Join the AMA (Ask Me Anything) with the Firefox leadership team to celebrate Firefox 20th anniversary and discuss Firefox’s future on Mozilla Connect. Mark your calendar on Thursday, November 14, 18:00 - 20:00 UTC!

This site will have limited functionality while we undergo maintenance to improve your experience. If an article doesn't solve your issue and you want to ask a question, we have our support community waiting to help you at @FirefoxSupport on Twitter and/r/firefox on Reddit.

Avatar for Username

Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

This thread was archived. Please ask a new question if you need help.

There are 40 files beginning with api-ms-win-crt are they needed for windows 7 to use FireFox ?

GrahamEverson
GrahamEverson
more options

My Mozilla FireFox is being used on my PC with Windows 7 installed, I have noticed 40 files that are using the same file name as used in the C:\windows\winsxs folder.; Are these file needed to run Mozilla FireFox ? Can I remove these files ? Will microsoft gain access to Mozilla, Windows, my PC using these file's and built in back doors in these files ?

If the can't be removed, if they are not neccessary to run Mozilla FireFox, and if these files are giving Microsoft access to these area's why ?

My Mozilla FireFox is being used on my PC with Windows 7 installed, I have noticed 40 files that are using the same file name as used in the C:\windows\winsxs folder.; Are these file needed to run Mozilla FireFox ? Can I remove these files ? Will microsoft gain access to Mozilla, Windows, my PC using these file's and built in back doors in these files ? If the can't be removed, if they are not neccessary to run Mozilla FireFox, and if these files are giving Microsoft access to these area's why ?
Attached screenshots

Chosen solution

Please consider turning on send info to Mozilla before posting a question. This helps us help you.

Do this about a week after major Windows Updates for all Windows 7-10 https://www.laptopmag.com/articles/clean-winsxs-folder-to-save-space Microsoft Disk Cleanup should be run weekly as a cleanup chore and before you defrag.

Note : Firefox 56.0.2 is current release https://www.mozilla.org/firefox/all/ Full Version Installer Note : Firefox 57 Quantum release date Nov 14th https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/quantum/ Note : Legacy Extensions will be disabled and or removed.

Please let us know if this solved your issue or if need further assistance.

Read this answer in context 👍 0

All Replies (3)

Shadow110
Shadow110
more options

Chosen Solution

Please consider turning on send info to Mozilla before posting a question. This helps us help you.

Do this about a week after major Windows Updates for all Windows 7-10 https://www.laptopmag.com/articles/clean-winsxs-folder-to-save-space Microsoft Disk Cleanup should be run weekly as a cleanup chore and before you defrag.

Note : Firefox 56.0.2 is current release https://www.mozilla.org/firefox/all/ Full Version Installer Note : Firefox 57 Quantum release date Nov 14th https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/quantum/ Note : Legacy Extensions will be disabled and or removed.

Please let us know if this solved your issue or if need further assistance.

cor-el
cor-el
  • Moderator
  • Top 10 Contributor
more options

That are C runtime library files that are used by various Windows versions to provide access to API functions. Just leave them in place or otherwise Firefox might not function properly.

Modified by cor-el

GrahamEverson
GrahamEverson Question owner
more options

My question still stands, but I will as it in a different way ;)

Who created these file's was it Microsoft ?