Question

I had huge problems with Office applications on my last computer, after accidentally deleting the Office Setup Files, while using the Disk Cleanup Utility. Is there a way to permanently remove Office Setup Files as an option, on the list of things to be cleaned, so this can't happen in the future?

Answer

Local Install Source is a Setup feature that copies the install source files from the Microsoft Office 2003 installation media to the Msocache folder. This folder is required by Microsoft Office to perform the following operations:

• Detect and Repair
• On-demand Install
• Maintenance Mode Setup
• Installation of service packs and patches

Deleting the Local Install Source (Msocache folder) would free 250+ MB in your hard disk. But you will be prompted to insert the the Microsoft Office CD every time when one of the above operations occur.

Preventing accidental removal of Local Install Source

To prevent accidental deletion of the Msocache folder when using the Disk Cleanup utility, you may remove the Office Setup Files entry from the Disk Cleanup listing. Follow these steps:

• Click Start, Run and type Regedit.exe
• Navigate to the following branch:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SOFTWARE \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Explorer \ VolumeCaches

• Backup the Office Setup Files branch by exporting it to a file
• Delete Office Setup Files branch
• Quit Registry Editor.