is it OK to delete some folders in the SQL Server installation files?

Question

Hello Chaps,

I'm currently having a debate with some colleagues about deleting certain folders in an unpacked SQL Server ISO. For example, if you look at the contents of SQL Server 2008 R2, there are folders relative to the target architecture. Folders named ia64, x64 and x86, each having their own setup100.exe file. My colleague is saying if you are installing SQL Server on an x64 machine, it is ok to delete the ia64 and x86 folders (yes he's that concerned with saving disk space -_-). Is this true? To me it just doesn't seem like a good idea but I could be wrong. Thanks in advance!

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Answer 1

How much space you can save by deleting these folders and its not best practice to delete any installation folders-

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Answer 2

Hi Rob,

Now the disk (not fast one) is cheap. Your colleague's concerned is not necessary. AFAIK when you install SQL Server on a X86 machine, it is ok to deleted ia64 and x64 folders. But when you  install SQL Server on a X64/ia 64 machine ,it is wrong to delete X86 folder. Because some shared feature in SQL Server for all versions are in X86 folder.

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Best Regards,
Peja

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Answer 3

Gratitude for the replies guys. I brought up the point to them it was shared features but wasn't sure. I also agree it's not a best practice to delete installation folders.

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