deleting files

[H.B.]

I have recently installed XP, used to have ME. I am trying to clean up my C
drive by getting rid of folders that are not necessary. I have noticed that
the first things listed when I open C / Windows are a bunch of folders named
"$NtUnistallKb then a set of numbers followed by $" . Inside most of these
folders are what looks to be duplicates of each other named "spuninst". Are
these files okay to delete? What are these folders for and why do they use a
name starting with a dollar sign?
Thank you.
H.B.

 

[Taurarian]

Removing Old Windows Updates:-
Folders that have uninstall as part of the name (for example $NtUninstallKB282010$
which reside in C:\windows (hidden folders) are Window Hot Fix Update folders/files)
can be safely deleted (providing you never wish to uninstall the updates). I would
recommend leaving these folders 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. To find out more about the
update/s go to:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=XXXXXX
NB: XXXXXX = the actual number not including the "Q" or "KB"

Once you have deleted the uninstall folders/files, then go to Control Panel,
Add/Remove Programs. Select the matching Windows Hotfix Title relating the update
folder/file you have just deleted and select remove. You will get a Windows error.
This is because you have deleted the uninstall folder/files. Just choose OK and the
entry will be deleted from the Add/Remove Programs Listing.

If you prefer see:
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_hotfix_backup.htm
Removes Hotfix Backup files and the Add/Remove Programs Registry entries.

 

[Mark L. Ferguson]

These folder allow you to restore damaged files that were installed during various updates to Windows


Show updates in Add/Remove - select the Show updates check box (at the top of the list),

..