Question

Delete MS hotfix and other updates from Add/Remove list?

Asked by: dklauk

I run win2kserver SP4 and notice that I have a ton of MS Hotfix and security updates that in many cases are of size 999MB.  As I add these file sizes up my hard drive is consumed with 6 - 7GB of these updates.

My c:/program files/windowsUpdate folder is empty but I see these files listed in the Add/Remove programs app.  Can these be deleted or removed to, say, an external drive w/o affectting the OS or future MS updates?  I am in need of drive space and can see where my c drive (20GB dive) will ultimately have no space left do to these updates and hotfixes.

Thanks.

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Asked On
2007-04-12 at 06:19:26ID22506947
Topics

Windows XP Operating System

,

Windows NT Operating System

,

Windows 2000 Operating System

Participating Experts
3
Points
250
Comments
6

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Answers

 

by: kane77573Posted on 2007-04-12 at 06:39:08ID: 18897659

 

by: mikeleebrlaPosted on 2007-04-12 at 13:51:31ID: 18901493

kane77573,
none of those links will actually remove the updates. The first two links will just remove them from the add/remove programs list, but will not actually remove the update.  The third link a tool for removing programs, not updates to the OS.

But to answer the question:
>>Can these be deleted or removed to, say, an external drive w/o affectting the OS or future MS >>updates?
bascially no is the answer.  If you are looking to save HD space, removing updates is not the place to look.  You need to move DATA files (documents, pictures, etc), not program files or OS files.



 

by: FixingStuffPosted on 2007-04-13 at 14:55:03ID: 18908769

I have used the following VBscript to clean up the hot fixes and free disk space with no problems:
http://cwashington.netreach.net/depo/view.asp?Index=900

HOTFIXCLEANUP.VBS - It deletes the files, removes logs and cleans up the uninstall list.  The only downside is that you loose the ability to uninstall a specific patch (obviously).
fs

 

by: FixingStuffPosted on 2007-04-13 at 15:00:30ID: 18908795

I should add that the hotfixcleanup should only be run after you have tested recent updates and you are certain that you will not need to uninstall patches.

 

by: dklaukPosted on 2007-04-18 at 12:45:34ID: 18934544

Removing HotFixes and KB updates seems to be an issue of what one is willing to risk.  On the one hand, I agree with FixingStuff that one should remove data and not OS updates.  However, mikeleefria has a way to do the removals--albeit cautiously. Therefore, it boils down to a choice on my part.

Since there is no speciifc solution I will split the points evenly between the two experts mentioned in this message.

Thanks.

Darold

 

by: dklaukPosted on 2007-04-18 at 13:05:07ID: 18934722

Oops!  I Accepted the soltion w/o splitting the points.

Moderator---please change the point awarding to 125 to fixingstuff and 125 to mikeleebria.

thanks.
Darold

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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