What is the I386 Folder for
 

Hey,
I'm new to windows xp and was wondering what is the i386 folder used for. I was also wondering what would happen if i deleted its contents because it's being it take up half a gig's worth of memory

Replies much apprecited
ADAM

half a gig of hard-drive space you mean?

it's the install files for Win2K/XP

if you ever install drivers, and they need the XP CD, you can just put in the location of the 386 directory and it will work

If you go into the registry, you can even get it to do the same on any 95/98/ME system.

actually, all you have to do is type the directory in when it asks for the CD

Yeah but you have to do that every single time! One regedit visit and your done from then on!

is it ok to delete the i386 folder, if i have the the original xp pro cd that came with the pc?

i wouldn't, and if your hard drive is that small, you shouldn't be running XP anyway.

well the reason it is there(was kept there) is for backwards compatability with windows NT. its the same format across the two. xp sifted it out on its changeover.

you can actually do some fancy things with the i386 folder 8)