Question on the PSP 2018 "balloon file" installer

[DaveG74]

I have a question on the registered downloadable PSP 2018 installer file -- which I call the "balloon file" (balloon icon), 5MB in size. When I run this installer, it downloads a compressed file, psp2018_pro.zip, 384MB in size.

To avoid clutter and save file space, I wish to keep only one of these files. Will the balloon file always be functional for me in case of a future re-install? Or am I better off keeping the compressed folder instead? Or does it matter?

Any insight is appreciated. Thanks in advance!

[Ken Berry]

I'm the cautious type and like to keep the full download on an external USB hard disk, adding patches as they emerge.

However, as I understand it, the stub file (which is what Corel calls your "balloon" file) has its uses. It always downloads the latest updated build of that version of PSP so if you ever reinstall, you don't need to add patches and service packs which may have been issued since that version was first released. The same also applies to Video Studio. So you could always save space by just keeping the stub/balloon file.

My main niggling doubt, though, is that I don't know how long Corel might keep that version available on their servers after releasing a new version. If you like a particular version and don't want to fork out for a new version, it might be better to keep the whole download stored safely...

[flagpole]

If you were told that you had to the full 384MB installer would you really be bothered that you had to keep the extra 5MB?

Be aware that it will extract itself, and not clean up.