Member Avatar for Ritesh_4

Hello
Anyone can tell me the purpose of i386 folder which I found on my Drive C? I found this on my office PC running XP while at home there is no such folder :-/

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A short, practical addendum to the thread: the term i386 is essentially the 32‑bit installation/source set for Windows XP — a collection of setup files, CAB archives and driver installers that the OS can use when adding components or restoring protected system files. was right to flag drivers; correctly listed the common places those files turn up. The important point not yet covered in detail is how to tell which copy is present and what can be done safely.

Quick identification checklist:

  • Note the full path: a plain C:\i386 is usually a copied installation source; Windows\ServicePackFiles\i386 and Windows\Driver Cache\i386 are OS-maintained backups.
  • Check size and timestamps: an i386 that is very large and dated to the original install/service‑pack day is likely an installation source or SP backup.
  • Inspect file types: lots of .cab/.dll/.exe point to install media; lots of .inf/*.sys indicate driver caches. A few minutes of inspection will show whether the files look like install packages or cached drivers.

Safe space-recovery options (non-destructive):

  • If C:\i386 is just a copy of the XP CD and installation media is available, move the folder to an external drive or archive it (allows SFC to still find the files if reconnected).
  • Use NTFS compression on the folder if immediate free space is needed and moving is not possible.
  • Run Disk Cleanup (Clean up system files) to remove Service Pack backup files; note this prevents uninstalling the SP.
  • Do not manually delete files from Windows\Driver Cache or ServicePackFiles unless a full backup exists; that can force the system to request the original CD when repairing or adding components.

Final caution: keep either the original install media or a backed-up i386 copy before removing anything critical; that preserves the ability to repair system files without surprises.

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Member Avatar for Rik_

Amongst other things, it containd a driver database. Do not delete it unless you really want windows to go wrong!

Member Avatar for Ritesh_4

ha! thx for the info, I was thinking about del it to make space :twisted:
But why on my home pc it is not present?

Member Avatar for Rik_

It will depend on what version of windows you are using!

Member Avatar for Ritesh_4

ok thx...

Member Avatar for gerbil

Well, it does really depend upon where it is found. For example if in C: root...ie c:\i386, then that is likely the i386 folder copied in by someone to save loading the installation cd when, say, running sfc. You can delete that one, noting of course, the caveat i presented.
If it is found in Windows\Driver Cache, then no, don't delete it... this is a backup cache of updates from KBs, or Security etc updates.
If it is in Windows\SevicePackFiles then it contains the files from a ServicePack update eg to SP3. If you need to run sfc to repair system files, or the OS invokes the File Protection System then files from this folder may be required.
Then there is the multitude of i386 folders in ReinstallBackups in system32. These are the older drivers cached after hardware driver updates. Pretty much, if your hardware is working fine currently, then you don't need these.
And if you take any notice of this and your system falls apart, then I cannot be found.

Member Avatar for Ritesh_4

thx for the explanation gerbil, am leaving the folder as it is on the drive, since I dnt want to take the risk of crashing the system :-)

Member Avatar for gerbil

Stand on the edge....

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