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Is it safe to remove all those downloaded Windows patches

Last Update: Fri, 01/09/2009 - 21:13 — CecileQ

SW?  HW?   ????
Sorry if this is in the wrong place.  Just saw a post to  here from GAOTDD where they were talking about registry cleaners.

Okay hard drive has filled up and win XP  took to option to add/remove programs.
Most of the stuff is the downloaded "service packs" and security patches.

Do I need all those sitting on the hard drive?  Is it safe to delete from Remove programs or will that actually uninstall them (which I'm thinking I not what I want to do)

TIA

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#1Submitted by CecileQ on Sun, 01/11/2009 - 21:27.

Don't want to uninstall. Don't want to see them either. Just looking for disk space. Don't have CCleaner but will delete from the folder. Thanks #1

#2Submitted by chrisvw on Sun, 01/11/2009 - 19:03.

I've been deleting the Windoze patch installer files for years without any regrets. The simplest way is to use CCleaner and tick the Hotfix Installers option. That cleans it up nicely. Alternatively, go into the Windows folder and delete all the folders starting with $NT.

#3Submitted by Anonymous on Sun, 01/11/2009 - 20:38.

Actually I'm not sure if that would be a good option with Vista. But the option you refer doesn't exist anymore in Ccleaner... unless it is not being displayed with Vista.

#4Submitted by keroffs on Sat, 01/10/2009 - 12:49.

I am not sure what you are asking but, you do not want to uninstall them.
If you do not want to see them on the Add/Remove screen, then uncheck the box at the top of the screen labeled "Show Updates".
Steve

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