Application Data Folder???

Question

Hey, I was just going through my hard drive, and I noticed that the Application Data folder in the 'All Users' folder is kinda of copied within itself multiple times, as in:   'C:\Users\All Users\Application Data\Application Data\Application Data\Application Data\' and so forth.   I went into them, but it seems to just go on and on. Also the contents of the first Application Data folder are within each other folder as well, although as I go further in, the folders soon turn out to be empty.  The annoying thing with the whole of this is that it's taking up a load of space, and I' wondering should it even be like that, as in the Application Data folder within a multiple number of othe Application Data folders.   Would it be safe to delete these 'copies' as it were???   Does the Application Data folder contain anything major to the running of the OS, e.g. that could stop it booting, as I may just copy these 'copies' to a separate hard drive, and if they do affect the running of Vista, I'll just put them back...   Any info would be great.   Thanks.   BTW, is it possible to do a clean install of Vista with the Express Upgrade disc from Dell??? Message Edited by MozyMan on 01-19-2008 03:40 PM

GioAguilar · Answer

It is weird alll those folder, not sure if it will be safe to delete, some programs may have something there, including Windows applications. If that would happen to my computer, I'd create a system restore point, and then delete the copied folders. Not telling you to do it. If you decide to do it, beside the restore point, I would recommend to do a backup of your personal files.   About to your question of clean isntall using the Dell Express Upgrade, yes, you can.

MozyMan · Answer

Yeah, I don't see why an app, or even Windows, would set to have its data stored in a number of folder called Application Data all within themselves, it's just weird. And I don't think they should be 6 to 7 gb of data in there either.

I'm pretty sure all of Windows major system files are stored in the C:\Windows folder, so I might just copy the folders, then delete them. I can then just replace them if need be. I had noticed though a few days ago a few gigs of space seemed to disappear, and it wasn't the auto system restore either...

Message Edited by MozyMan on 01-19-2008 05:11 PM

MozyMan · Answer

Really, is that so?? Well I was just going through it, and there in the Microsoft folder in Application Data, there's folders like Search (which I think has data from searches made from the Start Menu or something) and GameExplorer. So I'm thinking how could they be there if Vista doesn't use them... And before I did the upgrade to Vista, I did a clean install of XP, then straight to Vista via Express Upgrade disc (didn't know about clean install with Vista at the time), so...

Hydralisk00222 · Answer

Since you have Vista, you shouldn't even have a C:\Users\All Users folder. Delete it.

Hydralisk00222 · Answer

Ah. It's a leftover from XP install then.   In Vista the All Users folder is split into C:\ProgramData and C:\Users\Public. No all users folder.

kirkd · Answer

I did a clean install dual boot and have:

All Users

Default

Default User

My Private Folder

Public

You need to "enable hidden folders" to see them.

Dimension 9100, Dual-Boot Win XP / Vista Home Premium, 3.0 GHz P4, 3 GB DDR2 533 MHz RAM, 160 GB SATA II Samsung (XP), 300 GB SATA II Seagate (Vista), 250 GB SimpleTech USB (WD Drive), Nvidia Go 6800 (425/825 MHz - XP, 400/800 MHz - Vista, Vista Driver - 163.75), Dell 1901 UltraSharp FP

Inspiron E1705, Win Vista Premium, T7200 Core 2 Duo (4MB, 2.0 GHz 667MHz), 2 GB DDR2 677 MHz RAM, 120 GB Samsung HD, Nvidia Go 7900 GS - 156.69 Driver, 17” Sharp UltraSharp TrueLife Wide-Screen WUXGA

seize.the.night · Answer

I was pretty sure that the 'All Users' folder had dual functions....   1 - it is a folder for storage of any items that ALL users on a PC need access to...I.e. the Desktop folder of the All Users folder has a set of icons, and all users of the pc see those icons on the desktop, but if they navigate to c:\users\(their id)\desktop they won't see the icon direct in there...   2 - If you create a new user, this is a kind-of template for the creation of the folders required for that user...   I wouldn't delete them.   Re: the Application Data within application data within....etc I would create a system restore, backup the application data folder/s also and then delete the 2nd-level and beyond Application Data folders (not the top level, obviously).   This won't affect windows but may affect other programs...so keep your backups for a few weeks until you know for sure it hasen't had any adverse affect on your whole computer and applications.

Hydralisk00222 · Answer

seize.the.night wrote:

I was pretty sure that the 'All Users' folder had dual functions....

1 - it is a folder for storage of any items that ALL users on a PC need access to...I.e. the Desktop folder of the All Users folder has a set of icons, and all users of the pc see those icons on the desktop, but if they navigate to c:\users\(their id)\desktop they won't see the icon direct in there...

2 - If you create a new user, this is a kind-of template for the creation of the folders required for that user...

I wouldn't delete them

There is no "All Users" folder in Vista if you did a clean install.

If you upgraded from XP then don't delete it but if you did a clean install, that should not be there.

Message Edited by Hydralisk00222 on 01-21-2008 12:24 AM

Windows General

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