There is no limit to the curiosity of modern users of computer systems. In the end, the day comes when the user wants to know how the system works, or why some files and directories are needed. And the MSOcache folder (Windows 7, 8, 10, Vista, XP) is very interesting to many.
MSOcache: what is this folder?
First, let's see what this directory is. As they say, you do not need to be seven spans in the forehead to deal with the decoding of the abbreviation.
As many probably already understand, cache is cached files. The acronym MS clearly refers to the name of Microsoft Corporation, and the letter “O” is nothing more than the acronym for Office software.
Thus, we get the general value - the folder of cached Microsoft Office files. True, finding her is not quite easy. The fact is that this directory is hidden. To view it, you must enable the display of hidden files and folders in the same Explorer.
What might the folder files be for?
Now let's take a closer look at the MSOcache object. What kind of folder do we have in this case, and what is it for? Everything is simple.
As you know, not a single software product, including Microsoft Office applications, is insured against errors or malfunctions that occur under completely unforeseen circumstances. Sometimes it comes to the point that the software package has to be reinstalled. But it takes some time.
Moreover, if the application is configured in accordance with the needs of the user himself, after re-installation you can get, so to speak, a “clean” product, and you will have to configure it again.
In order not to deal with such things, the MSOcache directory has been created. What is the folder, and why is it needed, you ask? But for what. It stores data for recovering MS Office applications. Compared to reinstalling, such a process takes a matter of minutes, depending on the speed of the system, the degree of damage to an application, or the type of error that occurs.
Can I delete the MSOcache folder?
Naturally, this directory takes up a lot of space, but, as a rule, no more than 1 GB. With modern volumes of hard drives, this, as they say, is a drop in the bucket. But if a relatively small size hard drive is installed in the computer system, then every megabyte counts. Therefore, many users and the question arises, is it possible to remove this component from the system.
Naturally, you can delete this folder, and without any painful consequences for the system. But only after failures it will not be possible to restore applications in automatic mode. Therefore, you must pre-stock the installation distribution of the original version of MS Office, which is currently installed on the computer. It can be an optical disk, flash drive or any other removable media. As it is already clear, if a person decided to delete the MSOcache folder, then he obviously will not keep the installation files on the hard drive.
Again, when reinstalling all the programs included in the main package of MS Office, the user will receive a “clean” product, and you will have to manually rebuild it for yourself.
It is necessary to pay attention to the removal process. Normal removal from Explorer with a move to the Trash is not recommended. Here you need to use a special Windows tool in the form of a disk cleanup where MS Office installation components are selected.
Conclusion
Here, in fact, in a nutshell, and everything related to the topic "MSOcache: what kind of folder?". Now each user is free to choose whether to leave this directory on the hard drive or delete it. However, you can still advise you not to touch this folder, since the restoration of programs in the form that the user needs is done, firstly, automatically, and secondly, much faster than re-installation.
The only thing you need to pay attention to is the removal method, otherwise you can cause irreparable harm to the entire system as a whole.