I have sever folders of the type:C:\Documents and Settings\my name\UserData\06CF6PX2where the last part varies. For the most part they are empty. Can these be deleted without causing a problem?
To begin with, be careful. There may be other directories called "UserData" on your machine. It's a common name for any number of different purposes, and used by several different applications.
But these, at that specific location in your Documents and Settings, are fairly clear.
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I believe those directories, when located in C:\Documents and Settings\my name\UserData\, where "my name" is replaced by your user name on the computer, are temporary storage used by Windows Update.
Deleting shouldn't cause a problem. I deleted mine, and similar directories were recreated the next time I visited Windows Update.
Related:
Microsoft - Windows Update
Article C2425 - September 20, 2005
Watch out for deleting "temporary" directories. Long ago, in a temp job far away, I was on a PC that was bogging down due to low disk space. I tried deleting a "temp" directory and ended up deleting all the calendar data for my boss.
Just because something is called "temporary" doesn't mean that every programmer treats it that way. It's just bad coding to put permanent/crucial data in a "temp" directory, but it happens.
If you don't need the space, leave 'em alone, I say. And if you do need the space, be veeeeeery careful. You may be deleting more than you think.
Posted by: Greg Bulmash at September 23, 2005 1:27 AMhow do i change to the directories of the following at dos:
Posted by: tope at November 12, 2006 10:02 AM1 documents and settings
2 my documents
3 a long folder name like "this is for backup"
please mr leo i need your kind response
tope
Just put the path in quotes. For example:
[c:\] CD "C:\documents and settings"
Posted by: Leo Notenboom at November 12, 2006 10:23 AMI recently had to do a System Recovery on my computer and I've come to terms with the loss of all my old files but they're all stored in the USERDATA file and they're taking up way too much space, the thing is when i try to get into it I get a message that says Access Denied, how can I get passed this? please email me a response at caboose_rules_all@hotmail.com
Posted by: Brian at June 10, 2007 12:08 PMThis has also happened to me recently:
Posted by: Jon at July 18, 2007 5:27 PMI performed a system recovery on my computer, but all the files are now stored in USERDATA as well. When I check the properties of the folder it says there are no files and no space being taken up, and when I try to enter, it says Access Denied. When I use Norton antivirus it scans those supposed files! How can I fix this? please email me at:
[Email Address Removed] Please help me! I have no space on my computer and Im suffering~
i got the same prob.. I performed a system recovery on my computer, but all the files are now stored in USERDATA as well. When I check the properties of the folder it says there are no files and no space being taken up, and when I try to enter, it says Access Denied. & i can't delete the folder.. When I use Norton antivirus it scans those supposed files! How can I fix this? please email me at: [Email Address Removed]
Posted by: Tim at November 9, 2007 12:02 PMi did the system recovery as well and i found a solution but not the program to do it. when you scan with norton after the scan hit the view quarantine and click 'add item'. then you can look threw the files in userdata. my theory is if you find a file extracting program you can restore these file than do as you wish with them.
Posted by: Billy at February 27, 2008 12:13 PMHad same problem of not being able to access userdata after a system recovery. This is how you fix it. It says the access is denied. You need to take ownership of the folder (or perhaps even the entire drive!). Alright so reboot in safe mode, log in as admin, and right click on C: and go to security, go to owner, click on "Administrators" and then check the box at the bottom " Rewrite.. or whatever it says" and click apply. After its done you should be able to access userdata as admin. Restart in normal mode, go into documents and settings and into administrator, the folder userdata should be here and accessible to you now. Can now move the files to wherever you want. Cheers!
Posted by: Santiago at April 27, 2008 10:46 AMI have a Dell with an Xp home edition, microsoft 2003. There were 3 users in my computer. Now it is just me so I tried to rearrange my document folder. I made a mistake. Now when I scan a file, It scanned fine but then the computer said the source is not accessible. Please help.
Posted by: Hung Chau at January 21, 2009 12:11 PMH>C