Solved is it safe to remove these directories?

Which directories are not safe to remove in this list? which directories can I remove safely more than this list?

I would not advise it.
No offense meant, but I have read a number of your threads and fail to understand why you want to hobble the OS as much as you do by taking things to such extremes.

Most of them... No. Maybe OneDriveTemp if you already removed OneDrive - but some of those (like TEMP - which are "essential/needed" by many apps to function properly) can cause all kinds of troubles - if removed.

I'm with @glasskuter on this.

You seem to be unsure about all those folders, that should be a red flag to leave them alone. Many of these are used by the OS to run itself, like the temp folders. Your computer isn't going to run any faster afterwards if at all. Finally some of those folders are probably protected and may be very difficult to delete or tamper with.

If the OP wants to do this, I would do a backup of some kind like a Macrium Reflect backup or similar.

Re the Winsxs folder and its contents MS state this.



from:

glasskuter said:

I would not advise it.
No offense meant, but I have read a number of your threads and fail to understand why you want to hobble the OS as much as you do by taking things to such extremes.

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It's a rite of passage. You learn exciting new Windows tricks, and then you're on an adrenaline rush to collect all the trophies. Seen it, been there.

The smart ones will eventually learn the 80/20 rule.

80% of the "tricks" are crap simply because you didn't spend enough time researching what they actually accomplish, or even bother testing if it made a material difference or not. But "it feels good amirite?"

garlin said:

It's a rite of passage.

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without using a modicum of common sense.

There are too many 'gurus' who post on YouTube and/or Reddit and various forums about extreme modifications to UEFI bios, Windows et al that may not work on other systems. Unfortunately, these people get a following.

Live and learn.

glasskuter said:

I would not advise it.
No offense meant, but I have read a number of your threads and fail to understand why you want to hobble the OS as much as you do by taking things to such extremes.

Click to expand...

I’m just learning and testing these on a VM. See my “maintenance” and “optimizer” scripts on github. I have to make sure these scripts will not harm my main machine. I’m just testing every command just for fun!
I’m not using youtube or any unreliable sources, 99% of my scripts are based on this forum comments.

Good god, why do people always want to do this? They mess up their systems and then they are back here crying that their system won't boot or update or whatever.

I have little sympathy for those that purposely hobble their systems and post about it. Then others see the thread and think "What a great idea!" and bork their systems too.

@Marcus Vinicus hit the nail on the head. There are too many people making these "suggestions" and causing people to mess things up. Windows has the files and services that are needed to run. I would suggest turning things off that you don't like, say like OneDrive, rather than just deleting stuff wholesale.

But you do you.

Cause & effect. I say go for it, but I am already aware that you’re using a VM. This is not to say that I don’t read your posts without thinking “This member is loco”

Not sure if the following is of any help to you. There are paths you ask about that I would probably never delete.

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(At your own risk)

Listed in order of your spoiler list:



qmgr*.dat files (first 2 locations in your list)
Background job queue files used by BITS.
- Not recommended to delete unless troubleshooting update/download issues.

WebCache folder
Stores browser cache/history for IE/Edge.
- Generally safe to delete; will be recreated.

Temp folder (LocalAppData)
User-level temp files.
- Safe to delete. Might clear app caches or incomplete operations.

Applications folder (ProgramData)
Shared app data storage.
- Not safe to delete. May break installed programs.

Package Cache folder
Installer cache for app repair/uninstall.
- Not safe to delete. Can break ability to repair/update software.

USOPrivate\UpdateStore folder
Used by Windows Update Orchestrator.
- Not safe to delete. Might disrupt update functionality.

USOShared\Logs folder
Contains logs from update orchestration.
- Safe to delete. Just removes logs.

$GetCurrent folder
Temporary upgrade folder from a past upgrade.
- Safe to delete if you're not planning to roll back.

$SysReset folder
Created during a system reset.
- Safe to delete. Contains only logs.

$Windows.~BT folder
Upgrade setup files and logs.
- Safe to delete if Windows is running fine and rollback isn’t needed.

$Windows.~WS folder
Another upgrade setup folder.
- Safe to delete under the same conditions as above.

$WinREAgent folder
Recovery-related folder for reset/repair.
- Not safe to delete. Used for recovery and reset features.

OneDriveTemp folder
Temporary storage for OneDrive.
- Safe to delete if OneDrive is not actively syncing.

Recovery folder
Contains system recovery tools and images.
- Not safe to delete. Critical for system recovery.

%temp% variable
User temp files.
- Safe to delete. May clear in-use or orphaned temp files.

