Pedro said:
Hello,
when installing SP2, i ran out of disk space, but it did
not automatically delete any files that were downloaded
during this failed install....the result is i am left
with a few megs of space left, and cannot find where
these install files are stored to remove them manually
i have tried using the Add/Remove Programs option to
remove SP 2 (as it already had a listing in there,
despite the failed install)
but this did not solve the problem
does anyone know where the temp install files are stored
for SP2 so i can go remove them manually??
Hi
1)
If SP2 was installed from Windows Updates/Automatic Updates:
Clean out this folder (WU5's temporary download folder) to get rid
of the SP2 temporary installation files
%windir%\SoftwareDistribution\Download\
(%windir% is typically C:\Windows)
2)
Stop and start System Restore to possibly regain some space (but you
will lose your current Restore points). You also may want to reduce
the amount of disk space System Restore is allowed to occupy.
How to turn on and turn off System Restore in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;310405
More about System Restore here:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/community/newsgroups/faqsrwxp.mspx
Some other disk cleanup tips:
1)
If you wish to safely remove the "uninstall files" for the
Hotfixes (hidden $NtUninstallQxxxxxx$ and $NtUninstallKBxxxxxx$
folders in your Windows folder) and cleanup your Add/Remove
Programs list, visit MS-MVP Doug Knox's excellent website for
instructions.
You can use this utility by fellow MVP Doug Knox:
Remove Hotfix Backup files and the Add/Remove Programs Registry Entries
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_hotfix_backup.htm
Alternatively (Windows 2000 and XP):
In the link below there is VBScript that I have written that will
remove the uninstall folder (and the Add/Remove Programs entry if
one exists) for all hotfixes that creates $ntuninstall... folders
under the Windows folder (that means that it will e.g. not remove
uninstall information for Internet Explorer and Outlook Express
updates). The script will work on both Win2k and WinXP.
http://groups.google.com/[email protected]
Note: The script will not uninstall the updates themselves, only the
uninstall folder and the Add/Remove Programs entry.
After running the above, you can also delete the folder
%windir%\$xpsp1hfm$\ if it exists.
(%windir% is typically C:\Windows)
2)
Clean out your temp folder:
Start/Run, type
%temp%
Press OK
3)
In Explorer, right click on your C: disk and select Properties.
Then select "Disk Cleanup".
4)
If you are sure you don't need to uninstall SP1, you can delete
the %windir%\$NtServicePackUninstall$\ folder (if you have one).
(%windir% is typically C:\Windows)
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 SP1. After restoring the backup,
run %windir%\$NtServicePackUninstall$\spuninst\spuninst.exe
to start the process.
(the same procedure is relevant post SP2)
