safe to erase 'Service Pack Files' directory

[Roanoke]

I am running Xp SP2.

In the Windows directory, there is a sub-directory 'Service Pack Files'. It,
in turn, has a sub-directory 'I386', and a range of files (e.g. sp1.cab,
sp2.cab, and a bunch more with the ext cab.

To make more space on my drive, would it be safe to move the entire 'Service
Pack Files' directory to a CD and then erase it? (the file is about 439 MB).

Thanks for your time.

 

[Taurarian]

C:\Windows\ServicePackFiles. Do not delete this - it will be used in future by
Windows File Protection

http://jmfmvps.mvps.org/SP2.htm
http://forum.aumha.org/viewtopic.php?t=7265&start=0&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight
Tidying up after installing SP2
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

 

[WTC]

You can copy this directory to CD and then delete it off the hard disk. Do
NOT delete this directory if you do NOT put these files on CD. But I would
suggest to buy a bigger hard drive if you are running out space.

 

[Rock]

I am running Xp SP2.

In the Windows directory, there is a sub-directory 'Service Pack Files'. It,
in turn, has a sub-directory 'I386', and a range of files (e.g. sp1.cab,
sp2.cab, and a bunch more with the ext cab.

To make more space on my drive, would it be safe to move the entire 'Service
Pack Files' directory to a CD and then erase it? (the file is about 439 MB).

Thanks for your time.

Yes you can copy this directory to CD. Then edit the registry to point
to the new location on CD. Edit this key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Setup

Modify the value:
ServicePackSourcePath

to reflect the CD drive such as:
Z:\ServicePackFiles where Z is the drive letter for the CD drive.

This works best if you have two CD drives. Then if needed the CD with
the Service Pack Files goes in one drive and the Windows Installation CD
would go in the other one.

 

[Ramesh, MS-MVP]

After backing up the folder to a CD, alter the ServicePackSourcePath in the registry:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=271484

<quote>
The ServicePackSourcePath value must point to one level above the I386 directory because the SetUpAPI call attaches \I386 to the sourcepath.
</quote>

--
Ramesh, Microsoft MVP
Windows XP Shell/User
http://windowsxp.mvps.org


I am running Xp SP2.

In the Windows directory, there is a sub-directory 'Service Pack Files'. It,
in turn, has a sub-directory 'I386', and a range of files (e.g. sp1.cab,
sp2.cab, and a bunch more with the ext cab.

To make more space on my drive, would it be safe to move the entire 'Service
Pack Files' directory to a CD and then erase it? (the file is about 439 MB).

Thanks for your time.

 

[Alex Nichol]

In the Windows directory, there is a sub-directory 'Service Pack Files'. It,
in turn, has a sub-directory 'I386', and a range of files (e.g. sp1.cab,
sp2.cab, and a bunch more with the ext cab.

To make more space on my drive, would it be safe to move the entire 'Service
Pack Files' directory to a CD and then erase it? (the file is about 439 MB).

It contains the service pack file versions for use in preference to ones
from the original CD if needed by File Protection/SFC/New Hardware etc.
On an NTFS drive a useful amount of space can be saved by compressing
it. What you can do if you have a CD burner is burn the complete folder
to a CD, then run regedit.exe and at

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Setup

Change the value of ServicePackSourcePath in the right pane to reflect
the drive. Best if you have 2 drives, and can have the original
SourcePath on one and this on the other