Support assistant's storage consumption

[DebSantu]

I have been using HP support assistant for a few days. I have noticed this app is taking a great amount of storage space.

 Which type of files does it save on disc? Does it save all the files only in the 'SWSetup' folder ?

And most importantly which files are safe to remove ?

[Dragon-Fur · Accepted solution]

@DebSantu 

SWSetup is the "backup" folder where installed software is stored.

You can remove the content located in folder SWSetup after the software is installed.

If the driver / software is needed again later, you'll have to get is from your computer's support Software and Drivers or re-run HP Support Assistant.

Do not remove the SWSetup folder.

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[DebSantu]

Thank you very much for the information. As I am still a noob, at first I thought that this folder is only used by the HP support assistant app. After reading a few posts in HP community about this 'SWSetup' folder, I have learned that this folder also contains some of the driver files that came with my device and some of them might be unavailable even in HP website.

I want keep those files which are so important and also the latest drivers. But I want to delete the older versions of drivers and useless files. How can I recognize which subfolder (in the SWSetup folder) is for which deriver and which subfolders and files are safe to delete?

[Dragon-Fur]

@DebSantu 

You are welcome.

Like other files you want to save, you have to option to add the folder to your backups.  For example, if you are using File History as one of your backup methods, add the SWSetup folder to your Libraries to add the folder to the backups.

You can also back up the content to a USB drive for safe keeping.  Simple and easy.

Which files to keep?

If you are not sure which files were part of the original setup, list the contents of the folder using "Details" and sort according to date / modified date.  Consider that the oldest files, perhaps a group with the same date, are the "originals".

Save or delete files using your criteria for managing the space.

General Reminder:

1. One copy of (the original folder / file) data is a recipe to lose the data - if not today, perhaps tomorrow.
2. Two copies (original and one backup) of data sounds good until you lose the original - then you are back to having one copy.
3. Three copies of data sounds better - in fact, it is usually better.

Consider keeping backups of your most critical data in different locations and perhaps using different backup schemes.

For example, back up folders / files to a USB drive, save those folders / files in your backups (for example, File History to an "off computer" location), use disk recovery software to back up / image your disk (for example, Macrium Reflect).

What else?

Cloud Storage is available - free up to a point and then as a subscription for extra space.  Excellent option.

Read the "small print" - regardless of whether the option appears safe, you might well be "on your own" if / when you lose data from your Cloud storage drive / location.

Remember:  Not every bit of data you have is equally important - consider what you can't lose, what you don't want to lose, and what you can actually live without.

Stay Safe.

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Our Community is comprised of volunteers - people who own and use HP devices.

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Question Resolved / Answered, Click "Accept as Solution"

[DebSantu]

Thanks a lot for explaining everything in details. 

[Dragon-Fur]

@DebSantu 

You are welcome!

Stay Safe.

Thank you for participating in the HP Community.

The Community is a separate wing of the HP website - We are not an HP business group.

Our Community is comprised of volunteers - people who own and use HP devices.

Click Thumbs Up to say Thank You.

Question Resolved / Answered, Click "Accept as Solution"