%UserProfile%\AppData\Local\Windows Live\.cache

Question

Is it safe to remove the files in this folder?  What are the positives and the drawbacks please? 

C:\Users\username\AppData\Local\Windows Live.cache

Mine has 34 files totaling 136 MBs....

I use Live Messenger, and Live Mail....

Answer 1

ren "C:\Users\username\AppData\Local\Windows Live"  "Windows Live Old"

For example, yes. It's probably easier just to right-click on the folder in Explorer and select Rename.

... without Windows Live running then try WLMail and see what happens?

No! The program will undoubtedly run as usual whether that directory is there or not. The only situations where you would need the cached installers are when you need to repair or uninstall. wlarp.exe is the applet that launches a repair or uninstall operation (Windows Live Add/Remove Programs). If you can successfully run a Repair ... after renaming the Windows Live folder, you clearly don't need the files in that folder.

Answer 2

Thank you. I don't recognize the files in the user profile directory with random names, so I'm bound to ask which version of Windows (Live) Essentials we're talking about on which operating system.

I'm inclined to say the same as before: that the ones in the user profile can be discarded, but not before checking whether everything works without them. You could, for example, rename the Windows Live folder in the user profile to Windows Dead, then with all running programs closed, try running wlarp.exe (press Windows key + R, type wlarp and press Enter). If it runs successfully, you don't need the files. If it doesn't, you might.

I'm wondering how you're using Messenger - are you in mainland China? It was dismantled for everyone else more than two years ago.

Answer 3

That hidden folder contains the installers for all of the elements of older installations of the Windows (Live) Essentials suite. Later installations put these files at

C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Windows Live.cache

instead, so if you find a similar collection of folders and files there, you can safely delete the ones in the user profile.

If you completely remove the installer files for any of the programs, you'll probably not be able to repair or uninstall them easily.

Answer 4

I am using Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 and WLMail 16.4.3528.331.

I am just using Mail - sorry. 

re: You could, for example, rename the Windows Live folder in the user profile to Windows Dead

so you mean this?

ren "C:\Users\username\AppData\Local\Windows Live"  "Windows Live Old"

without Windows Live running then try WLMail and see what happens?

Answer 5

Hi,

I have uploaded WLive.txt - a DIR of both cache folders.  Please verify it's safe to remove the contents of either folder and let me know which folder is safe to remove the contents of please.  the link is:

https://onedrive.live.com/redir?resid=1eb81ebe6515f29e%213698