Is it Safe to Delete Empty Folders? : Othor Games

» Sun Jul 17, 2011 1:10 pm

Is it safe to delete empty folders (no files or anything in them)? I have a bunch of them all over my computer.

» Sun Jul 17, 2011 5:48 pm

I'm pretty sure the answer is yes, it is safe. However, if you are in the Windows directory, don't delete anything at all. You probably don't have a reason to be in that directory anyway so I wouldn't really worry about it.

» Sun Jul 17, 2011 9:59 am

I'm pretty sure the answer is yes, it is safe. However, if you are in the Windows directory, don't delete anything at all. You probably don't have a reason to be in that directory anyway so I wouldn't really worry about it.

Okay, thanks. But there's a strange folder in my C drive. It's called "elements" and its name is in blue. Not sure if I need that or not. It's empty. And it's been there for a very long time.

» Sun Jul 17, 2011 2:32 pm

Yes and no. Sometimes folders are actually used by some applications for storing temporary data, and they may throw a fit if they can't find them or replace them.

» Sun Jul 17, 2011 2:37 pm

Okay, thanks. But there's a strange folder in my C drive. It's called "elements" and its name is in blue. Not sure if I need that or not. It's empty. And it's been there for a very long time.

Not exactly sure what that would be, but folders take so little space that it wouldn't do anything if you just left it.

» Sun Jul 17, 2011 5:04 pm

Okay, thanks. But there's a strange folder in my C drive. It's called "elements" and its name is in blue. Not sure if I need that or not. It's empty. And it's been there for a very long time.

well that's an odd folder. Where did you find it? Was it in anything else like program files, or no?

» Sun Jul 17, 2011 12:42 pm

According to http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080624215923AAj2nYythe blue might mean it's a compressed file. But, if it's empty, what is it compressing?

» Sun Jul 17, 2011 7:02 pm

well that's an odd folder. Where did you find it?

"Computer > ACER (C:) > elements"

I know folders take up so little space, but they really bother me. I don't want stuff from stuff I uninstalled to remain on my computer.

» Sun Jul 17, 2011 3:33 pm

It's perfectly safe, assuming there's no http://www.geektips.net/67/show-super-hidden-files-in-windows-vista.html in there. If there are, it'll kick up an error

I'm pretty sure the answer is yes, it is safe. However, if you are in the Windows directory, don't delete anything at all. You probably don't have a reason to be in that directory anyway so I wouldn't really worry about it.

It's amazing how many OEMs install crap in %windir% that doesn't belong there. Not to mention the annoying Windows videos in there for things like Getting Started and Windows Media Center. Then there's Shockwave Player which adobe in their brilliant thinking put in %windir%\system32\Adobe\Shockwave

;)

» Sun Jul 17, 2011 7:17 pm

It's perfectly safe, assuming there's no http://www.geektips.net/67/show-super-hidden-files-in-windows-vista.html in there. If there are, it'll kick up an error

It's amazing how many OEMs install crap in %windir% that doesn't belong there. Not to mention the annoying Windows videos in there for things like Getting Started and Windows Media Center. Then there's Shockwave Player which adobe in their brilliant thinking put in %windir%\system32\Adobe\Shockwave

;)

Sure, but for the average casual computer user they don't need to be mucking about in that directory too much.

» Sun Jul 17, 2011 7:43 pm

Sure, but for the average casual computer user they don't need to be mucking about in that directory too much.

Uninstalling shockwave player is a must for everyone. Shockwave Player generally won't show up in Add/Remove and can easily be missed by people, making it a large security risk. Shockwave player shouldn't be confused with Flash Player, they are two different programs.

So I'll have to disagree

» Sun Jul 17, 2011 9:01 pm

You could technically delete them. If it is a folder to a program you use often then leave it ( the program will just make it again

). I delete mine all the time. Its just extra bytes of space.
If you run pc i recommend ccleaner.exe nice little tool similar to disk cleaner utility that comes with the machine.

Thats my input.

PS "when in doubt whip google out!"

http://forums.techarena.in/windows-xp-support/790277.htm

Talks about similar subject. I read a few others articles, looks like folders and files labeled with blue text were encrypted or compressed.

» Sun Jul 17, 2011 11:07 am

"Computer > ACER (C:) > elements"

I know folders take up so little space, but they really bother me. I don't want stuff from stuff I uninstalled to remain on my computer.

