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Display Name (?):

Office Source Engine

Short Name (?):

ose

Executable (?):

ose.exe

Library (?):

None.

Depends On (?):

None.

Supports (?):

None.

Description (?):

Saves installation files used for updates and repairs and is required for the downloading of Setup updates and Watson error reports.

OS (?):

Third party or non-default

Startup (?):

Default	Home	Workstation	Server	Minimal	Tweaked	Automatic
Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Disabled	Disabled

Explanation (?):

The Office source engine service was implemented starting with Microsoft Office 2003 to provide support for installing, updating and reparing Office. When an installation of Office occurs this service copies the installation files to the local hard-drive to provide quicker access times from the installation media, no matter if it is from a network, a CD or any other storage type. These files are placed on the hard-drive partition with the most amount of available space in a hidden directory called MsoCache in the subdirectory called Downloadcode. This cache is then used whenever Office is patched or repaired if it needs the original files to patch against. These original files are needed to perform a proper patch because Office uses a difference patch from the original media so that separate patches are not needed for different versions of Office. There is an option at the completion of installing Office 2003 to remove these cached files and then it will require the original installation media when patching or reparing as was normal with previous versions of Office. You should leave this service set to manual as it is needed for installation and it only starts when it is required.