Horizons Can I (should I?) Delete the 32 Bit ED?

mossfoot · Dec 16, 2015

Updating today I noticed that not only do I have the option to play Horizons, 64-bit ED and 32-bit ED, but that while Horizons and 64-bit ED upgrade at the same time, 32-bit has to be upgraded separately.

That got me thinking, is it completely separate on my hard drive? I'm never going to use it, and if it's taking up a lot of space, maybe I should just get rid of it. Can I? Should I?

Roybe · Dec 16, 2015

mossfoot said:
Updating today I noticed that not only do I have the option to play Horizons, 64-bit ED and 32-bit ED, but that while Horizons and 64-bit ED upgrade at the same time, 32-bit has to be upgraded separately.

That got me thinking, is it completely separate on my hard drive? I'm never going to use it, and if it's taking up a lot of space, maybe I should just get rid of it. Can I? Should I?

It is completely separate.

It can be deleted...and reinstalled if you ever want to play the 32 bit game again..<shrug>

(I know this because there is now a 64 bit directory and the old 100x directory)

Kissinger · Dec 16, 2015

Roybe said:
It is completely separate.

It can be deleted...and reinstalled if you ever want to play the 32 bit game again..<shrug>

(I know this because there is now a 64 bit directory and the old 100x directory)

Can anyone advise with authority what can safely be deleted once Horizons 64 bit is installed?

Cyda · Dec 16, 2015

As Roybe correctly says, it is separate, so yes you can delete the old folders - I know this because I did it last night and Horizons worked perfectly fine after doing so.

MattBlaK · Dec 16, 2015

Asked myself the same thing whilst downloading yesterday so I cut it to a second drive.
No effect on the game at all.

Bortas · Dec 16, 2015

You can always move the supposedly obsolete directories into the recycle bin (or somewhere else), try the game out, and permanently delete them if everything works / restore them, if something doesn't work

nrage · Dec 16, 2015

Don't delete the directories directly. Use the launcher. Select the 32 bit install, go to options, select uninstall. It will delete the correct folder for you.

Do this only after you have installed the 64 bit version as I believe most of the 32 bit content is actually identical (because the game has always been 64 bit internally - particularly the game data - which is most of the download). The installer is smart, it will copy existing data that it needs for each installation. This is why my horizons install took no time at all - it canibalised the BETA installation. The 64 bit install will do the same with the 32 bit installation.

Zieman · Dec 16, 2015

nrage said:
The 64 bit install will do the same with the 32 bit installation.

No it won't. Yesterday I had to download the whole bunch anew, even when I had the 32bit version installed already.
Made me wish I had had the beta installed.

nrage · Dec 16, 2015

Zieman said:
No it won't. Yesterday I had to download the whole bunch anew, even when I had the 32bit version installed already.
Made me wish I had had the beta installed.

Hmm.. it is possible it canibalised the beta then, that makes more sense.

mossfoot · Dec 16, 2015

nrage said:
Don't delete the directories directly. Use the launcher. Select the 32 bit install, go to options, select uninstall. It will delete the correct folder for you.

Do this only after you have installed the 64 bit version as I believe most of the 32 bit content is actually identical (because the game has always been 64 bit internally - particularly the game data - which is most of the download). The installer is smart, it will copy existing data that it needs for each installation. This is why my horizons install took no time at all - it canibalised the BETA installation. The 64 bit install will do the same with the 32 bit installation.

Very nice and thorough advice! Rep to you, sir!

Avago Earo · Dec 16, 2015

nrage said:
Don't delete the directories directly. Use the launcher. Select the 32 bit install, go to options, select uninstall. It will delete the correct folder for you.

Do this only after you have installed the 64 bit version as I believe most of the 32 bit content is actually identical (because the game has always been 64 bit internally - particularly the game data - which is most of the download). The installer is smart, it will copy existing data that it needs for each installation. This is why my horizons install took no time at all - it canibalised the BETA installation. The 64 bit install will do the same with the 32 bit installation.

Just did that. Selected 32 bit version then in options selected uninstall. Now I have to download the 64 bit version as it uninstalled the lot.

mossfoot · Dec 16, 2015

Avago Ero said:
Just did that. Selected 32 bit version then in options selected uninstall. Now I have to download the 64 bit version as it uninstalled the lot.

Strange. That didn't happen to me. Horizons and ED64 still show up as Play, while only ED32 has the Install button showing.

Cyda · Dec 16, 2015

The only folder you need to keep for Horizons is in the Products folder and called: elite-dangerous-64

You can delete the rest.

Avago Earo · Dec 16, 2015

mossfoot said:
Strange. That didn't happen to me. Horizons and ED64 still show up as Play, while only ED32 has the Install button showing.

I think I see the mistake I made. I uninstalled ED 64 Bit as well assuming it would just leave me with Horizons. My thinking was why have ED 64 and Horizons, if you follow my logic...?

I guess the two have to stay together

mossfoot · Dec 16, 2015

Avago Ero said:
I think I see the mistake I made. I uninstalled ED 64 Bit as well assuming it would just leave me with Horizons. My thinking was why have ED 64 and Horizons, if you follow my logic...?

I guess the two have to stay together

I get the logic - I might have fallen for that trap too, except that I noticed when I upgraded Horizons the ED64 upgraded as well (but ED32 did not), so I assumed they were linked.

nrage · Dec 16, 2015

Avago Ero said:
Just did that. Selected 32 bit version then in options selected uninstall. Now I have to download the 64 bit version as it uninstalled the lot.

Most odd. The uninstall did not touch my 64 bit or horizons install.

Edit: Ahh.. yes I think Horizons and 64 bit ED/base game are linked (one and the same almost). I've seen similar comments/reports on another thread here somewhere..

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mossfoot said:
I get the logic - I might have fallen for that trap too, except that I noticed when I upgraded Horizons the ED64 upgraded as well (but ED32 did not), so I assumed they were linked.

Me too.. this is why I started by installing/upgrading these two (only it all happened in one) before uninstalling the 32 bit version.