Logs folder (Windows directory)
General system/service logs.
- Safe to delete. Might lose log history, but no functional impact.

Installer\$PatchCache$ folder
Stores patch data for installed programs.
- Not recommended to delete. Could break repair/uninstall.

SoftwareDistribution\Download folder
Windows Update files.
- Safe to delete. Windows will re-download if needed.

LogFiles folder (System32)
Various log files.
- Safe to delete. Like other logs, just loses history.

winevt\Logs folder
Event Viewer log storage.
- Safe to delete, but will clear system and security logs.

Temp folder (Windows directory)
System-level temp files.
- Safe to delete unless files are actively in use.

WinSxS\Backup folder
Component store backups.
- Not recommended to delete manually. Use Disk Cleanup instead.

Sheikh said:

Which directories are not safe to remove in this list? which directories can I remove safely more than this list?

Spoiler: Directories

Batch:

del "%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Application Data\Microsoft\Network\Downloader\qmgr*.dat" /s /f /q
del "%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Microsoft\Network\Downloader\qmgr*.dat" /s /f /q
del "%LocalAppData%\Microsoft\Windows\WebCache" /s /f /q
del "%LocalAppData%\Temp" /s /f /q
rd "%ProgramData%\Applications" /s /q
rd "%ProgramData%\Package Cache" /s /q
rd "%ProgramData%\USOPrivate\UpdateStore" /s /f /q
del "%ProgramData%\USOShared\Logs" /s /f /q
rd "%SystemDrive%\$GetCurrent" /s /q
rd "%SystemDrive%\$SysReset" /s /q
rd "%SystemDrive%\$Windows.~BT" /s /q
rd "%SystemDrive%\$Windows.~WS" /s /q
rd "%SystemDrive%\$WinREAgent" /s /q
rd "%SystemDrive%\OneDriveTemp" /s /q
rd "%SystemDrive%\Recovery" /s /q
del "%temp%" /s /f /q
del "%WINDIR%\Logs" /s /f /q
del "%WINDIR%\Installer\$PatchCache$" /s /f /q
del "%WINDIR%\SoftwareDistribution\Download" /s /f /q
del "%WINDIR%\System32\LogFiles" /s /f /q
del "%WINDIR%\System32\winevt\Logs" /s /f /q
del "%WINDIR%\Temp" /s /f /q
del "%WINDIR%\WinSxS\Backup" /s /f /q

Click to expand...

Do it, and let us know how you make out.

If I may ask, what is the intent behind wanting to delete these folders? Are you running extremely short on space and desperately need to free up space?

If we have a clear understanding of the goal, then maybe we can suggest some alternatives.

hsehestedt said:

If I may ask, what is the intent behind wanting to delete these folders? Are you running extremely short on space and desperately need to free up space?

If we have a clear understanding of the goal, then maybe we can suggest some alternatives.

Click to expand...

Read post # 11 above by the OP.

hsehestedt said:

If I may ask, what is the intent behind wanting to delete these folders? Are you running extremely short on space and desperately need to free up space?

If we have a clear understanding of the goal, then maybe we can suggest some alternatives.

Click to expand...

Most of them are cache folders, which are designed to fill up again. Unless there's a known software error, it's a losing battle over time.

The size of Windows event logs can be addressed by setting a max file limit, and the defined overflow action.
PowerShell cmdlets for Clear-EventLog, Limit-EventLog.

A third are temporary folders created by a Windows install, upgrade, or running MCT. They're rarely seen unless something went wrong.

The only advantage to "clearing the decks" is if you need enough room to download and install a specific Windows update.

I"m probably different to many folks here. I'd rather use my computer to pursue my interests, that doesn't include going on relentless efficiency drives to make Windows 'work better', whatever that is.

Marcus Vinicus said:

I"m probably different to many folks here. I'd rather use my computer to pursue my interests, that doesn't include going on relentless efficiency drives to make Windows 'work better', whatever that is.

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I am the same. I have a PC because I need a PC. I use my PC for work & play, I have zero time to be screwing with anything but the obvious. I use Brinks tutorials for the obvious stuff and I don’t go looking for ways to create the ultimate setup. It works already.

But people will do what people want to do, I say live & learn via cause & effect. I haven’t tried optimising an OS since Windows 3.1. I don’t have that much free time on my hands.

I rely on Shawn's Reg Tweaks and remove things that can be safely removed but even then I backup, I really do hate to do clean installs as I see it as wasted time and energy, I am slowly running out of both.