deleting the software update cache

Question

deleting the software update cache

I discovered over 1Gb of .tar files today in my Software Update cache folder. I presume it's OK to delete these without breaking anything? Why on earth does SU even keep these files? If I'd chosen to "keep packages after download" then I'd have had them all again, duplicated!?!

In fact, same question goes for my ~/Library/Caches folder in general, which is 1.5 Gb. I assume it's safe enough to delete anything, without any adverse effects?

TIA,
Rich

BeigeG3 400/256/40 OS921, PismoG3 400/640/40 Mac OS X (10.3.9)

BeigeG3 400/256/40 OS921, PismoG3 400/640/40

Posted on Jan 26, 2006 1:34 PM

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Answer 1

Kappy

Level 10

362,007 points

Jan 26, 2006 3:57 PM in response to Rich in Berlin

Yes, you can delete cache contents. Perhaps you should install the shareware utility Macaroni. It will run the Unix maintenance scripts regardless of whether your computer is running 24/7. Not running the maintenance scripts is one reason the caches fill up. The scripts would normally run automatically early in the AM, but if your computer is not turned on or is sleeping, then the scripts will not run. Macaroni will "fix" that. You can also use one of the maintenance utilities such as Cocktail, Onyx, Panther Cache Cleaner, TinkerTool System, etc. to perform cache cleaning and other maintenance clean-up.

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Answer 2

Feb 1, 2006 3:28 AM in response to Kappy

Good tips, thank you!

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