Software Distribution folder safe to delete?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Joe727
  • Start date Start date
Joe,

I was trying to figure out why you had a Software Distribution folder in the
first place.

What's in the Software Distribution folder?

SP2 might be the key here.

Product Name : Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2)
Search for... Software Distribution folder
http://tinyurl.com/5efx6
 
Here's what I've found.

The %windir%\SoftwareDistribution folder was added in Windows XP SP2.
That's F:\WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution for you.

I have no earthly idea if you should keep the Software Distribution folder
or not.

I have not installed SP2, so I have no idea what's in the folder, besides
what your screenshot shows.
 
It's loaded with files and is 483 MB.

Joe

Wesley Vogel said:
Here's what I've found.

The %windir%\SoftwareDistribution folder was added in Windows XP SP2.
That's F:\WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution for you.

I have no earthly idea if you should keep the Software Distribution folder
or not.

I have not installed SP2, so I have no idea what's in the folder, besides
what your screenshot shows.

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.
Wes

In
Click to expand...
 
Joe,

Found some more info. I do not use AutoUpdate so there is no
SoftwareDistribution folder on my machine.

According to my experts....

The SoftwareDistribution folder is AutoUpdate.

What is probably making it huge is SP2.

Everything in the F:\SoftwareDistribution\Download folder can be deleted.
If needed it will come back.

If you delete the SoftwareDistribution\DataStore folder, you will
lose your WU5 installation history.

Note that you will need to stop the "Automatic Updates" service before
you are allowed to delete the DataStore folder.
 
Ok - thanks for the info Wes. I don't use automatic updates, but I do go to
Windows Update. I'll copy the folder to the desktop, delete it in the
Windows directory and see what happens.

Joe
 
Deleted the Software Distribution folder. You were right about the Windows
Update history. No big deal since I have the full distribution SP2 21.80
from Microsoft on my PC.

Thanks again for your help.

Joe

Joe727 said:
Ok - thanks for the info Wes. I don't use automatic updates, but I do go
to Windows Update. I'll copy the folder to the desktop, delete it in the
Windows directory and see what happens.

Joe
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