Is this directory useful for application installations or windows OS component repairs from control panel or otherwise?
2006-06-14 09:15:54 · 16 answers · asked by icejavx 2 in Computers & Internet ➔ Software
Thanks to Angry_C I found a good response at the ask-leo website on this question.
http://ask-leo.com/so_just_what_is_the_i386_directory_anyway.html
2006-06-14 10:21:23 · update #1
The i386 directory is your entire XP file. It comes in real handy if you ever lose or damage your install CD. You don't say how many gigs you've got on your hard drive but I'm gonna guess you've got at least 20. That i386 is taking up less than half a gig. A very small price to pay for peace of mind that you have a full backup to your XP.
I'd recommend you check out a tech site called Ask Leo (www.ask-leo.com) and search his previous articles about the i386. One of the people who asked a question was me because I didn't have the i386 on my computer and I was up a creek without a paddle.
2006-06-14 09:25:57 · answer #1 · answered by Angry C 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
This is basically installable code from Windows XP. It was copied off your Windows XP install disk so that components can be added later without having the CD present.
If you delete it, then to install or repair some windows component may mean you'll have to have your install CD.
Now make dang sure you're talking about C:\i386 and not C:\Winodws\i386.
:)
2006-06-14 09:19:28 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can remove it. The i386 folder is probably left over from the original XP installation. Should you try to install something that's optional in XP, such as the Fax program, which is usually not installed by default, then you'll be prompted for the Windows CD. You can always replace your i386 folder on your hard drive by copying from your installation CD at a later date.
2006-06-14 09:26:23 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The i386 folder is generally installed by vendors if they do not give you the original windows xp cd. If you have the original xp installation cd, you can safely delete the folder.
This c:\i386 folder is useful for re-installs and component repairs etc....
2006-06-14 09:22:29 · answer #4 · answered by ? 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That is the windows source folder. When you do configuration changes (like add a device), windows is looking there for files it needs to copy. If you have a Windows CD handy you can remove it. Or you can burn it on a CD and remove it. But don't lose the CD, you will need it once in a while.
2006-06-14 09:18:58 · answer #5 · answered by Milu 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
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2014-09-26 21:13:49 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
that's some thing to do with Windows service pack 2 better not touch that. there R some other things u can get rid of if u need the space. like screen savers & stuff
2006-06-14 09:20:15 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
the i386 directory is the main directory for drivers... if you remove it you system will not boot until you repair it with recovery console.
2006-06-14 09:36:31 · answer #8 · answered by travln_man66 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, you don't want to delete this folder as XP uses it to keep track of critical files that are installed on the system.
2006-06-14 09:21:58 · answer #9 · answered by BenEBrady 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'd leave it there....Windows keeps copies of drivers it might need in that directory. I'm a tech guy I know.
2006-06-14 09:19:17 · answer #10 · answered by smartmitch 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