How much can one delete from a Roaming file?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the safety and implications of deleting files from the Roaming directory in the Windows operating system, particularly in relation to potentially harmful executable files and application settings. Participants explore what can be safely removed without disrupting application functionality.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses concern about deleting files from the Roaming directory, questioning how much can be safely removed without affecting applications.
  • Another suggests renaming files instead of deleting them to avoid potential issues, indicating this as a precautionary measure.
  • A participant clarifies that the Roaming directory is used for storing user-specific settings, providing an example of Firefox bookmarks being stored there.
  • There is a suggestion that if the files in question are indeed update files, they may be safe to delete, but renaming them is recommended as a precaution.
  • One participant reports that they have begun experimenting with deletions without negative consequences so far.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the extent of deletions that can be safely performed, with differing opinions on the safety of deleting executable files and the best practices for managing them.

Contextual Notes

There are uncertainties regarding the specific types of files that can be deleted and the potential consequences of such actions, as well as the dependence on individual application behaviors.

nomadreid
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My Malwarebytes keeps giving me a message that it has blocked a potentially damaging .exe file, and told me where to find it. I would like to delete a lot of this file, but a lot of articles say "Be very careful about deleting anything from the Roaming file." Scary. How much can I delete from this file without mucking up the application? For example, can I delete the temporary files and the history? But the only "exe" files I see are updates; can I delete the exe files without removing the actual updates?
 
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If you're not sure, then just rename the file. Then, if the program stops working, you can restore it without a problem. I often rename updater programs that come with software so that they won't check to see if my program needs to be updated (in their opinion).

BTW, I assume that you're referring to the Roaming directory in the %USERPROFILE%/AppData directory?
 
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Thanks, Borg. Sorry for the delay in answering. I am referring to the files that I receive when, in Windows 7, I put %appdata% in the "Search Programs" box in the Start menu.
 
The files in that directory are for storing settings that are specific to your account. For example, Firefox stores all of your bookmarks in a subdirectory of that directory. There shouldn't be too many exe files in there. If you're sure that the files are update files, they are probably safe to delete. But, again, I would just rename them to change .exe to something like .old just in case.
 
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Thanks, Borg. I have started to experiment, and so far my computer has not exploded.
 

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