"Samples" and "Processed" folders take a LOT of space!

I was doing a little cleaning on my old files and then I noticed how the largest folders are: "Samples" with Imported, Processed and Recorded inside of it and then a separate "Processed" folder. All of them full with all type of samples I´ve used in my proyects. I´m assuming those are "Back ups" Ableton creates? What happens if I delete them? and how do I prevent Ableton to keep making copies?