Anybody know what the C:\WINDOWS\VCM directory is used for?

It has files in it that are duplicated in other areas. I've seen articles
and posts in here that indicate you need to place files in here but why?

The files here are files that are put there by the system when other
(usually earlier) versions of the same file are installed on the PC by
programs with certificates - so that if required, they can be restored to
the original version.
This is a separate store to that used by System File Protection.

It's not good practice for the user to put files into this folder.

HTH

--
Noel Paton (MS-MVP 2002-2004, Win9x)

Nil Carborundum Illegitemi
http://www.btinternet.com/~winnoel/millsrpch.htm
Please read http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm on how to post messages to NG's

"Det.John.Kimble" <Shutup@Stop-Your-Whining.com> wrote in message
news:eMHJXfWvDHA.2540@TK2MSFTNGP09.phx.gbl...

Wouldn't these files also be part of the System Restore files though? What
would reload them?

There are 177 files taking 53MB of space. Do these files ever disappear or
get cleaned up?

None of these files would affect a running system? ie. none of these files
are ever loaded?



"Noel Paton" <NoelDPspamless@btopenworld.com> wrote in message
news:ev54UCXvDHA.2080@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...

The most frequent cause of files appearing in the VCM folder is reinstalling
ME over itself using the CD - when all the older file versions are forcibly
reinstalled. The newer ones are archived to the VCM folder, since SR is
deactivated during the ME Setup (unfortunately!)
This actually gives a good way to check that your updates have been
reinstalled properly - since the files in the VCM folder should be the same
version as (or older than) the ones in a fully updated system. I wouldn't
recommend just using these file to replace the existing ones, though, as
some need to be properly re-registered, etc. - and others may replace more
than one file!


--
Noel Paton (MS-MVP 2002-2004, Win9x)

Nil Carborundum Illegitemi
http://www.btinternet.com/~winnoel/millsrpch.htm
Please read http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm on how to post messages to NG's

"Det.John.Kimble" <Shutup@Stop-Your-Whining.com> wrote in message
news:%23E0uWCavDHA.3532@TK2MSFTNGP11.phx.gbl...

Thanks for the great info Noel.

When I sort that directory by date, there are three modified dates that are
asscociated with these files, 11/24/01, 02/14/02 & 07/06/03. Is it safe to
assume that this system had WinMe reloaded/repaired on those three dates?

I'd like to purge that directory. Any downside to doing that?

BTW, this is a friends system that I have been asked to fix and it's just
about to the point I want it at.

Thank you for all your help!


"Noel Paton" <NoelDPspamless@btopenworld.com> wrote in message
news:uwgzjKavDHA.2304@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...

If the files on the system are up-to-date, and the files in VCM are older
than the ones on the system, I can't see any problem in deleting them,
although strictly speaking I suspect that they should be left - what I would
do, though, is back them up to CD on a just-in-case basis.

If someone's done three reinstalls of ME over itself, I suspect you'll be
glad to see the back of that box!<g>

Looking at the contents of my VCM folder, I see that it's full of IE files
from when I was playing a few months back - so it may also be that
un/reinstalling IE<whatever> also affects the VCM files (can't think why
SR/SFPO isn't used for that - but maybe it's a cross-platform
installer/uninstaller?)

Look at the properties of a few of the files - that should give you a clue
as to what was involved

just as a quick check -
smgr.exe will indicate an ME reinstall
shdocvw.dll indicates and IE (un/re)install (or possibly repair)

The fact that there's three sets of files would tend to indicate that
there's a third re-install that's used this ability - possibly Office?

--
Noel Paton (MS-MVP 2002-2004, Win9x)


Nil Carborundum Illegitemi
http://www.btinternet.com/~winnoel/millsrpch.htm
Please read http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm on how to post messages to NG's

"Det.John.Kimble" <Shutup@Stop-Your-Whining.com> wrote in message
news:O5UuipavDHA.3496@TK2MSFTNGP11.phx.gbl...

Ooohhh, you have no idea! After three years at the hands of three teenagers
loading everything under the sun. Spyware infested, viruses, a trojan,
failed IE 6.0 upgrade, you name it.

She owes me a 350Z for this resurrection! ;-)

Of course, it'll probably be a smoldering ruin within months after its
return. I'm a hopeless realist...


"Noel Paton" <NoelDPspamless@btopenworld.com> wrote in message
news:erifv1avDHA.1908@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...

Personally - I'd have done a reformat on it in those circumstances!

--
Noel Paton (MS-MVP 2002-2004, Win9x)

Nil Carborundum Illegitemi
http://www.btinternet.com/~winnoel/millsrpch.htm
Please read http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm on how to post messages to NG's

"Det.John.Kimble" <Shutup@Stop-Your-Whining.com> wrote in message
news:%23PmMFFbvDHA.1760@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...

That was my first inclination too but I wanted to see if I could get it into
reasonably stable condition. I was concerned with loosing some of their
data although I think I've backed up most of it. Also, she didn't send me
all the install CDs for her software like I asked her to. The less they
install the better.

I might still have to do a reinstall though. There are still some signs of
flakiness with a new wireless card I installed. Their monitoring app
crashes.

The fun just never ends... ;-)


"Noel Paton" <NoelDPspamless@btopenworld.com> wrote in message
news:u89gVNbvDHA.2712@TK2MSFTNGP11.phx.gbl...

IKWYM!

--
Noel Paton (MS-MVP 2002-2004, Win9x)

Nil Carborundum Illegitemi
http://www.btinternet.com/~winnoel/millsrpch.htm
Please read http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm on how to post messages to NG's

"Det.John.Kimble" <Shutup@Stop-Your-Whining.com> wrote in message
news:OMEDNhbvDHA.2148@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
<snip>>

FWIW, there are only 16 files in my VCM folder, totaling 2.5 MB. Most
are WinME network utilities and DLL's. This was an in-place upgrade
from OSR 2.1.

As I understand Mr. Kimble's WinME box and its users, a migration to XP
Home with its better security, and individual logon features, might be
the ticket to more stability.
--
Jack E. Martinelli 2002-04 MVP for Win9X / DTS
Help us help you: http://www.dts-L.org/goodpost.htm
Your cooperation is appreciated.
____
"Det.John.Kimble" <Shutup@Stop-Your-Whining.com> wrote in message
news:OMEDNhbvDHA.2148@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...