I've also noticed this accumulation of resource files in that folder. I've researched a little and found a possible explanation here: https://dnntracker.atlassian.net/browse/DNN-9461?focusedCommentId=124417&page=com.atlassian.jira.plugin.system.issuetabpanels%3Acomment-tabpanel
But I've also found the request to clean that folder up at https://github.com/dnnsoftware/Dnn.Platform/issues/2779. This has been waiting for almost one year now, for someone to step forward and implement a simple procedure for cleaning it. Maybe it's a good moment now, when sites import/export proccess is being reviewed, isn't it?

Regards,
Francisco

Is it safe to delete all files in this folder? I'm looking to save space. It bloats the backups, and the bigger file sizes costs hosting $$$ and blows size limits. Hopefully this will be sorted out one day?

Thanks

Posted By DNNDude on 25 Nov 2020 11:14 PM
Is it safe to delete all files in this folder? I'm looking to save space. It bloats the backups, and the bigger file sizes costs hosting $$$ and blows size limits. Hopefully this will be sorted out one day?

Thanks

As DNN is managed by the community, it depends on someone that feels a need to fix it.
I guess that has not been the case yet..

 

 

Posted By DNNDude on 25 Nov 2020 11:14 PM
Is it safe to delete all files in this folder? I'm looking to save space. It bloats the backups, and the bigger file sizes costs hosting $$$ and blows size limits. Hopefully this will be sorted out one day?

Thanks

BTW, I don't have an answer to your question but I asked the same here: https://github.com/dnnsoftware/Dnn.Platform/issues/2779

 

 

The backup of extension packages in /app_data subfolder was introduced mainly for (Evoq) portal export and import, but it is useful, if you need to re-install an extension package and lost your download. It is still an issue not to delete previous versions upon install of an updated package, therefore it makes sense for hosts, to clean it manually after upgrades.