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Is it safe to delete C++ Redistributables?

Anonymous
2023-07-09T21:58:27+00:00

I'm strapped for storage space on my laptop - around 30 GB are built in, but 20 of those go to System Files and otherwise Reserved Data. It seems like whenever I free up the slightest bit of space, that Reserved section gets just a little bigger.

Majority of the remaining used storage is from my Apps, so naturally, I checked if there's anything worth deleting. Almost all of my apps are baked into the system - it doesn't even give me the option to delete them. However, there are Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributables there, which not only CAN be deleted, but they are also biggest apps I have (excluding Microsoft Photos, which as stated, can't be deleted).

Is it safe to delete these files? I've tried doing some research, but most of what I've found sums up to, "You could delete them, but maybe you shouldn't."

Some help with this would be greatly appreciated! I have such little space available that I haven't been able to update for two-three years.

TL;DR: I need help clearing up space on my laptop, and the biggest deletable files I have may or may not ruin my device if I choose to delete them.

If it helps, the laptop is an HP Stream 14 from around 2019, and it runs on Windows 10.

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Files, folders, and storage

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  1. John DeV 163.1K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2023-07-09T22:30:01+00:00

    Hello Unlicensed,

    Good day! I'm John Dev a Windows user like you and I'll be happy to assist you today. I know this has been difficult for you, Rest assured, I'm going to do my best to help you.

    I recommend not to remove the Microsoft Visual C++ as these are redistributable where one of your applications relied on. It could cause some of your applications to not run correctly and worse, even cause your Windows to become unstable.

    Please check the link below for more details.

    https://www.howtogeek.com/256245/why-are-there-...

    Please check the support article below on How to Free up drive space in Windows.

    https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/fre...

    Kindly let me know if this helps or if you have any further concerns.

    Kind regards,

    John DeV

    Independent Advisor

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