XP: What is the Msocache Folder and How to Remove It
Contributed by David Kirk 
Tagged: Microsoft Office Local Install Source copies Office installation source files from the Microsoft Office 2003 installation media into a hidden folder on the hard drive called the Msocache folder. This describes how to remove this folder.
Local Install Source creates this hidden folder when Office 2003 is installed to prevent the user from having to insert the CD during installation and maintenance.
It usually takes up > 200 MB of space. You’ll have to decide if this convenience is worth the hard drive space or not.
You can prevent it from being place on your drive in the first place by selecting Delete installation files check box during the installation.
Removing it once it is created is not difficult. 1. Do not use explorer to delete this folder. Just running the Disk Cleanup Wizard will take care of it.
- 1. Click Start
2. Select All Programs
3. Select Accessories
4. Select System Tools
5. Click Disk Cleanup
6. Disk Cleanup will do its calculations
7. From the Drives list in the Select Drive dialog box, select the hard drive that contains the Msocache folder
8. More calculations…
9. Select the Office Setup Files checkbox in the Files to Delete list
10. Click OK.
11. When you are asked Are you sure you want to delete these files? select Yes
Moving or repairing of this folder is possible as well. Just use this tool:
http://www.microsoft.com/office/ork/2003/journ/listool.htm
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des said on October 10, 2008
i found this folder on my DATA partiotion drive and deleted it from there, now certain office updates are failing to install, what should i do
Randy said on November 4, 2008
Remove and then install Office. And as is mentioned above check delete installation files during installation.
brat said on November 8, 2008
hey! i dont have the option to select “Office setup files” and i want to get rid of it. i have an msocache folder on both drives c and d.
Michal Patch Software said on November 18, 2008
Thanks mate, this has helped me a lot.
Anil Kumar said on December 4, 2008
How to use MSOCache? Please tell about what is use of this sofware brifly.
Gonzo40 said on December 17, 2008
thx for help but nothing changed
VedicMania said on January 11, 2009
Sorry Dude! It dsn’t wrk.
I didn’t get ne such thing as “Office Setup Files” checkbox in the Files to Delete list.
Suggest smthin lse!
DJ said on January 21, 2009
This is an old article, and relates to Office 2003 only.
With Office 2007 you should not delete this folder (hence not having the option to remove office setup files) as they are used whenever office needs to update or patch itself.
It’s now a directory we have to live with I’m afraid!
sagar said on February 12, 2009
im using office 2007 . i dont have the option to select “Office setup files” and i want to get rid of it. i have an msocache folder on both drives c and d.
guri said on June 26, 2009
i dont have the option to select “Office setup files”. i have an msocache in drives c.what to do? so that i get rid of it.
SRIKANTH said on July 5, 2009
Please dont remove this Folder, It occupies only 315 MB and is useful for your Office 2003….
SRIKANTH
J. Nygren said on September 2, 2009
Are these instructions from Microsoft?! Everything goes smoothly until you get to step #9. There your discover there is no “Office Setup Files checkbox” to select. Sigh…
Anonymous said on November 26, 2009
Thaks alot your good information
It is complete and clear information
Anonymous said on March 18, 2010
more calculation tab dosnt appear to me can u please help mo out!!!!
Anonymous said on April 30, 2010
Thanks a lot guyz…very helpful advise to me. more power!
Anonymous said on April 30, 2010
Thanks a lot guyz..
TOTOS said on May 29, 2010
THANSK SOOOOOOOOO MUCH
Wes Cook said on August 30, 2010
Same here. Is it safe to remove via explorer?
user said on September 19, 2010
In my hdd it occupies already 731 MB. I would like to use this space for something useful.
Theprophet007 said on December 16, 2010
I had a trial version of Microsoft Office 2007, it expired and I’m now using open office instead. I uninstalled Microsoft Office and the MSO cache file is still there. I know that I won’t be buying the software so I’m not worried about failed patch updates and stuff so can I delete these files in windows explorer without any unexpected errors?