i386 files

[alan-r]

is it safe to delete the i386 service pack files from windows i was asked to do this months ago when for some reason beyond me i could not get my isp up and running,the help line asked me to do this and did, it didn't cure the problem but did no harm either so what are they kept for . cheers

[rojash]

They're kept so that they can be uninstalled or rolled back - if you got to Add or Remove Programs, you will find an option Show updates, which if checked, lists them along with all the other software that can be uninstalled.

There's no reason why you shouldn't delete them periodically, just don't do it within a few days of installing an update - make sure that all is stable first.

Having said that - I can't think of any reason why your ISP's help desk would ask you to delete them - all they do is take up space.

[kempie]

Updates are not usually stored in an i386 folder. Each update is applied to the OS system folder(s) and the old files and uninstall information are usually assigned a distinct folder of the type $NtUninstallKBxxxxxx$

It is standard practice for system installers to include the i386 folder when they do not supply a Windows installation CD, or as a convenience so that Windows does not prompt for the CD when installing optional Windows applications.