C:\ProgramData\Apple Computer\iTunes taking up too much space, can I delete anything in here?

Question

Level 1

8 points

C:\ProgramData\Apple Computer\iTunes taking up too much space, can I delete anything in here?

Hello.

I'm clearing up space in my C:\ Drive, and this folder: C:\ProgramData\Apple Computer\iTunes is around 25.6GB which I would like to get back.

There's a folder called "adi", "SC info", "iPad devices.xml" and two others which take little to no space. The ones which do, however are called "iPad Temporary Files". I have fifteen of these folders and all of them are called "iPad Temporary Files", "iPad Temporary Files 1" etc., all the way up to "iPad Temporary Files 14".

Each folder has these .dmg files like "048-78047-096.dmg" which take lots of space and some thing called kernelcache.release.ipad6b which also takes some space.

What are these and can I delete them? If not, can I put them in another folder and create a symbolic link for them?

Windows, 6

Posted on Dec 28, 2019 11:44 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

turingtest2

Level 10

274,788 points

Dec 28, 2019 12:46 PM in response to madelain_

I suspect it is safe to delete all of the iPad temporary files. .dmg is a disk image file used for software distribution in the Mac world. I've just found a couple of similar iPhone temporary files folders on my machine. I'm sure they will relate to past firmware updates, perhaps unsuccessful attempts since they probably should have been cleaned up automatically. iTunes isn't great at garbage collection.

tt2

Reply

Answer 2

madelain_ Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 29, 2019 10:49 AM in response to turingtest2

Thank you @turingtest2 and @petra229!

I've put them in a zip file and transferred them to another drive on my computer. I tried opening iTunes and also connected my iPad to iTunes and so far, no issues. I'm happy to have that space back!

Quick question: If I still have questions regarding other parts of iTunes/iPad taking up space, can I just post that question here or post a new question altogether?

Reply

Answer 3

petra229

Level 1

9 points

Dec 28, 2019 12:55 PM in response to madelain_

As far as I know (and I‘m a Windows user from day one) you can delete all temp(orary) folders. If Windows needs them, you‘ll get an error and won‘t be able to delete them.

To be safe, zip the TEMPs, delete them, and look for some days, what‘s going to happen. If everything works well as before, you can delete the files (and the zip-files). If not, unzip the ZIPs and everything is restored.

To get free space, search for „temp“ in Explorer.

You will find a lot of TEMP-files for example in C:\USER\USERNAME\APPDATA and there in the subfolders. I delete these TEMPs regularly without any problems.

But as I wrote in the first paragraph: if you are not sure and like to be careful, zip the TEMPs and look what‘s going to happen.

Reply

Answer 4

madelain_ Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 29, 2019 10:53 AM in response to petra229

Thank you @turingtest2 and @petra229!

I did what you said and zipped the TEMPs. I'll see if anything happens or if I get any errors. I opened up iTunes today after the zipping work and it ran fine. My iPad also was the same when I connected it to iTunes. Thank you for the extra advice regarding the temp files in Explorer.

EDIT: I accidentally marked the wrong post as helpful. I don't know how to undo it. Sorry about that.

Reply

Answer 5

turingtest2

Level 10

274,788 points

Dec 29, 2019 11:55 AM in response to madelain_

madelain_ wrote:

Quick question: If I still have questions regarding other parts of iTunes/iPad taking up space, can I just post that question here or post a new question altogether?

You can carry on in this thread, but a fresh question might get more eyes on it.

tt2

Reply

Answer 6

madelain_ Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 30, 2019 2:37 AM in response to turingtest2

Thanks! I'll make a new thread then!

Reply

C:\ProgramData\Apple Computer\iTunes taking up too much space, can I delete anything in here?

Similar questions