this should answer your questions
Msocache Folder

Thanks for the information....I followed the instructions for removing this file and it didn't exactly work...it made it smaller, but didn't get rid of it. I guess it doesn't hurt to be there, though.

no I would not remove it especially because of this:
"This is known as a Local Install Source so that you do not have to insert the CD during subsequent setup or repair procedures."

if you remove it you will have to have your discs present to insert when doing those updates.

why from what the link provided did you think you would want to remove this file? And where did you find directions for removal?

The link you provided above had instructions on removal...those instructions didn't remove the file, but did make it smaller...I do have the CD's for my Office 2003

Will I have problems in the future for having removed the part that I did. It states not to remove it by using Windows Explorer, but to remove it by using the scan disc feature...

Below is the copy/paste from the link you provided

Warning Never delete the MSOCACHE folder by using Microsoft Windows Explorer.

To do this, follow these steps:
Click Start, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click Disk Cleanup.
In the Select Drive dialog box, in the Drives list, click C:, and then click OK.

Note If you have more than one hard disk, the Office setup files will be on the partition that had the most free space during Office Setup.
Wait for Disk Cleanup to finish checking the drive.
In the Files to Delete list, click to select the Office Setup Files check box, and then click OK.

Note If the size of the Office Setup Files is zero, the Office Setup files are on another hard disk.
When you receive the following message, click Yes:
Are you sure you want to delete these files?

That is what I wanted to know is if you got the directions from that microsoft site that was mentioned in the original link or somewhere else.
I have no idea what part it removed and what part it did not but since you do have your discs and do not mind having to insert them each time you update you should be ok, most people don't want to have to do that or have lost or don't have their discs.
I would have just left it since it does not really take up much room.
Just hang on to your discs and you should be ok just keep it updated.

Yep...it was the Microsoft site that suggested doing that

So...I did remove it before you wrote not to remove it....would it be better to do a system restore and get it back???

I think you would be better off, inserting the office 2003 cd and do a repair, this should write the installation source files back the the Moscache folder,

Open the folder, make note of the existing files inside so you have some reference of whats in the folder,now so after you do the repair you can open the folder again and see the changes that have taken place and of course you will see that the folder has returned to its original size with the addition of added files.

The folder should return to it's original size 259MB is what you stated it was..

Now if you don't want to do a repair, then (try) )the system restore, again making note of the files currently in the folder, and the size of the folder before and after the restore check the folder for changes.

So you have many options here, and if the anything goes wrong and I would not expect it to being that you have the cd 2003 you could uninstall office and reinstall it, that will also replace the files in the Moscache folder also.

If you do a system restore and there is no change in folder size then system restore did not restore those files.

I tried a detect and repair and it put that file back to the size it was before without using my discs...I tried that before the restore, so I seem to be back where I was...and I'll let well enough alone

So...as I understand it...that file is always on your computer, but is usually a hidden file...right? And...for some reason some of us have had it come out in the open...

yes it is normally a hidden file, it could be that for some reason in the past you went into your file options and changed the setting to show hidden files, that is something that often you have to do in some steps of cleaning an infection for example, but then usually the norm is to go back and reset that to how it was by default, I am just speculating but that could be how it happened that you now are seeing some of your "hidden" files.

You should be all back to how it was now in regards to that particular file.

This is the microsoft link on how to show hidden files and folders you can follow the path and see how your's is set.
Show Hidden Program or System Files
default is leaving them hidden.

I've never done that and I've never had an infection that needed cleaning.

I followed the path as you indicated, and that option was, indeed, checked....I put it back to default and that file is now hidden again..

This has all given my little brain a workout :o)

giving those brain cells a work out is a good thing LOL I know mine are old and tired and really protest when I work them out but I get out the whip and chain and force it on them to keep them chugging along.

Not much telling when that got unchecked, if it was ever in for service it could have been or following some direction for some thing could have had someone do that. And the reason it is usually kept hidden is just because of this kind of thing LOL we see something and go hum wonder what that is.

I've seen that same thing before!

Not sure if it is a hidden FOLDER , it could be. You get files and folders mixed up, we are dealing with a folder here (MSOCache) that's the folder -- and in side that folder are FILES that's what we want to replace, using the options in the other post.

That folder and the files inside are created when you first installed office 2003 or who ever did, you said it was created Sept,18 so I would think that's when office was installed, if the date and the install don't match then I don't know....Sept 18 of last year???

Sorry about that everyone posted at same time....

Nope...Office wasn't installed then...that's what had me going because I couldn't think of a think that happened like that in September...I haven't ever had this computer in the shop either...it was just a strange thing to have nappened, but all seems to be well....for the time being anyway. I don't like these things that just "happen". I can udnerstand when I'm dinking around with something and gets it messed up, but I was innocent this time.

Glad it is sorted,

zep