Deleting Windows/ uninstall files for updates.

[Jackson]

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

 

[JS]

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/winupdte.mspx

Also See Doug Knox's page on this issue:
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_hotfix_backup.htm

JS