MS Office for Mac / trimming down the fat!!

Maximus · Jul 28, 2011

Hi!

I've got MS Office 2008 installed, however, I really only use Word, Excel, Powerpoint but very rarely. I do not use Entourage at all since I've switched to the Mail app.

My question is: in my /Documents folder, I have Microsoft User Data folder, which currently weighs 57 GBs!! Not only am I itching to delete Entourage, as I don't want it to take up space, but also what would happen if I deleted the folder? Could I still use Word and Excel without a problem??

I would really like to trim the Microsoft fat on my Mac!!

Lifeisabeach · Jul 28, 2011

Maximus said:
Hi!

I've got MS Office 2008 installed, however, I really only use Word, Excel, Powerpoint but very rarely. I do not use Entourage at all since I've switched to the Mail app.

My question is: in my /Documents folder, I have Microsoft User Data folder, which currently weighs 57 GBs!! Not only am I itching to delete Entourage, as I don't want it to take up space, but also what would happen if I deleted the folder? Could I still use Word and Excel without a problem??

I would really like to trim the Microsoft fat on my Mac!!

I can't answer your specific question, but if you use it that rarely, perhaps you should consider dropping it entirely and using a free alternative like LibreOffice. It's compatible with Office formats and while not as fully featured as Office is, it may be good enough for your needs.

Maximus · Jul 28, 2011

lifeisabeach said:
I can't answer your specific question, but if you use it that rarely, perhaps you should consider dropping it entirely and using a free alternative like LibreOffice. It's compatible with Office formats and while not as fully featured as Office is, it may be good enough for your needs.

Well, I still use Word and Excel extensively. Will deleting the Microsoft User Data file disable the use of Word and Excel?

Lifeisabeach · Jul 28, 2011

Maximus said:
Well, I still use Word and Excel extensively. Will deleting the Microsoft User Data file disable the use of Word and Excel?

As before, I can't answer that specific question. Have you looked at the contents to see what's in there? You can always try making a backup copy of it, then deleting the original and see if it has an effect on your work. Barring that, perhaps someone else will come along who can provide more insight.

schweb · Jul 28, 2011

Maximus said:
Well, I still use Word and Excel extensively. Will deleting the Microsoft User Data file disable the use of Word and Excel?

Yes, it will. However that size is crazy. What folder/file in there is taking up so much space?

As an example, My Microsoft User Data folder takes up 88MB and that includes data from 2004, 2008, and 2011.

Maximus · Jul 28, 2011

schweb said:
Yes, it will. However that size is crazy. What folder/file in there is taking up so much space?

As an example, My Microsoft User Data folder takes up 88MB and that includes data from 2004, 2008, and 2011.

It's the Office 2008 Identities folder, which then has the Main identity and seven (why on earth?!) back up folders.

I'd attach a picture, but don't know how to...

schweb · Jul 28, 2011

Maximus said:
It's the Office 2008 Identities folder, which then has the Main identity and seven (why on earth?!) back up folders.

I'd attach a picture, but don't know how to...

You can delete the backup folders. But you need to keep the main identity if you plan on using Entourage/Outlook. If not, you can delete that one also.

You should however back them up and try it before permanently deleting them.

Maximus · Jul 28, 2011

schweb said:
You can delete the backup folders. But you need to keep the main identity if you plan on using Entourage/Outlook. If not, you can delete that one also.

You should however back them up and try it before permanently deleting them.

I now only use Mail app to check my emails, but I want to keep Entourage, just in case i need to open a mail message (when it is attached to another email or something)...sometimes they are attached in the Windows format which Mail doesn't read. However, to do that, I don't need any of the data that Entourage stores.

I'll have a go at backing up and then deleting all folders.

Thanks!