do I need these files?

Hi All,

I have a question about the files on my computer.

In Explorer I can see folders that start with $. I think I can remove them, because they are only needed if I want to uninstall any windows updates and patches.

I also have a folder called" SservicePackFiles" can I remove them also?

I installed service pack 2 and I think they are just leftovers.

What about "RegisteredPackages" a whole bunch of folders all starting and ending with {} are they needed?

How about "Downloaded Program Files" and "Downloaded Installationsâ€
Do I need to keep those?

Just trying to clean up and save some space.

Thanks for your input.

Sven

 

I normally delete these 'uninstall' files once I know that the updates/patches are working properly. They will still appear in Add/Remove Programs but are orphans. You could update the registry to remove them but it's unnecessary.

Don't delete the service pack files, I'm talking about those that begin with $Uninstall......

 

Why not? The same reasoning applies to the SP uninstall files as the patch uninstall files.

Regards - Charles

 

Charles

Sorry about the confusion. I have reread my post and I didn't express it very well.

I think Sven is talking about the \ServicePackFiles folder in \Windows which should not be deleted as it may be required, for, say SFC (\i386).

I should have said delete anything with the word 'uninstall' in it which, of course, includes all service pack(s) uninstalls.

 

Thanks to all,

I will only remone the files/folders with the $ in front and back.

Sven

 

Another way to get rid of the orphaned Add/Remove entries:

Using a registry cleaner, among those RegSeeker specifically has an option to remove these Add/Remove entries: Front panel > Installed Applications > Remove invalid Add/Remove entries. RegSeeker http://www.hoverdesk.net/freeware.htm

Prior to SP2, a re-boot would remove these reg entries, no longer, probably because of $hf_mig$ which is a hidden folder which contains info on all the KB patches and is used by MS update to check for out of sequence patching.

Regards - Charles

 

SVEN--

See here.
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,1747237,00.asp
You might want to keep them if you feel you might want to uninstall XP or a Hotfix in the future.
"Downloaded Program Files" are the ActiveX controls that certain sites need to function properly. One is Windows Updates. You can right click|Properties on each of those to see if the Code Base indicates a source you trust and that the Status line says Installed. You can delete any that you do not trust or which are Damaged. If you visit a site that needs one of these Objects in the future, you will be asked if you want to permit another download.
Generally leave them alone unless you find one which is Damaged or comes from an untrustworthy source.
You can learn what each of the Downloaded Installations files do by copying the long name and searching on it at www.google.com. You probably will wan to keep all of them.

 

Hi Jim,

Three points, it is truely useless to keep IE cummulative patches other than the most recent one.

And if after months or longer of running with a patch, uninstalling it may create more problems than any it might solve.

And these $NtUninstall files can and should be backed up for awhile anyway, they can be downloaded and used.

So if anyone has a desire for whatever reason to "clean up" Windows, I don't see any downside to this.

Regards - Charles

 

charlesvar--

That agrees with the pcmag.com article.
When I said "you might want to keep them ", I should have been more specific.