Removing backup files from Windows XP updates

[Guest]

Question for you guys. How can I SAFELY remove the backup files from the
Windows updates folder, example, the folder C:\Windows\$NtUninstallKB873339$

I have folders like:
$NtUninstallKB873339$, $NtServicePackUninstall$, $hf_mig$
As well as the log files (I assume I can just delete those) KB902400.log

Some of these files are like 5MB and more and I have a tonne of them on my
drive, 700MB or more. I want to get rid of them, my system is running fine
and I see no point in keeping them if I don't have to. Any advise, any
automatic cleaner or reg entry I can use?

I found the following on the MS Web site:

Delete the Service Pack Uninstall Folder:

NOTE: The Service Pack uninstall capability must only be removed after you
have determined that there is no longer a need to return the system to the
pre-Service Pack state.

For additional information, click the article number below to view the
article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: 268989
(http://support.microsoft.com/kb/268989/EN-US/)

Considerations Before You Uninstall Windows 2000 Service Pack 1
The Service Pack Uninstall folder is a hidden file. If you do not find it in
the following path, ensure that you have enabled the Show hidden files and
folders option in the View tab in Folder Options:

1. Locate the Service Pack Uninstall folder in the
%Systemroot%\$NtServicePackUninstall$ folder.

2. Select the $NtServicePackUninstall$ folder and delete it.

3. To remove the Service Pack uninstall option from the Add/Remove Programs
menu, delete the following registry key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Windows
2000 Service Pack x where x is the version number of the Service Pack that is
installed.
_________________________________________________________

This seems to be a lot of work and I am still not sure I can safely delete
some of the folders. Also some of the reg entries are not straight forward, I
could do some damage.

Again, any thoghts you might have is greately appreciated.

Have a good one !

Drew

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Question for you guys. How can I SAFELY remove the backup files from
the Windows updates folder, example, the folder
C:\Windows\$NtUninstallKB873339$

I have folders like:
$NtUninstallKB873339$, $NtServicePackUninstall$, $hf_mig$
As well as the log files (I assume I can just delete those)
KB902400.log

Some of these files are like 5MB and more and I have a tonne of them
on my drive, 700MB or more. I want to get rid of them, my system is
running fine and I see no point in keeping them if I don't have to.

They are the uninstall files for hotfixes you've installed. You can delete
any or all of them, if you're sure you'll never
want to delete the associated hotfix. See www.dougknox.com, Win XP
Utilities, Remove Hotfix Backup Files.

Personally, unless you need the disk space, I'd recommend leaving them
there, just in case. 700MB may sound like a lot of megabytes, but to put it
into perspective, at today's hard drive prices, that's worth around 25 cents
US or so. And if you need the space that badly, deleting them would just be
a stopgap measure anyway, and you need to buy a larger drive.

 

[Guest]

They are the uninstall files for hotfixes you've installed. You can delete
any or all of them, if you're sure you'll never
want to delete the associated hotfix. See www.dougknox.com, Win XP
Utilities, Remove Hotfix Backup Files.

Personally, unless you need the disk space, I'd recommend leaving them
there, just in case. 700MB may sound like a lot of megabytes, but to put it
into perspective, at today's hard drive prices, that's worth around 25 cents
US or so. And if you need the space that badly, deleting them would just be
a stopgap measure anyway, and you need to buy a larger drive.

You know what Ken, you're right, after all, 700MB is not even your average
divx movie I'll leave them, I'm just a cleaning nut when it comes to my
PC, I wish I was the same for house cleaning but hey. Thanks for the answer
Ken !

 

[yQ6F9T]

-How can I SAFELY remove the backup files from the Windows updates
folder, example, the folder C:\Windows\$NtUninstallKB873339$-

There's a software tool called Update Cleanup that makes it easy to
delete those $NtUninstallKB folders and clean up the related Registry
entries at the same time. It frees up alot of hard disk space.
Although it is not free, you are given a lengthy free trial which is
more than enough time for you to clean up these folders.

You can get a copy at http://www.pcshareware.com/update.htm

Hope this helps.