what is CommonFiles in Program Files for?

Question

whats the COMMON FILES in program files folder for???

C:\Program Files\Common Files

it is taking up 600++ mb on my hard disc, is there a way to clear/optimize it?

and what about LocalSettings in Document and Settings?
My user's LocalSettings is ALOT ALOT bigger then my sister's, and its taking alot of space

Answer 1

Common Files is the location where applications installed on your system share libraries(dll etc). This is done for one simple reason, making applications modular. For eg. in The Microsoft Shared, there are libraries that almost all of the Microsoft applications use. Similarly it exists for other vendors. You don't need to install the same libraries again and again, just to make your application run and its more economical and safer for different vendor apps to communicate with each other. Its makes life so easier for the developers to share the std,. libraries so that their programs/applications can work together without any library or version compatibility problems.

its more to do with Programming, API's, and saving disk space too.

Dont worry about this folder and there is no way u can optimize it...leave it....

As a word of advice, you should generally dont bother to look into WINDOWS/WINNT/Program Files Folder to optimize your system.

Remove programs that u dont needs, clean Temp folder periodically, Defrag and dont keep the data that u dont need.

Hope this helps!

Answer 2

I just had a look at my Common Files folder after reading your question . Mine contains programs such as Java and Adobe .
Some people have more than one user that can logon and use that particular PC . So , these programs are placed in a "Neutral" folder . In this way , these programs are available for everyone , not just the Computer Administrator .
I hope you' re not considering deleting some of these files or folders . They' re necessary for your PC to function properly .
The same is true for the Local Settings folder .

Answer 3

Common Files

http://members.aol.com/donnaskani/filetypes.html

Some formats are fairly common and will open in multiple applications, and some are completely proprietary and will only open in the software that created them. These formats vary widely in quality, image depth and resolution and some are in compressed formats. This of course is only a partial list, and as it is a "work in progress", I invite any readers who can contribute from their own experience to email me.

Below is a list of some of the most common file formats with suggestions on programs that you either have or can download to open them. Those programs which are commonly preinstalled on Aptivas as part of either the IBM or Microsoft pre-load bundle are in BOLD type. Those programs that can be downloaded as free trial shareware are shown as HYPERLINKS that will take you to some information on the software referenced.

Long list available at the source link.

Answer 4

Do you may have administrational rights for the PC you're putting in it onto? If no longer, you might not be capable to run setup records adequately as you might not be allowed to put in distinct programs.# Also, with Nokia Suite, be certain that your PC is of the proper spec, in any other case you are going to no longer be capable to efficaciously set up this object.