When it comes to downloading and installing software, do you (or anyone else) actually keep the install files on an SSD after the software's been installed?

I’ve got a backup SSD where I keep all my downloaded software for my Mac, and yesterday I had to pull everything off because the drive was starting to show signs of failing. This now gives me a chance to sort through everything.

Considering I’ve got a Time Machine backup of my MacBook with all my programs and plugins, so do I really need to keep all these install files, or should I just let them go?

 

There is absolutely no way I would waste SSD space over an already installed program. Price per gb is too high to just sit there. Get an HDD if you want to do that kind of content backup, otherwise just delete everything.

 

Yep. I STILL have my very first installation files on Floppy Discs too! Win3.1.1.(cant remember if it was 3 or 4 discs) Progressing to CD, then DVD, USB Sticks and now Hard Drives/ SSD.

 

Hello @Vincent Price, yes, I always keep everything, and I rename the folder. For example, it looks like this:
Pitch Innovations - Sonic Atlas v1.0.1 VST3 - 05.11.2025 - 200 MB - KG - R2R, so that I can find everything again later if needed.
I often include the plugin's PDFs and images in the folder, which I then compress using WinRAR.

I move the folder to an external SSD, which I keep securely in a fireproof case. Even if the internet crashes tomorrow, I'll have everything I need. Backups aren't 100% reliable, so I also burn the most important files to Blu-ray. Even if a flood ruins my computer, my data is safe. Always prepare for the worst: total data loss, complete PC failure, or ransomware encryption. Consider that you too can become a victim of burglary and theft. What do thieves usually take first?

Data backup and labeling are hard work, but they always pay off.

 

Last edited: Nov 7, 2025 at 10:30 AM

I used to keep almost everything I installed, even stuff that I would later uninstall. These days, because I am running out of cloud storage due to Kontakt libraries, I've really been thinking about only keeping a handful of plugins that I really reach for. Sadly, there's no "plugin usage" counter on Studio One, so that makes things a little difficult. For me, really, it's just about convenience if I have to reinstall the whole system (which I haven't done since Windows 8, before even 8.1). I have backup images and the system is in a very well-kept state, so honestly, it's really just hoarding mentality.

 

I keep things I will need if I am going to do a system restore. For instance, MacOS Catalina will no longer install the most current version of a few things like 3rd party Logitech mouse, keyboard; and so i keep an older copy of their installer, or the version of Opera I like. But the issue with those that make them worth keeping is because they are difficult to find sometimes due to updates. Not because the little guy company has gone out of business.

Back many years ago, prior to the explosive proliferation of high speed internet for home users; not everything was backed up in such a way things did end up not getting archived. The worst exception to this is any freeware, because people think they will always be able to just go get another free copy. Unfortunately, the freeware being free is ironically the reason why the developers website will no longer be around to get a new copy of your file.

 

A 20TB HD is a couple of hundred bucks these days. Plenty of space to store stuff you'd like to keep, but don't need to access often...

 

I keep all installation files, except if the SW in question has been updated several times since.
On several occasions i have been very pleased to have older stuff still lying around when I needed it in some way.
Disk space is so cheap these days. What's a few TB between friends?

 

Every installation file, but more importantly, every library is always backed up (mirrored) to at least two other disks for storage. I don't want a 180 GB Kontakt library to be lost because of a potential crash. So, some 12–15 TB in a few closets are enough for me so far.

 

SSDs aren't aimed for longtime storage, they need to be written all the time. HDDs are the choice for backups. They are way more reliable and safe. And yes, I try to backup all I use.

 

i would never trust anything like timemachine - and not even making cloned images of HDs - to have a restore option for my personal system.

keeping all installers, files and information you onced used to install something in a single place is the most safe method of beeing able to reproduce the whole computer setup (as well as single application installs) if anything goes wrong or you you want to copy or have to replace the hardware.

this applies to all kind of software installs, from pure files over "drag installs" to cracked software or legit software with dongle protection. always keep everything in once place.

in 10 years from now you will not even be able to remember how somethign was called, from where you bought it, or where you have stored the serialnumber.