Windows files displayed in blue

[Guest]

When I look at my files for Windows items I find that I have quite a number
of files diplayed in a blue font. All other normal files are the default
black colour. Is it safe to delete all of these blue files?

 

[Gordon]

When I look at my files for Windows items I find that I have quite a
number
of files diplayed in a blue font. All other normal files are the default
black colour. Is it safe to delete all of these blue files?

Asked and answered MANY times - the blue files are compressed uninstall
files for Windows Updates. If your computer is running OK you may delete
them, but you will NOT be able to uninstall the particular update once the
file is deleted....

 

[Guest]

Asked and answered MANY times - the blue files are compressed uninstall
files for Windows Updates. If your computer is running OK you may delete
them, but you will NOT be able to uninstall the particular update once the
file is deleted....

Thanks very much for your prompt reply Gordon>

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

When I look at my files for Windows items I find that I have quite a
number of files diplayed in a blue font. All other normal files are
the default black colour.

These are compressed file.

Is it safe to delete all of these blue files?

Why would you even begin to think such a thing? Whether it is safe to delete
a file depends on what the particular file is. The fact that it's blue, or
compressed, should not be any part of the decision to delete it or not.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Asked and answered MANY times - the blue files are compressed
uninstall files for Windows Updates. If your computer is running OK
you may delete them, but you will NOT be able to uninstall the
particular update once the file is deleted....

WARNING! spiderRog, the above information is *not* correct. Blue files are
simply compressed files--*not* necssarily uninstall files for Windows
updates. *Some* of those blue compressed files may be the uninstall files
that Gordon is talking about, but others may be other files entirely.

Do *not* blindly delete these.

 

[Gordon]

WARNING! spiderRog, the above information is *not* correct. Blue files are
simply compressed files--*not* necssarily uninstall files for Windows
updates. *Some* of those blue compressed files may be the uninstall files
that Gordon is talking about, but others may be other files entirely.

Do *not* blindly delete these.

He's implying that these files are in the Windows folder - I don't know of
any other case where files in the Windows folder are compressed.....

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

He's implying that these files are in the Windows folder - I don't
know of any other case where files in the Windows folder are
compressed.....

You're right--there is such an implication there, and I missed that. Sorry.

However, it is just an implication, not a certainty and it's not clear that
they are in the Windows folder.In the interests of safety, I would still
caution him to be very clear exactly what files he's talking about deleting.

spiderRog, the uninstall folders (not files) Gordon is talking about are
those whose name begins with $ntuninstall.

 

[John John]

He's implying that these files are in the Windows folder - I don't know of
any other case where files in the Windows folder are compressed.....

The dllcache maybe.

John

 

[Gerry Cornell]

Ken

What's wrong with deleting blue files on the basis of their colour. It
perfectly logical for a Labour supporter over here to do so. In the UK
the Conservatives traditionally wear blue rosettes and the Labour red.
Of course you could advise on how to change colour of the blue files
to green if the user would prefer to delete files of that colour
instead.

Seriously I think Gordon's first advice was not safe, notwithstanding
his justification, Following such advice expressed using loose and
imprecise terminology invites user misunderstanding and error.

--

Regards.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England
Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Ken

What's wrong with deleting blue files on the basis of their colour. It
perfectly logical for a Labour supporter over here to do so. In the UK
the Conservatives traditionally wear blue rosettes and the Labour red.

In that case, I'm with you.

Of course you could advise on how to change colour of the blue files
to green if the user would prefer to delete files of that colour
instead.

Seriously I think Gordon's first advice was not safe, notwithstanding
his justification, Following such advice expressed using loose and
imprecise terminology invites user misunderstanding and error.

Loose and imprecise terminology is always confusing.