delete downloaded installation files?

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Guest

I'm not sure if I'm asking this in the right place, but I've always wondered:
after I have downloaded (and saved) a file to install an application, can I
delete the file I downloaded (after installing) without affection the
operation of the application? When I try, there is a message that I won't be
able to run the program... These files just seem to be piling up, and if
they're not needed, I would like to get ride of them.
 
files that have an .exe extension
can either be the :

(a) actual "installed" program or
(b) an "installation" program.

after a program is installed (a), the
installation program/files (b) can
be deleted.

the message you are getting may
be referring to the above referenced (a).

if you are unsure and the message you
get can be sincere or deceitful, then simply
move the directory to the "recycle bin".

later and after monitoring your pc
you can decide whether to clear out
the recycle bin or return the files in it
back to their locations....

maybe if you tell us which programs
you are concerned about, we can
give your a better idea.

I'm not sure if I'm asking this in the right place, but I've always wondered:
after I have downloaded (and saved) a file to install an application, can I
delete the file I downloaded (after installing) without affection the
operation of the application? When I try, there is a message that I won't be
able to run the program... These files just seem to be piling up, and if
they're not needed, I would like to get ride of them.
 
Without knowing specifically which install files you're attempting to
delete, no specific answer can be forthcoming.

Office Viewer installation files are needed in order to update said
Viewers [Excel, Word, PowerPoint]
Suggest you create a folder in My Documents and call it Office Viewers
and move the installers to it.

Most programs do not require that one keep the installation package
forever.

MowGreen [MVP 2003-2007]
===============
*-343-* FDNY
Never Forgotten
===============
 
Thanks for your thoughts.

The largest files are oj600_ENU_xp1505.exe (description is PackageForTheWeb
Stub, but I don't know what this is, or what it did), PowerPointViewer.exe
(the file I downloaded to get the viewer) and webinst.exe (apparently
installs a trial version of Microsoft Money, which I have since tried and
uninstalled).

Each of these files is in 'downloads' folder, and is over 20,000k. There are
other, smaller files, which _I think_, are the files I downloaded to install
an application.

There is, however, no PowerPoint file in 'programs', at least not under that
name. Since I learned long ago not to delete files just because I don't know
what they are;-) any help is appreciated.
 
Ruthie said:
I'm not sure if I'm asking this in the right place, but I've always
wondered:
after I have downloaded (and saved) a file to install an application, can
I
delete the file I downloaded (after installing) without affection the
operation of the application? When I try, there is a message that I won't
be
able to run the program... These files just seem to be piling up, and if
they're not needed, I would like to get ride of them.
Click to expand...

What Mow has pointed out is true. However, be aware that at times some
programs you've downloaded and installed might also have a "repair" option
as part of its uninstall in add/remove programs utility.

If for some reason, your software should become corrupt, the first place the
"Repair" option is going to look - is where you saved the downloaded
installer package for the software to your PC. If it can't be found, then
you can't make a "repair" on the fly. You would need to go back and
download it all over again to do a re-install.

I always save and install from one folder I call C:\MyStuff on my harddrive,
then back up these standalone packages to a DVD or a CD Rw disk for that
very reason. Saves having to hunt for them on the internet later.
 
C J. said:
What Mow has pointed out is true. However, be aware that at times some
programs you've downloaded and installed might also have a "repair" option
as part of its uninstall in add/remove programs utility.

If for some reason, your software should become corrupt, the first place the
"Repair" option is going to look - is where you saved the downloaded
installer package for the software to your PC. If it can't be found, then
you can't make a "repair" on the fly. You would need to go back and
download it all over again to do a re-install.

I always save and install from one folder I call C:\MyStuff on my harddrive,
then back up these standalone packages to a DVD or a CD Rw disk for that
very reason. Saves having to hunt for them on the internet later.
Click to expand...

Aha. Thank you. What a great idea. That helps to answer the question that
prompted the one above: what is filling up my hard drive and how much of it
do i need?
 
oh yeh,
that is a hp software package:
http://search.live.com/results.aspx?FORM=DNSAS&q=oj600_ENU_xp1505.exe

i had it too, but decided it was
poorly written for effecient use
by windows.

what you might want to do is
to uninstall it completely and
"only download / use" the
smaller printer/scanner drivers instead
of the software package.

msoffice and windows only
needs the drivers to print and to scan.

a better picture software /alternative
is something like Google's Picasa.

as for the others that involve MSOffice,
this is a toss up whether or not to delete
them.

what you might want to do is to
go to start > run > cleanmgr

removing msoffice source install files
is a toss up. however, i suppose that
if space is critical for you and you have
the installation disks anyways, then deleting the
source files may be your only option.

i think if you run the cleanmgr above
it may give you some options for
them. Take advantage of the options
provided....

Thanks for your thoughts.

The largest files are oj600_ENU_xp1505.exe (description is PackageForTheWeb
Stub, but I don't know what this is, or what it did), PowerPointViewer.exe
(the file I downloaded to get the viewer) and webinst.exe (apparently
installs a trial version of Microsoft Money, which I have since tried and
uninstalled).

Each of these files is in 'downloads' folder, and is over 20,000k. There are
other, smaller files, which _I think_, are the files I downloaded to install
an application.

There is, however, no PowerPoint file in 'programs', at least not under that
name. Since I learned long ago not to delete files just because I don't know
what they are;-) any help is appreciated.
 
I'm not sure if I'm asking this in the right place, but I've always wondered:
after I have downloaded (and saved) a file to install an application, can I
delete the file I downloaded (after installing) without affection the
operation of the application?

Certainly.


When I try, there is a message that I won't be
able to run the program.
Click to expand...


You won't be able to run the installation program you delete. However
you will still be able to run the program it installed.

These files just seem to be piling up, and if
they're not needed, I would like to get ride of them.
Click to expand...



That's fine. You may do so. It's your choice. Personally, I usually
keep them; in case I ever need to reinstall them, I can do so without
redownloading. On the other hand I have lots of available disk space,
so that isn't a big issue for me.
 
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