Why not delete CollectedData*.xml files ?

Hello,

Since a lots of years I deletes CollectedData*.xml files (like :C:\WINDOWS\pchealth\helpctr\DataColl\CollectedData_65.xml) and the o.s. run fine!

After CClean running, this files are again in the system

What think about ?

Thanks

Luciana

ops someone answer ? :rolleyes:

Thanks !

Hi, welcome to the forums (even if my welcome is over half a year late D: )

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/q308549/

System History

System Information in Windows XP provides a new view of changes to the computer. Rather than a separate history view for each category as was shown in Windows 98, Windows XP enables you to view all changes to the computer since a certain date, and time.

The history information is provided in the same three main categories that were provided in the Standard view: Hardware Resources, Components and Software Environment. History Information is provided by WMI, and is stored in the Extensible Markup Language (XML) data files located in Windows\PCHealth\HelpCtr\Datacoll.

I see no reason why these should be deleted, unless you're pressed for space. Perhaps you could delete all but the most recent few, but it doesn't look like deleting all of them would be a good idea.

Just my two cents :)

Hi Luciana, a welcome from me too.

I was thinking along the same lines as my friend above, but having a look inside that folder on my XP machine, I only have 1.3MB, in 16 files, in that folder.

The most recent date on them is 2007, which is when I disabled the "Help and Support" service, which I never use.

I'm not suggesting you do the same, but I believe they would only be needed in the event of accessing "Remote Help", as the remote "Helper" would use them to analyze your System Information.

This is a personal choice thing again. Do you think you would ever need to access "Remote Help"?