$NtUninstall Folders

[gbd1956]

I'm running Windows XP Pro,and noticed in my WINDOWS file,there are
hundreds of $NtUninstall folders and copies of the same;Question: Can
these all be deleted or are they neccessary???
Seems they are be taking up alot of space?????!!!!!!!

 

[TaurArian [MS-MVP]]

Folders that have uninstall as part of the name (for example $NtUninstallKB282010$ which
reside in C:\windows (hidden folders) are Window Hot Fix Update folders/files) can be
safely deleted (providing you never wish to uninstall the updates). I would recommend
leaving these folders for a period of at least a month to make sure the update is working
correctly.

These updates can be deleted individually or in multiples. To find out more about the
update/s go to:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=XXXXXX
NB: XXXXXX = the actual number not including the "Q" or "KB"

Once you have deleted the uninstall folders/files, then go to Control Panel, Add/Remove
Programs. Select the matching Windows Hotfix Title relating the update folder/file you
have just deleted and select remove. You will get a Windows error. This is because you
have deleted the uninstall folder/files. Just choose OK and the entry will be deleted from
the Add/Remove Programs Listing.

Tidying up after installing SP2
http://aumha.org/win5/a/sp2faq.php#after

and/or
http://www.michna.com/kb/WxSP2.htm#Removing_the_uninstall_information
Removing the uninstall information

http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/spack.htm
Save Space After Installing Updates


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TaurArian [MS-MVP] 2005-2007 - Australia
====================================
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| I'm running Windows XP Pro,and noticed in my WINDOWS file,there are
| hundreds of $NtUninstall folders and copies of the same;Question: Can
| these all be deleted or are they neccessary???
| Seems they are be taking up alot of space?????!!!!!!!
|

 

[Guest]

These folders contain the uninstall information for the update you install.
That means that you will be unable to uninstall the updates if you delete
these folders. You may leave them there unless you need hard drive space. If
your system is stable, and if you no longer plan to uninstall an update, then
go ahead and remove the corresponding $NtUninstall..... folders. Or you may
move those folders to a different hard drive, or burn them to CD before
deleting them from the hard drive.

Do NOT delete the $hf_mig$ folder anyway!

http://windowsxp.mvps.org/Hotfix_backup.htm

 

[Anna]

I'm running Windows XP Pro,and noticed in my WINDOWS file,there are
hundreds of $NtUninstall folders and copies of the same;Question: Can
these all be deleted or are they neccessary???
Seems they are be taking up alot of space?????!!!!!!!

And in addition to the info you rec'd from TaurArian & Ray Santos, take a
look at Doug Knox's utility to remove hotfix backup files and their
associated registry entries at...
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_hotfix_backup.htm
Anna

 

[Homer J. Simpson]

Once you have deleted the uninstall folders/files, then go to Control

Panel, Add/Remove
Programs. Select the matching Windows Hotfix Title relating the update
folder/file you
have just deleted and select remove. You will get a Windows error. This is
because you
have deleted the uninstall folder/files. Just choose OK and the entry will
be deleted from
the Add/Remove Programs Listing.

May I ask why you'd want to do that?

Hey, look, patch 123456! Quick, can you tell me whether you already have
it?

Didn't think so.

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Why?
To get rid of the clutter both in Add/Remove Programs as well as the
unnecessary uninstall files.

"Hey, look, patch 123456!..."
Yes, I can, very easily, without having to look at the uninstall file
which is not intended to display or prove if an update is installed.
All updates do not appear in Add/Remove Programs or the uninstall
files.
Updates that are not able to be uninstalled will not have those
entries.

Microsoft Baseline Security Advisor (MBSA) can easily help you
determine if an update is installed.
You can also look for the specific files changed/added by an update as
noted in the KB article.