location of patches and other MS updates 2

[bshbsh]

I regularly update my XP pro SP2 with updates. The space on my C drive keeps getting smaller. I was wondering if you anyone knows where the update files are stored. After the patch is installed, I want to delete. I saw this folder,
C:\MSOCache
and under Windows I saw some folder names starting with the "$" sign.
Are these folders deletable? Or is there a general folder where all the patch, security update, and service packs are stored which I can delete after the updates are installed.
Please advice.
Thanks.

 

[wolluf]

Hidden compressed folders under \windows, called $NtUninstallKBnnnnnn$ where nnnnnn is the patch number can be deleted if you don't want to uninstall the patches.

 

[goombawaho]

The updates from Windows update are stored here and they automatically delete themselves after a certain number of days after installation is complete.
C:\WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution\Download

The backup files are created here and I suppose you could delete them to clean up some space, but honestly, getting a new hard drive is so cheap any more and you can clone (Ghost or similar) your hard drive to the new one - why bother???? Or you could add another hard drive just for data without any cloning of the OS.

C:\windows\$NtUninstallKB885835$ and similar file names

If you want to see where all your disk space went. I use a great utility (not free but worth the money) called Tree Size Pro. You'll see exactly where the beef is in your file system. Maybe that would help you cut some fat if you don't want to buy a new drive.

You could also cut down the System Restore size.

 

[bshbsh]

Thanks. I agree with the hard drives being so cheap. But this is for a laptop which cannot grow, but must be maintained. Btw, do you know how to cut down the system restore size.
Tx.

 

[Rick998]

I suggest you don't just delete the hidden system folders containing the updates, e.g. C:\Windows\$NtUninstallKB902400$.

If you do then this will leave an orphaned entry in the 'Add or Remove Programs' list for each folder you delete.

To fix this, you would need to delete the corresponding registry key in the 'Uninstall' section of the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE hive, e.g. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\KB902400.

You also need to be aware of the hidden folders that must not be removed, e.g. $hf_mig$.

I suggest a better alternative is to use Doug Knox's excellent 'Remove Hotfix Backup Files' utility, available from

http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_hotfix_backup.htm.

You'll see that this utility removes the corresponding 'Add and Remove Programs' entries. Make sure you note the info about 'System Restore'.

By default, System Restore, Recycle Bin and Internet Explorer are all set to reserve 10% each of the hard disk space for their own use. Yep, on - for example - a 60Gb laptop hard disk, 20Gb is reserved by the OS and browser.

Run Internet Explorer, select 'Tools > Internet Options', delete 'Temporary Internet Files' then change the default setting for 'Temporary Internet Files' to something like 50Mb. 'Apply' the change then 'OK' back out of the dialogs.

Next, empty the 'Recycle Bin' then right-click on it and select 'Properties'. Change the default setting from '10%' to something a little more reasonable. If you use the 'Configure drives independently' option (even if you have only one drive), you can change the setting using Mb instead of percentage. On my laptop I set it to 200Mb because I can't think of a situation where I would need more... but your mileage may vary.

To reduce the default space reserved for 'System Restore', right-click on the 'My Computer' desktop shortcut and select 'Properties' or use the 'System' applet in the 'Control Panel'. Next, select the 'System Restore' tab and change the default settings. I don't use 'System Restore' but, if I did, I would use the 0% (200Mb) minimum setting.

Note that if you turn 'System Restore' off completely then turn it back on again it removes all the 'System Restore' backups and starts afresh. If you don't want to do something this drastic then reduce the amount of space reserved for 'System Restore' then use 'Disk Cleanup'. (Start > Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Cleanup)

On the 'More Options' tab, select the 'Clean up...' button in the 'System Restore' area then click on OK twice.

BTW, in 'Disk Cleanup', use the 'Compress old files' option. It's a bit slow but worth it if your goal is to save hard disk space.

Note that any operation that deletes lots of files from the hard disk will fragment it so, after you've done all your tidying up, I suggest you run 'Disk Defragmenter' (underneath 'Disk Cleanup' in the 'System Tools' menu).

Hope this helps...

 

[eyec]

Rick998

Star for your excellent, concise post on this.

 

[Sympology]

I'd highly recommend something like CC Cleaner. I've ripped up to 600mb back of XP machines. The average is around the 300mb mark.

Stu..

Only the truly stupid believe they know everything.
Stu.. 2004

 

[sggaunt]

All good info from Rick.
I moved all mine to another drive.
Mind you Windows will continue to grow even without these backup files. and regular cleaning and de-fragging wont stop all of it.

Some programs will use the temporary files Global variable as a pointer as to where to store working stuff. and that's on your windows drive by default.
You can gain more space by changing it.
Look in

My computer/system properties/advanced click on environment variables.
You do need to have a clear idea of what you are doing before changing anything here.

I made the mistake of allocation a 5 Gig partition to XP.

Now I have had to buy a new computer (after 7 years) and it has Vista. Doh.




Steve: N.M.N.F.
Playing the blues isn't about feeling better. It's about making other people feel worse.

 

[bshbsh]

Thanks all for the really good info.