many hidden uninstall files

[Guest]

im currently attempting to destroy a abunch of adware in my comp n have
programs to do so, howver when i view all files in C:\WINDOWS is there ment
to be over 100 files named something like $NtUninstallKB898461$. are they
taking up memory n making my computer run slower n can i get rid of them.
Also in C:\WINDOWS there is heaps of word files from the hotfix program, is
there a way i can stop it from creating and saving so many, i have only
lately noticed the files there.

 

[Will Denny]

Hi

They are the uninstall files for the Windows Updates. They 'can' be
deleted, but only if you are absolutely sure that you will not need to
uninstall any of those Windows Updates. Once those files have been deleted
the Updates can't be uninstalled.

--


Will Denny
MS MVP Windows Shell/User
Please reply to the News Groups

 

[Gerry Cornell]

Krissy

How large is your hard drive? Is it partitioned? How much free space on
each drive / partition. To get this information whilst in Windows Explorer
place the cursor on each drive in turn, right click and select Properties.

--

Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England

Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[Glen]

You might be better of burning them to CD in case you need to uninstall the
updates later. I would only get rid of them if you are low on free space. If
you dont need the space leave them as they dont affect how windows works.

Glen P

 

[Guest]

My computer management program says that its healthy and is partitioned. The
free space on my 37.2 GB capacity C: drive is 15.37 GB

 

[Ramesh, MS-MVP]

Hi Krissy,

See also:

$NTUninstall folders - Description:
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/hotfix_backup.htm

Compress the folders to save disk space

This tip is from Gerry Cornell:

<quote>
If your hard drive is formatted as NTFS another potential gain arises with
your operating system on your C drive. In the Windows Directory of your C
partition you will have some Uninstall folders in your Windows folder
typically: $NtServicePackUninstall$ and $NtUninstallKB282010$ etc.
These files may be compressed or not compressed. If compressed the text of
the folder name appears in blue characters. If not compressed you can
compress them. Right click on each folder and select Properties, General,
Advanced and check the box before Compress contents to save Disk Space. On
the General Tab you can see the amount gained by deducting the size on disk
from the size. Folder compression is only an option on a NTFS formatted
drive / partition.

What's the file name and the extension? If you're referring to the file
names with KB prefix (example: KB898461.log), these files provide the
logging information when you installed the hotfix. These log files can be
deleted.

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows XP Shell/User]
Windows® XP Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com


im currently attempting to destroy a abunch of adware in my comp n have
programs to do so, howver when i view all files in C:\WINDOWS is there ment
to be over 100 files named something like $NtUninstallKB898461$. are they
taking up memory n making my computer run slower n can i get rid of them.
Also in C:\WINDOWS there is heaps of word files from the hotfix program, is
there a way i can stop it from creating and saving so many, i have only
lately noticed the files there.

 

[Gerry Cornell]

Krissy

You have no shortage of free space.

Is your C drive formatted as FAT32 or NTFS?

However, to increase your free space on your C drive select Start, All
Programs,
Accessories, System Tools, Disk CleanUp, More Options, System Restore and
remove all but the latest System Restore points? Restore points can be quite
large.

You should use Disk CleanUp regularly to Empty your Recycle Bin and
Remove Temporary Internet Files. Whenever you remove redundant files you
should always run Disk Defragmenter by selecting Start, All Programs,
Accessories, System Tools, Disk Defragmenter.

It is likely that an allocation of 12% has been made to System Restore on
your C partition which is over generous. I would reduce it to 700 mb. Right
click your My Computer icon on the Desktop and select System Restore.
Place the cursor on your C drive select Settings but this time find the
slider and drag it to the left until it reads 700 mb and exit. When you get
to the Settings screen click on Apply and OK and exit.

--

Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England

Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[M and D]

They aren't taking up memory, they're taking up hard disk space, so they're not making your computer run slower. Those folders are needed if you want to uninstall the updates your get from Windows Update. To destroy adware you need removal software or specific removal instructions from one of the major anti-spyware web sites. You can't do it on your own.

Steven