Windows Hotfix question

[Guest]

Hi there. Looking through my add/remove programs list I seem to have alot of
Windows 'Hotfix' entries, all of which are noted as not taking up any MB,
they are mostly related to SP2 although I have not installed SP2 on my
machine. Is it safe to remove these programs from the list as they are
taking up alot of space in my add/remove programs list. Hope you can help!

 

[Taurarian]

Removing Old Windows Updates:-
Folders that have uninstall as part of the name (for example $NtUninstallKB282010$
which reside in C:\windows (hidden folders) are Window Hot Fix Update folders/files)
can be safely deleted (providing you never wish to uninstall the updates). I would
recommend leaving these folders for a period of at least a month to make sure the
update is working correctly.

These updates can be deleted individually or in multiples. To find out more about the
update/s go to:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=XXXXXX
NB: XXXXXX = the actual number not including the "Q" or "KB"

Once you have deleted the uninstall folders/files, then go to Control Panel,
Add/Remove Programs. Select the matching Windows Hotfix Title relating the update
folder/file you have just deleted and select remove. You will get a Windows error.
This is because you have deleted the uninstall folder/files. Just choose OK and the
entry will be deleted from the Add/Remove Programs Listing.

If you prefer see:
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_hotfix_backup.htm
Removes Hotfix Backup files and the Add/Remove Programs Registry entries.

 

[Torgeir Bakken \(MVP\)]

Hi there. Looking through my add/remove programs list I seem to have alot of
Windows 'Hotfix' entries, all of which are noted as not taking up any MB,
they are mostly related to SP2 although I have not installed SP2 on my
machine. Is it safe to remove these programs from the list as they are
taking up alot of space in my add/remove programs list. Hope you can help!

Hi

Those are security updates from Microsoft (that will be a integral part
of SP2, therefor the SP2 reference).

Do *not* delete them by running them from Add/Remove Programs (ARP),
this will uninstall important security updates.

To remove the uninstall folders and their corresponding entries in
ARP, you can use this utility by fellow MVP Doug Knox (Windows 2000
and XP):

Remove Hotfix Backup files and the Add/Remove Programs Registry Entries
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_hotfix_backup.htm