Add/remove Programs

  • Thread starter Thread starter Margaret Welin
  • Start date Start date
M

Margaret Welin

When I go into Add/remove Programs there are a number of
items there titled "Windows XP Hotfix" with differnt
numbers at the end of each.
Can these be removed to free up some disk space or will
it cause problems if I remove them?

Thanks
 
Files that have uninstall as part of the name can be safely deleted
(providing you never wish to uninstall the updates). I would recommend
leaving the files 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.

Once you have deleted the uninstall files, then go to Control Panel,
Add/Remove Programs. Select the matching Windows Hotfix Title relating the
update file you have just deleted and select remove. You will get a Windows
error. This is because you have deleted the uninstall file. Just choose OK
and the entry will be deleted from the Add/Remove Programs Listing.
 
If you remove these items directly from "Add/remove Programs", you will
remove the associated windows update or fix. Best to leave them alone
unless you are having problems.

Woody
 
Hi Margaret,

Some of the Hotfixes (Mostly security updates) do not have an uninstall
feature, these will not appear in the Add and Remove list. If a Hotfix does
appear in the Add and Remove list then it can be uninstalled just like any
other program.

If you uninstall the Hotfix, you will lose the benefits of that patch. This
should only be done if you can determine that you are experiencing negative
effects from the particular Hotfix.

If you simply do not want them to appear in the Add and Remove list and you
are sure that you will not need the uninstall option, you can remove items
from that list by using a registry tweak.

Automated Edit:

Remove Hotfixes from Add or Remove (Line 193)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Manual Edit: Go to Start/Run/Regedit and navigate to this key"

HKEY CURRENT USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
Uninstall

Expand this branch and look at the list. The Hotfixes are all listed by a
"Q" number that corresponds to the entry in the Add and Remove list. Make
sure that you back up each Key before deleting it.

Select the key and then select File/Export and include the Q number in the
name of the file. Right click the entries you want to remove and select
Delete.

/xp_tweaks.htm

Top 10 Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/top10faqs.htm
 
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