menu > windows > open perspective > others >teamsynchronizing.
  2. Open the patch file, select all text and copy it toclipboard(Ctrl+ C)
  3. Menu > project > apply patch.
  4. Select clipboard, click next, select the file you want topatch,click finish or next to setup patching options.

Mariflor Enyagin

Reviewer

What WinSxS Windows 10?

The short answer is no. However, there are ways toreducethe size of the WinSxS folder. The componentstore(WinSxS folder) contains all the components thatmake-upWindows to allow you operate your system. Thesecomponentsare kept to rollback any problematic change or to repaira filethat becomes corrupted.

Iziar Vrinceanu

Reviewer

How do I get rid of pagefile sys and Hiberfil SYS Windows 10?

Steps to remove pagefile.sys in windows 10
  1. Next, go to System and Security.
  2. Go to System.
  3. Next, click on Advanced System Settings located on theleftpanel.
  4. Under the Advanced tab, select the PerformanceSettingsoption.
  5. The Performance Options open and select the Advanced tab.

Baha Zumloh

Reviewer

How do I move Windows folder to another drive?

To make the move, open C:Users, double-clickyouruser profile folder, and then right-click any of thedefaultsubfolders there and click Properties. On the Location tab,clickMove, and then select the new location forthatfolder.

Magina Iriberri

Reviewer

How do I find MSI?

To get the MSI file from your EXE installer, youneedto:
  1. Log on to a computer where the software (the installer ofwhichyou would like to access) is not installed.
  2. Run Windows Command Prompt (cmd) (in Windows 10: open theStartmenu, type cmd and press Enter) and go to the folder whereyour EXEfile is located.

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8th June, 2020

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