delete files

[John Garate]

Windows XP, SP-2
Running virus scan takes a very long time. Is it save to delete the
following files in C:\Windows directory:
$NTServicePackUninstall (283 megs!)
16 folders of the type: $NTUninstallKB821557$
Also, can I safely delete *.cab files in various locations?

 

[Bert Kinney]

Hi John,

Previously posted by Doug Knox MS-MVP:
The $NTUninstallKBxxxxxx$ or $NTUninstallQxxxxxx$ folders are backups of
system files that were replaced when you installed various hotfixes. If
your system is stable, and you don't need to remove the hotfixes, these
folders can be removed. For an automated utility to clean up these folders
and the associated Add/Remove Programs entries, see www.dougknox.com, Win XP
Utilities, Remove Hotfix Backup Files.

The $NtServicePackUninstall$ folder contains the backup copies of system
files that were replaced when you installed SP1. These are only needed if
you decide to remove SP1 for some reason.

The ServicePackfiles folder is a backup copy of the files that WERE
installed when you installed SP1. These files are used if the system
detects (System File Protection) that a system file has been replaced by an
incorrect version, or deleted. If you remove this folder, and the system
needs to replace a corrupt, replaced or deleted file, it won't be able to
find its backup copy. This folder serves the same purpose as the
Windows\System32\dllcache folder.

 

[Torgeir Bakken \(MVP\)]

Windows XP, SP-2
Running virus scan takes a very long time. Is it save to delete the
following files in C:\Windows directory:
$NTServicePackUninstall (283 megs!)
16 folders of the type: $NTUninstallKB821557$
Also, can I safely delete *.cab files in various locations?

Hi

For folders you can consider deleting and other disk cleanup tips
after a successful SP2 installation, take a look here:

http://groups.google.com/groups?selm=#[email protected]

 

[Alex Nichol]

Running virus scan takes a very long time. Is it save to delete the
following files in C:\Windows directory:
$NTServicePackUninstall (283 megs!)
16 folders of the type: $NTUninstallKB821557$

Those are there in case you want to uninstall the Service pack and the
various Windows Hotfix updates referred to - see for example
http://support.microsoft.com/?scid=kb;en-us;821557
to find what that one is about.
If you are sure you will not want to uninstall them (likely if all is
going well) then delete the folders

Also, can I safely delete *.cab files in various locations?

Probably not. But you should be able to tell AV not to look in them

 

[Plato]

Windows XP, SP-2
Running virus scan takes a very long time. Is it save to delete the
following files in C:\Windows directory:

Often due to 50000 useless internet cache files that have to be moved
around.