installed sp2 what backup files to delete

[niknik1971]

I have installed sp2 and everything seems fine.

Sometime later on I want to delete some backup files that where created
during the install of sp2.
In the windows folder there is a folder called "servicepackfiles" and there
are a whole load of compressed files starting with "$NtUninstall".

Once I am happy with the running of my computer with sp2 installed what
folders can I delete safely.

NIK

 

[Torgeir Bakken \(MVP\)]

I have installed sp2 and everything seems fine.

Sometime later on I want to delete some backup files that where created
during the install of sp2.
In the windows folder there is a folder called "servicepackfiles" and there
are a whole load of compressed files starting with "$NtUninstall".

Once I am happy with the running of my computer with sp2 installed what
folders can I delete safely.

Hi

Do not delete the %windir%\ServicePackFiles\i386\ folder, it is
used by the system if it needs to repair files or if you install
additional OS components.


If you see %windir%\$NTUninstall* folders which dates back to your
SP1 installation, you can delete those. They are not removed by the
SP2 installation in case you want/need to go back to SP1 (and then
be able to uninstall the hotfixes in case you need to).

The following folders should be safe to delete:

%windir%\$xpsp1hfm$\
%windir%\$NtUninstallQ<some#>$\
%windir%\$NtUninstallKB<some#>$\


If you are sure you don't need to uninstall SP2, you can delete
%windir%\$NtServicePackUninstall$\ as well

Alternatively (for the $NtServicePackUninstall folder):

If you make a backup of the folder to e.g. a CD, you can put it
back if you need to uninstall SP2. After restoring the backup,
run %windir%\$NtServicePackUninstall$\spuninst\spuninst.exe
to start the process.

 

[niknik1971]

Cheers Torgeir for the information you provided me.

NIK

 

[Alex Nichol]

Sometime later on I want to delete some backup files that where created
during the install of sp2.
In the windows folder there is a folder called "servicepackfiles" and there
are a whole load of compressed files starting with "$NtUninstall".

Keep ServicePackFiles - that is the backup that will be used as first
source in future by File Protection. $NTServicePackUninstall is the
folder of files that would be used if you were to Uninstall SP2. Once
you are happy, delete that and also delete the very large restore point
that will have been made, by using
Start - All Programs - Accessories - System Tools - Disk Cleanup
and the More Options button to delete all but the most recent point.

There may also be a Windows\softwaredistribution\download folder that
can also be deleted

 

[Vodum]

>> Sometime later on I want to delete some backup files that where
>> created during the install of sp2.

A quick solution is to use this software tool:

http://www.pcshareware.com/update.htm

It takes care of all the file deletions and system registry issues related to your task.

HTH

Vodie