Delete of extra files

[The Seabat]

Howdy: We have some files and folders in C:\Windows that we're
wondering iffn we can get rid of them. There are a lot of 'Q' files
and logs, there is a folder called 'ServicePackFiles' (406mb), and one
called WinSxS (13mb).

Also, on the second partition there is a folder with the name of
aac27cdca35839dd4cde1d and another one named $ntservicepackuninstall$
and is a blue color.

Can any or all of these be safely removed?? If not which ones should I
keep? Just trying to conserve some space on this small hard drive.
Thanks.

 

[Bkaler]

the Q files are backups of files replaced during hotfixes, updates and
service packs. You can delete any of them except WinSxS which looks
like is related to the GAC.

I believe you can delete them without issue, except you will not be
able to rollback any of the changes those patches applied. There are
still potentially some 'caveats' with this approach, but I know the
system shouldn't downright tank on you because you deleted it.

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

The files with "uninstall" in the name are the files necessary to uninstall
the updates and can be safely deleted:
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/spack.htm
You need to keep "ServicePackFiles"

The random character named files at the drive root USUALLY may be safely
deleted.
If you do, reboot first and I suggest you keep them in a separate file for a
short time until you are sure they are not needed.

 

[Unk]

Howdy: We have some files and folders in C:\Windows that we're
wondering iffn we can get rid of them. There are a lot of 'Q' files
and logs, there is a folder called 'ServicePackFiles' (406mb), and one
called WinSxS (13mb).

Also, on the second partition there is a folder with the name of
aac27cdca35839dd4cde1d and another one named $ntservicepackuninstall$
and is a blue color.

Can any or all of these be safely removed?? If not which ones should I
keep? Just trying to conserve some space on this small hard drive.
Thanks.

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

Do not delete the "$hf_mig$" 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


If your OS is running fine, delete all but the latest System Restore Point:
Click Start, Accessories, System tools, Disk Cleanup, "More Options" tab, "System Restore"
section, "Clean up" button, click "Yes"

Click Start, Settings, Control Panel, Internet Options, click the "General" tab, Under
"Temporary Internet Files", click the "Delete Files" button, check the box, "Delete all offline
content", "OK". After it finishes, click the "Settings" button and lower the amount of disk
space to use to 10 Meg. Click "OK", "Apply". That will increase your hard drive space by how
much was in that folder. I've seen it well over a gig. Folders that big are prone to crosslinked
files. Clear it weekly, or sooner, especially if IE starts acting funny. Better yet: Click the
"Advanced" tab, scroll down to "Security", and check the box, "Empty Temporary Internet Files
folder when browser is closed", click "Apply", "OK"

All that should get you back a couple of gigs. Go buy yourself a 200 Gig drive present and use
Norton Ghost to duplicate your old drive to the new, larger drive. $cheap.
http://search.ebay.com//search/search.dll?from=R40&satitle=200+Gig+hard+drive