Office Setup Files reinstalled themselves

Question

Hello, I am running xp pro, svc pk 3, 32bit, ie8, on a Dell Dimension 3000.

I am familiar with reinstalling OS and have done so several times.

When I reinstalled Office 2003 after my last OS reinstall, I removed the Office Setup Files from Disk Cleanup by removing the registry entry, after exporting the entry to the msocache, office setup files folder. That was then.

Then: Dec 14 : I run disk cleanup, ccleaner, ATF cleaner, and defragment daily. (no office setup files in Disk Cleanup)

Now: Dec 15: When I went to run Disk Cleanup, I noticed that my office setup files were back!

I checked the msocache and office setup files were still there, I checked the registry and office setup files were there again.

I exported them again to the msocache, now I have two .reg files for office setup (I renamed the 2nd one to avoid confusion).

Ran disk cleanup after removing office setup files entry.

The Problem: How did the files get put back on disk cleanup? Only changes made to the computer from my Dec 14 cleanup were to run scans from MAMB,

MSE. Full Scans. Some updates were available, I installed and restarted computer. Then I went on my merry way surfing the net and playing

games.

My Actions: Removed files again as described above, Checked the updates I installed yesterday to see if any of them proposed reinstalling setup files.

None did as far as I can see. Here is what was installed on Dec 14:

Security updates for XP: KB2639417

2324667

2619339

2620712

2633171

Cumulative, ie8, xp 2617444

MRT 890830 (After which I ran a full Scan)

Sec. for Office Excel 2596954

Junk Mail 2597035

Update for XP 2633952

Cum. Sec Active X

Killbits for XP 2618451

I checked out the Definitions of all these and did not find any resolution.

So far everything working, just curious as to why they reappeared. No threats found during any scan.

Thank You in advance for any assistance. There were no errors in event log. I did ask this question in the MS answers, but could not get any resolution.

I am hoping someone could explain how this happened.

fireberd · Answer

I have Office 2003 Professional (and FrontPage 2003) installed. I don't see those files in Disk Cleanup, apparently they were deleted at some point and never came back. I've checked both my Windows 7 and Vista hard drives.

Just for the record, this would not be a "Dell" problem.

liz1954 · Answer

I understand it is not a Dell problem.

It is an OS problem,hence my question in this forum.

They are not listed now in the Disk Cleanup as I have removed them (two times now as stated above).

My question is why did they return to Disk Cleanup.

When I first install Office the setup files are placed in disk cleanup where there is the chance of accidentally deleting them. So I remove them to the msocache file.

Everything was fine.

Then they returned to disk cleanup BY THEMSELVES.

I removed them again.

I was searching for some reason why this occured.

Are you suggesting a different forum and if so which one.?

Bugbatter · Answer

Hi Liz, Have you tried asking at the Microsoft Forums? http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/office/forum

liz1954 · Answer

If you read the original question, you will see that I did try there.

If you all feel that you cannot supply an answer, please state so.

Am I wrong for understanding that this forum answers OS questions or not?

fireberd · Answer

This forum is for OS questions, but there are some that are beyond this forum. Keep in mind we are only users helping users on here. We are not Dell employees or paid consultants.

A question such as this would require someone with deep programming knowledge of Office and Windows.

Bugbatter · Answer

If you read the original question, you will see that I did try there.

You did not include a link to your question there. Therefore, we have no way of knowing if it was replied to by a Microsoft employee, a Microsoft MVP who specializes in Office, or someone from the public. Usually if questions cannot be answered there, they are referred to another forum. I'm not sure why Microsoft sent you to this forum knowing what type of questions are answered here.

liz1954 · Answer

answers.microsoft.com/.../76178ab5-2021-4bac-bc19-e37f0e67e2c9

Above is the link to my original question in the MS Office forum.

If this can help anyone provide an answer, Thank You, if not then I will leave it unanswerable as I did at MS. Pls advise.

Bugbatter · Answer

Thank you for the link, Liz. It appears that the person replying was someone from the public. My only suggestion is to wait and see if anyone from Microsoft replies to your post there.

I'm wondering if when you updated Office on the 14th, it was looking for the Office setup components in order to update, so it restored them.

By the way, it is not necessary to run both CCleaner and ATF. For that matter, XP's Disk Cleanup will do the job. I suggest not messing with the registry. There is really no need to defrag daily either.

liz1954 · Answer

Thanks for your reply. There is now some response on the question at MS.

However, as for the possibility being an installed Office update, there have been updates before that did not restore the setup files. Oh well, I will leave this question closed here and just stay with the Ms Forum.

Appreciate your attempt.

Windows General

Office Setup Files reinstalled themselves

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