- The ota-artifacts folder of NVIDIA stores update files and can accumulate several unnecessary GB.
- Removing ota-artifacts is safe and does not affect the operation of the graphics card or its components. drivers.
- There is no official option to prevent this from accumulating, so it is advisable to periodically clean this directory.
It has surely happened to you: suddenly, your computer with Windows starts running slower than usual, and upon further investigation, you discover that the disk is almost full. After a couple of searches, you find a suspiciously large folder within the NVIDIA files, called ota-artifactsIf you're wondering why that folder is taking up so much space, what it's for, and whether it's safe to delete, we'll explain everything in detail here.
In this article we are going to analyze What is the NVIDIA ota-artifacts folder?, why it can take up several gigabytes of space on your hard drive, how you can manage it safely, and what consequences deleting its contents can have. We also share practical tips to improve your PC's performance and free up space safely, and, above all, why this folder appears first.
Why is free space so important in Windows?
Windows, like most of OS modern, requires a minimum amount of free disk space to function properly. This space is primarily used as virtual memory When the computer runs out of physical RAM, in addition to being necessary for updates, Temporary files and other basic system tasks.
It is generally recommended to keep at least 10% of the hard drive free to avoid performance issues. If this percentage drops below this limit, you'll notice slowdowns, unexpected crashes, and erratic behavior in various applications.
First, the usual thing is to check the folder Downloads and delete unnecessary files. However, sometimes the culprit for the space taken up can be in less obvious places, such as specialized application directories, for example, graphics card drivers like NVIDIA.
What exactly is the NVIDIA ota-artifacts folder?
Chances are, if you have an NVIDIA graphics card and haven't formatted your computer in a while, you'll notice that the folder NVIDIA Corporation It takes up a considerable amount of space. Within its subfolders, one of the "heaviest" is usually the one called UpdateFramework/ota-artifacts.
In some cases, the size of this directory can exceed 16 GB. This is because within ota-artifacts are stored update files from the drivers and the NVIDIA software itself that you have installed over time.
The usual directory structure is as follows:
- C:/ProgramData/NVIDIA Corporation/NVIDIA App/UpdateFramework/ota-artifacts
Sometimes the contents of this folder can equal or even exceed the total space occupied by the rest of the NVIDIA application directories.
Is it safe to remove OTA artifacts? Does NVIDIA recommend it?
One of the most common questions is whether it's safe to delete OTA artifacts and what consequences this might have. The answer is yes. This folder does not contain data essential for the operation of the graphics card nor for the correct performance of the NVIDIA configuration program.
In plain words: You won't lose any custom settings or corrupt your driver installation. If you delete the contents of ota-artifacts, the next time NVIDIA detects an update, it will simply recreate this folder and store new temporary files.
NVIDIA hasn't released specific information about OTA-artifacts on its official channels to the general public, but support forums confirm that it's a temporary folder related to update management.
Of course, You should not delete the root folder of NVIDIA Corporation nor other folders related to the current drivers, as this could render the graphics card unusable.
Why are there so many files piling up in ota-artifacts?
Over time, if you don't format your computer or perform a regular cleanup, each NVIDIA driver and software update leaves traces in the form of temporary files and installers in ota-artifacts. This explains why, on systems where a clean reinstall hasn't been performed in years, the directory size can balloon to unexpected levels.
This phenomenon has been detected mainly since NVIDIA uses a continuous driver update system. Every time a patch is released, even if the update process completes successfully, old files are not always automatically deleted.
Therefore, The user must manually remove ota-artifacts. if you want to free up that space, otherwise the folder will continue to grow with There.
How to identify and access OTA artifacts on your computer
In many cases, the entire route will be invisible to you because ProgramData is a hidden folder by default in WindowsIf you don't see it, you'll need to enable the display of hidden files in your file explorer.
To locate ota-artifacts exactly, follow these steps:
- Open the File Browser and navigate to drive C.
- Click on the top menu and select Show hidden items.
- Find the directory ProgramData.
- Inside that folder, go to NVIDIA Corporation → NVIDIA App → UpdateFramework → ota-artifacts.
Once there, you can examine the total size of that folder and assess whether it's actually taking up a significant portion of your hard drive.
Steps to safely delete ota-artifacts
Deleting ota-artifacts does not require logging in safe mode or use complex utilities. You can do it directly from the Windows File ExplorerSimply follow the steps above to navigate to the path mentioned above and delete the ota-artifacts folder or just the files inside.
You don't need to restart your computer after deleting. The only side effect is that, after a future NVIDIA update, the folder will be regenerated and begin to fill up again. For this reason, you can repeat the cleanup process from time to time if you see fit.
If you have doubts or prefer not to delete anything manually, there are also temporary file cleaning applications like CCleaner, although in this case, the manual process is fast and safe.
Can I prevent ota-artifacts from filling up again?
Regrettably, There is no official option in NVIDIA utilities to prevent the ota-artifacts folder from reappearing or to limit the amount of space it uses. This behavior depends directly on the driver update process and NVIDIA's internal software management.
The only solution you have is periodically clean ota-artifacts If you want to keep as much free space as possible on your computer, especially if you don't usually forma tear the PC very often.
What other NVIDIA directories can take up a lot of space?
In addition to ota-artifacts, the NVIDIA folder structure may contain other "heavy" directories accumulated by successive updates:
- C:/NVIDIA: This typically contains old driver installers downloaded directly from the NVIDIA website. It can be safely deleted after a successful update.
- NVIDIA Corporation on AppData: includes configuration and temporary files, but is typically not as large as ota-artifacts.
In all cases, Never delete files without making sure they do not contain active drivers or essential settings.As a general rule, everything related to previous installers is safe to delete, while anything related to active drivers or custom profiles should be left untouched. For more details on managing drivers, visit How to revert a driver installation in Windows step by step.
Why is this a common problem and there is hardly any official information?
If you look for official information from NVIDIA about ota-artifacts, you'll find that their support channels typically focus on installation issues or critical errors, without going into detail about the internal management of temporary folders and files.
As a result, most of the information available is found in specialized forums, articles on technology portals, and, above all, in communities like Reddit, where users share their experiences with driver update folders that consume a large amount of disk space.
The absence of an official guide does not mean that it is dangerous to remove ota-artifacts, but rather that It is a minor aspect for the company, since its removal does not affect the general operation of the drivers or the graphics card.
Tips to prevent your computer from filling up after deleting ota-artifacts
Deleting OTA artifacts can be a relief, but it's a good idea to adopt good maintenance habits so you don't run into the same problem again in a few months. Here are some practical recommendations:
- Configure the system to show hidden folders and check for update directories at least every three months.
- Keep track of new driver installations by downloading only the necessary ones instead of automatically installing all versions.
- If you're an advanced user, you can create scheduled tasks to automatically clean up temporary folders.
- Remember to regularly check your download folders and the NVIDIA root directory to avoid unnecessary buildup.
Controlling what is installed and what stays on your computer will help you always keep the system fast and efficient, in addition to avoiding scares due to lack of space. For more tips, visit Tips and tricks to keep your PC in optimal condition.
Although it may seem like a minor detail, the NVIDIA ota-artifacts folder can become in a considerable space thief On computers that have accumulated years of automatic updates. Knowing how to identify, locate, and manually delete this folder can give you back valuable gigabytes, especially on disks. SSD Limited capacity. You don't need advanced knowledge or third-party programs: with Windows Explorer and a few clicks, your computer will breathe easy again. Remember that managing hidden and temporary folders is an often-forgotten task, but it can make a difference in the speed and longevity of your computer.
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