delete $NtUninstallKB..... folders

[Crios]

Hi !
Is it safe to delete $NtUninstallKB888656$ like folders from C:\WINDOWS\
directory (I have 77 such folders) ?
I think they belong to uninstalled programs.

Thanx
Crios

 

[Detlev Dreyer]

Is it safe to delete $NtUninstallKB888656$ like folders from
C:\WINDOWS\ directory (I have 77 such folders) ?

Yes, if you do not intend to uninstall any of these updates.

I think they belong to uninstalled programs.

Nope.

 

[Frank Saunders, MS-MVP OE]

Hi !
Is it safe to delete $NtUninstallKB888656$ like folders from C:\WINDOWS\
directory (I have 77 such folders) ?
I think they belong to uninstalled programs.

Thanx
Crios

They are folders needed to uninstall the patch in the folder name.

 

[Larry Gardner]

If you manually delete these folders, you will have remnants left around in
the registry supporting uninstalling these patches.
Specifically in:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall

The easiest thing to do is to search the entire registry and see where the
file name is referenced. This entries would be left around if you just
manually deleted the folder.

There may also be a reference left in the C:\Windows\Installer folder that
now points to nothing.

 

[frodo]

this tool will do it for you, and correctly leave record of the hotfix in
the reg so that WU knows you did install it.

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

read the directions, of course.

ALSO, you should LEAVE the $hf_mig$ folder alone, tho it too contains
remnants of the same hotfixes, and is large. You _DO_ need $hf_mig$ !!

 

[Unk]

Hi !
Is it safe to delete $NtUninstallKB888656$ like folders from C:\WINDOWS\
directory (I have 77 such folders) ?
I think they belong to uninstalled programs.

Thanx
Crios

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

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

Safe to Delete: http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/spack.htm

Do not delete the "C:\WINDOWS\$hf_mig$" folder. It's integral for when new updates are
applied making sure things are consistent with previously applied updates and patches.
Description of the contents of Windows XP Service Pack 2 and Windows Server 2003 software update
packages http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=824994

Remove Hotfix Backup Files
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_hotfix_backup.htm

 

[April]

Is it safe to delete $NtUninstallKB888656$ like folders from C:\WINDOWS\
directory (I have 77 such folders) ?

Crios,

There's a shareware tool called Update Cleanup that makes it easy to delete
those $NtUninstallKB folders and clean up the related Registry entries at
the same time. It frees up alot of hard disk space. Although it is not
free, you are given a lengthy free trial which is more than enough time for
you to clean up these folders.

You can find the software at http://www.pcshareware.com/update.htm

April

 

[Doug Knox MS-MVP]

Free utility that does the same. Nominal fee if you want to pick and choose. www.dougknox.com, Win XP Utilities, Remove Hotfix Backup Files.