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Windows Forum / Windows XP / Basics / May 2008Deleting Windows/ uninstall files for updates.
In the Windows/ folder there are many files with scarey names like $ntServicePackUninstall$ and $NtuninstallKB885836$. Most of them are a year or more old. I understand that they are needed if you want to uninstall an update. I recently installed SP3, which went off flawlessly (to my delight). I understand that SP3 includes all the prior updates. Does this mean that I can safely delete all those files except the one for SP3? What about SP1 and 2, are they also included in SP3? Is it okay to delete SP 1 and 2? Most of the files are listed in blue, which I understand means that they are compressed. Do you delete a compressed file the same way you delete a regular file? If it's not a good idea to delete them, is there some way I can hide them so they don't display when I open the Windows/ folder? I have lots of space on the HD, so I don't really have to delete them. Windows XP media center edition on Dell C521. Thanks Jack from Taxacola (formerly Pensacola), FL The $NtUninstall* folders and associated files in these folders are safe to remove, however once deleted you will no longer be able to un-install a patch or update that was associated with the deleted folder/files. I would keep the most recent set (last two months including the SP3 uninstall folder "just in case") of folders and delete the older updates. As a safety net I burned these folders to a CD before deleting them. Warning: One folder you should not delete is: $hf_mig$ (and any folders that a part of/contained in $hf_mig$) It is a necessary folder for future updates See the "Notes" near the bottom of the following KB article: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;824994 One of the largest files in each KBxxxx folder under $hf_mig$ is 'update.exe'. For information on what this is used for see: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/windowsserver2003/deployment/winupd te.mspx Also See Doug Knox's page on this issue: http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_hotfix_backup.htm JS > In the Windows/ folder there are many files with scarey > names like $ntServicePackUninstall$ and [quoted text clipped - 23 lines] > Thanks > Jack from Taxacola (formerly Pensacola), FL |
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