Windows uninstall files

[Carl F]

Windows keeps adding uninstall files as the updates keep coming.
After a person has used an update for a few weeks is it necessary to
keep these files or may they be safely removed?

Directory Examples (All in C:\windows\):
$NtServicePackUninstall
$NtUninstallKB8* there are dozens
ServicePackFiles

Does a list of expendable files exist somewhere?

(e-mail address removed)

 

[John Barnett MVP]

It is not wise to delete these files.

 

[Matrix]

-----Original Message-----
Windows keeps adding uninstall files as the updates keep coming.
After a person has used an update for a few weeks is it necessary to
keep these files or may they be safely removed?

Directory Examples (All in C:\windows\):
$NtServicePackUninstall
$NtUninstallKB8* there are dozens
ServicePackFiles

Does a list of expendable files exist somewhere?

(e-mail address removed)
.

This folders contain the uninstall information of all the
updates for windows. If you sure that you will never need
to uninstall those updates, you can delete this folders
and windows will work fine without them. But you will not
be able to unintstall the updates.

I recommend that you arcive this folders into zip or
anything else to save space. This way you could save space
and be able to uninstall the updates later.

 

[Guest]

Remove Hotfix Backup Files - read info at below website:

http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_hotfix_backup.htm

 

[Gene K]

Windows keeps adding uninstall files as the updates keep coming.
After a person has used an update for a few weeks is it necessary to
keep these files or may they be safely removed?

Directory Examples (All in C:\windows\):
$NtServicePackUninstall
$NtUninstallKB8* there are dozens
ServicePackFiles

Does a list of expendable files exist somewhere?

(e-mail address removed)

Here is some information on your question:
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/Hotfix_backup.htm . If you choose to remove
the uninstall strings on recent Hotfix's, back them up as suggested. Those
that have been there a length of time which causeds no problems I would just
remove with no question but you make your own decision. The number of these
present in the Control Panel is so voluminous that you almost are forced to
remove the entries.

 

[Pop]

This folders contain the uninstall information of all the
updates for windows. If you sure that you will never need
to uninstall those updates, you can delete this folders
and windows will work fine without them. But you will not
be able to unintstall the updates.

I recommend that you arcive this folders into zip or
anything else to save space. This way you could save space
and be able to uninstall the updates later.

What happens to the Add/Remove Programs list when you move
the update files? Won't it leave all the entries in the
list?

Pop

 

[Carl F]

Windows keeps adding uninstall files as the updates keep coming.
After a person has used an update for a few weeks is it necessary to
keep these files or may they be safely removed?

Directory Examples (All in C:\windows\):
$NtServicePackUninstall
$NtUninstallKB8* there are dozens
ServicePackFiles

Does a list of expendable files exist somewhere?

(e-mail address removed)

If you are sure that your system is stable and OK all of the above files
may be removed with the only impact you will not be able to uninstall
these changes.

There are about 20 *.log files the OS will not allow you to delete. If
you have been using your system for months without any difficulty there
are probably 100s of *.log files that may be removed without noticeable
effect. Conceptually software support people could use these files but
who has ever had support delve this deeply. The usual support response
is uninstall and reinstall. Cleaning up these files will make your file
system more efficient. Defrag after cleaning.