bootsect.bak and related files in c: drive

Question

i noticed some weird files recently in the c: drive of my new dell inspiron desktop: c:\bootsect.bak and c:\bootmgr. i googled the file names, but all of the results were about windows xp or dual booting xp and vista. does anyone know what those files would be doing there and is it safe to delete them? i have vista basic, btw.

AuthorPa · Answer

bootsect.bat is similar to boot.ini with Windows XP and other legacy OS's bootmgr is a program used to fix any issues you may have with your Vista installation booting.   Do not, I repeat DO NOT delete either of these files unless you feel like reinstalling Windows.

AuthorPa · Answer

hahahaha you must have been tech support before!!!!!  That was the comment of a previously emplyed by tech support person.

Rebel9 · Answer

'does anyone know what those files would be doing there and is it safe to delete them?'   Why on earth would you want to delete ANYTHING that you are not familiar with? There are probably thousands of files that you (or most users) have absolutely no idea what their purpose is. You could certainly free up a lot of disk space by deleting them, but then you'd have a paperweight rather than a computer.

joejoseph · Answer

so these files are normal vista files and i should just leave them be?

AuthorPa · Answer

Do not, I repeat DO NOT delete either of these files unless you feel like reinstalling Windows.   Yes, these files are needed by Windows.  Do not delete them.  And, as the other person stated, if you don't know what it is, you shouldn't delete it.

Rebel9 · Answer

'so these files are normal vista files and i should just leave them be?'   That's just like saying 'I have no clue what all these wires inside my computer are used for - but they look weird - Can I rip them out ???'   And then you'll ask why your computer won't work ???????

C3PO5 · Answer

http://www.eggheadcafe.com/software/aspnet/28939510/-bootsectbak.aspx You can delete bootsect.bak click the link . But not boot manager it is protected by the system that is why it is hidden or should be!! Goggle is your friend use it !! You get to many wrong answers when you do not use goggle or windows search !! Yes you can leave it if you want to . Good Luck

joejoseph · Answer

bootmgr was hidden originally, but bootsect.bak wasn't. that one was always visable, and that was what got me curious. that link says the file is left over from a previous install of xp. could there have been a previous version of windows on this hd?

Roger1955 · Answer

Great link C3P05!

I can now delete bootsect.bak. I did an upgrade from XP to Vista(I might add,without a hitch)! Thanks:smileyhappy:

Roger1955

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Message Edited by Roger1955 on 12-22-2007 09:23 AM

Message Edited by Roger1955 on 12-22-2007 09:23 AM

C3PO5 · Answer

Hi Your Welcome Good Luck

joejoseph · Answer

ok so i can delete bootsect.bak, but not bootmgr or any of the other hidden sys files. thanks for the replies.

C3PO5 · Answer

ok so i can delete bootsect.bak, but not bootmgr or any of the other hidden sys files. Hi Yes that's right no hidden files leave them alone or you will destroy windows!!   See Yea.

C3PO5 · Answer

Hi joejoseph There may not have been another version of windows on the drive to start with but windows will make a bootsect.bak even if there was not one on the drive its a windows thing ! Good Luck

Windows General

bootsect.bak and related files in c: drive

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