strange files

[cal]

In the Windows folder, I have a long string of files
labeled $NtUninstallKB (orQ) followed by 6 digits
(starting with 82 or 32, respectively).

What function, if any, do these perform? Can I delete
them?

cal

 

[@drian]

I suspect they are the uninstall files necessary to uninstall patches,
hotfixes or even service packs. I think if you uninstall a patch from
Add/Remove programs, the information to do so, comes from the
respective "$..." directory.

@drian.

 

[Doug Knox MS-MVP]

These are indeed backup files, that were saved when a particular hotfix was
applied to your system. If your system is running well, and you don't need
to remove the hotfixes, then these folders can be removed. See
www.dougknox.com, Win XP Utilties, Remove Hotfix Backup Files for a small
utility that will remove the backups and the associated Registry entries for
Add/Remove Programs.