Can I delete these files?

[Vince]

After updating WinXPpro to SP1 and some other critical updates, the size of
drive C increased nearly 600 MB. A close look revealed that under Windows
directory, there are many small folders named "$NtUninstallKB xxxx $" and a
250 MB $NtServicePackUninstall$ folder, plus another 250 MB ServicePackfile
folder. Without "this folder is safe to remove" label like in IE6 sp1, I
don't know if I can remove these folders or not. At first, I think these
files are needed for XP's system restore, later I noticed, after updating,
same folders exist under win2k, where no system restore is available. What
are these files used for? Can I delete them?

Thanks for suggestion.

Vince.

 

[Doug Knox MS-MVP]

The $NTUninstallKBxxxxxx$ or $NTUninstallQxxxxxx$ folders are backups of
system files that were replaced when you installed various hotfixes. If
your system is stable, and you don't need to remove the hotfixes, these
folders can be removed. For an automated utility to clean up these folders
and the associated Add/Remove Programs entries, see www.dougknox.com, Win XP
Utilities, Remove Hotfix Backup Files.

The $NtServicePackUninstall$ folder contains the backup copies of system
files that were replaced when you installed SP1. These are only needed if
you decide to remove SP1 for some reason.

The ServicePackfiles folder is a backup copy of the files that WERE
installed when you installed SP1. These files are used if the system
detects (System File Protection) that a system file has been replaced by an
incorrect version, or deleted. If you remove this folder, and the system
needs to replace a corrupt, replaced or deleted file, it won't be able to
find its backup copy. This folder serves the same purpose as the
Windows\System32\dllcache folder.

 

[Alex Nichol]

After updating WinXPpro to SP1 and some other critical updates, the sizeof
drive C increased nearly 600 MB. A close look revealed that under Windows
directory, there are many small folders named "$NtUninstallKB xxxx $" and a
250 MB $NtServicePackUninstall$ folder, plus another 250 MB ServicePackfile
folder.

They contain the files that would be needed if you decided you needed to
install the corresponding Windows Update ('Hotfixes' in Add/Remove
Programs). You can find what they are for at
http://support.microsoft.com/?scid=kb;en-us;xxxxxx

and if you decide you will *not* want to uninstall, then delete the
corresponding folder

 

[Alex Nichol]

After updating WinXPpro to SP1 and some other critical updates, the sizeof
drive C increased nearly 600 MB. A close look revealed that under Windows
directory, there are many small folders named "$NtUninstallKB xxxx $" and a
250 MB $NtServicePackUninstall$ folder, plus another 250 MB ServicePackfile
folder.

PS - The ServicePack one is the components needed to uninstall Service
Pack 1 - again, provided you are not having trouble and do not want to
uninstall it, delete the folder