Concerned by the presence of USOPrivate and USOShared folders on your computer as little information about them exists? Well, you should know that USO stands for Update Session Orchestrator and all files/folders containing USO in their name form part of the Windows update service. That means both USOPrivate and USOShared play a role in the update of Windows so you should leave them alone. Continue reading if you want to find out more about the folders.
Breakdown Of The Folders
USOPrivate
The USOPrivate folder contains Extensible Markup Language (XML) files without any executables and access to it is strictly limited to those that have administrator privileges. Also, since USOPrivate can sometimes be hidden, Windows users must unhide the folder before viewing it.
USOShared
The USOShared folder contains Event Trace Logs (ETL files) and requires administrator privileges to be edited. For your information, the Trace log process is the one that creates the logs as it’s responsible for keeping logs of the events from the kernel level of the Windows Operating System. Technically, it is safe to remove the log files and log removal does not affect the system performance in any way. However, it’s strongly recommended that you leave the folder and its contents alone if you can help it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the role of USO?
The Update Seasons Orchestrator is responsible for downloading and installing various types of updates from Windows Update. The events are logged into ETL files.
What is the difference between USOShared and USOPrivate?
The only significant difference between the two folders is the data contained within them. The USOPrivate folder contains XML files with basic update info and links while the USOShared folder contains ETL files that are essentially system logs.
May I delete USOPrivate?
With the right privileges, you should be able to delete the USOPrivate folder from your computer as your computer only utilizes this folder during an update. Keep in mind that deleting the folder is neither necessary nor recommended.
What are XML files?
An XML file is a type of file that stores data in a structured format. Also, people could use cXML files to create data formats such as RSS feeds and XML schemas. Noteworthily, XML files can be opened and edited in any text editor which is a big plus. If you need to store or share data in an easy format to read and write, XML is a fitting choice,
What are logs?
Logs are records of events that happen on your computer and they can be useful for debugging or keeping track of what’s happening on your system. Windows has a few different types of logs, including system logs, application logs, and security logs. You can view these logs in the Event Viewer.
Is it possible to delete the USOclient.exe?
The USOclient.exe file is a critical component of the Windows operating system. This file is responsible for managing updates and installing new features. While it is possible to delete this file, doing so can cause problems with your PC.
How do I disable USOClient.exe?
Generally speaking, USOClient.exe is responsible for managing the updates for the Windows OS. It is normal for this process to run in the background and you should see it pop up when updates are available for your system. However, some users have reported seeing the USOClient.exe popup even when no updates are available. That can be annoying and may lead you to believe something is wrong with your system.
In times of need, you may disable USOClient.exe by going through these steps.
- Step 1: Go to Search bar, type Regedit and press Enter to open Registry Editor.
- Step 2: In case you make a mistake down the line, click File then pick Export to create a backup of the Registry.
- Step 3: Navigate to the directory HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU.
- Step 4: Right-click AU, hover the mouse over New and pick DWORD (32-bit) Value.
- Step 5: Name the new value NoAutoRebootWithLoggedOnUsers and set it Value data as 1.
As PCWorld’s senior editor, Mark focuses on Microsoft news and chip technology, among other beats. He has formerly written for PCMag, BYTE, Slashdot, eWEEK, and ReadWrite.