Well I can't t think of anything that could be. You can probably delete it.

» Sun Jul 17, 2011 7:13 pm

You could technically delete them. If it is a folder to a program you use often then leave it ( the program will just make it again

). I delete mine all the time. Its just extra bytes of space.
If you run pc i recommend ccleaner.exe nice little tool similar to disk cleaner utility that comes with the machine.

Thats my input.

I do use CCleaner. But it doesn't exactly remove unused registry things. I still have stuff from Dragon Age and Blizzard Entertainments, EA, etc. (uninstalled) in my registry.

» Sun Jul 17, 2011 1:22 pm

You could technically delete them. If it is a folder to a program you use often then leave it ( the program will just make it again

). I delete mine all the time. Its just extra bytes of space.

Folders don't take up any space as they are just an abstraction to help in conceptualizing data storage and organization in a GUI environment.

That said, I still delete empty folders religiously

» Sun Jul 17, 2011 2:52 pm

While we're on the topic of deleting stuff, I have an installed program called "Acer ScreenSaver" installed (came with my laptop). I'm not sure exactly what this is. ~~Does it just provide some extra screensavers or does it allow me to use background images? Because my background image right now is just black.~~ Never mind. Got screensaver and background image confused. Could Acer ScreenSaver possibly just allow me to use screensavers? Because I don't use screensavers at all.

» Sun Jul 17, 2011 3:56 pm

While we're on the topic of deleting stuff, I have an installed program called "Acer ScreenSaver" installed (came with my laptop). I'm not sure exactly what this is. Does it just provide some extra screensavers or does it allow me to use background images?

It's the Acer Empowering Technology slideshow screensaver that is horrid enough to make your eyes bleed.

Because my background image right now is just black.

Assuming it isn't set to black, there can be various reasons for this ranging from running low on memory to needing to reinstall your display drivers.

» Sun Jul 17, 2011 4:03 pm

It's the Acer Empowering Technology slideshow screensaver that is horrid enough to make your eyes bleed.

Assuming it isn't set to black, there can be various reasons for this ranging from running low on memory to needing to reinstall your display drivers.

So...is it safe to uninstall it if I don't use screensavers?

And I got screensaver and background image confused, sorry.

» Sun Jul 17, 2011 9:13 pm

So...is it safe to uninstall it if I don't use screensavers?

And I got screensaver and background image confused, sorry.

Uninstalling it will cause a 3-minute countdown detonation timer to initiate that will cause your computer to explode killing all living and non-living creatures in a 50 mile radius. Acer does this with all their software to guarantee your system is never crapware-free.

However, I heard that if you uninstall it really fast, you can fool the timer into not going off

» Sun Jul 17, 2011 6:33 pm

Uninstalling it will cause a 3-minute countdown detonation timer to initiate that will cause your computer to explode killing all living and non-living creatures in a 50 mile radius. Acer does this with all their software to guarantee your system is never crapware-free.

However, I heard that if you uninstall it really fast, you can fool the timer into not going off

:o

Edit; Uninstalled it. Everything blew up except the laptop, me, my couch, and the floor underneath me. Amazing.

» Sun Jul 17, 2011 4:53 pm

:o

Edit; Uninstalled it. Everything blew up except the laptop, me, my couch, and the floor underneath me. Amazing.

You're parents aren't going to be happy with the giant hole in the roof. I just hope you don't live in an apartment.

» Sun Jul 17, 2011 6:45 pm

You're parents aren't going to be happy with the giant hole in the roof. I just hope you don't live in an apartment.

So...what's "Welcome Center" installed for/what's it do (it's from Acer).

» Sun Jul 17, 2011 11:44 am

So...what's "Welcome Center" installed for/what's it do (it's from Acer).

Annoying message window that appears when you first use the computer.

Basically anything by the OEM can safely be uninstalled (assuming you've already made your recovery discs).

» Sun Jul 17, 2011 7:37 pm

Annoying message window that appears when you first use the computer.

Basically anything by the OEM can safely be uninstalled (assuming you've already made your recovery discs).

My recovery discs?

» Sun Jul 17, 2011 7:17 pm

My recovery discs?

Those discs that restore your PC to default settings which you were prompted to make after first turning on the PC. You made them right away like a good computer user, right?

Assmuming, for whaver reason, you didn't make said discs, you can make them using the Acer eRecovery program (IIRC)